Manatee Community Foundation: Competitive Grants for Animal Welfare

Q: When is the deadline for Manatee Community Foundation: Competitive Grants for Animal Welfare?

The funder has not published a deadline for this grant.

Q: Who is eligible for Manatee Community Foundation: Competitive Grants for Animal Welfare?

Geography: In Manatee County. Not funded: Individual grants; Political campaigns; Unrelated charities; Grants to individuals.

Manatee Community Foundation Inc

Foundation Grants for Nonprofits Grants for Animal Rescue Wildlife Grants

Funding Amount

Up to US $15,000

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Geography

In Manatee County

Not eligible / not funded

Not eligible: Individual grants
Not eligible: Political campaigns
Not eligible: Unrelated charities
Not eligible: Grants to individuals
Not eligible: Conduit organizations that fund unrelated charities
Not eligible: Lobbying
Not eligible: Scholarly research
Not eligible: Annual campaigns
Not eligible: Event sponsorships
Not eligible: Team or sport travel
Not eligible: Travel-related expenses
Not eligible: Food pantries

Overview

The Manatee Community Foundation offers competitive grants aimed at enhancing animal welfare in Manatee County. Focus areas include animal rescue, veterinary access for low-income pet owners, and wildlife conservation. The foundation prioritizes organizations that serve the local community and demonstrate effective governance. They do not fund individual grants, political campaigns, or unrelated charities. Established in 1998, the foundation has invested over $65 million in community initiatives, showcasing its commitment to philanthropy and service.

Our Mission & History
Dorothy S. (Dot) Ridings, a former Publisher of The Bradenton Herald, originally proposed the concept of Manatee Community Foundation, and in June of 1998, the Manatee Community Foundation was incorporated.
As part of an initiative to start, support and grow community foundations in its 26 newspaper communities, the Knight Foundation challenged the new Manatee Community Foundation’s board to raise the first $1 million of endowment funds for Manatee County.
Fast forward to 2016 after we occupied several buildings, partnered with hundreds of donor advisors, and created many legacy funds, Manatee Community Foundation moved into a newly renovated 5,000 square foot building on Manatee Avenue, the Gene and Anne Beckstein Center. Our building allows staff to grow and the organization to better serve the community with meeting room space. In 2025, we celebrated our 27th anniversary, with a milestone: having invested over $65 million in the communities we serve.
Areas of Focus:

Animal rescue and sheltering
Spay/neuter and population control programs
Veterinary access for low-income pet owners
Wildlife conservation and rehabilitation
Humane education and responsible pet ownership
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs for community cats
Emergency response for animals during disasters
Adoption and foster care programs
Equine therapy or animal-assisted therapy

Ineligibility

Manatee Community Foundation does not fund:Grants to individuals

What Manatee Community Foundation Inc actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

Grants in 2025: 131
Total given: $4.5M
Median grant: $15K
Range: $5,100–$645K

By dollars: Florida 89%, Montana 3%, Ohio 3%. Top recipient cities: Bradenton, FL; Sarasota, FL; Tampa, FL.
0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
24% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

Easter Seals Southwest Florida Inc · Sarasota, FL

Human services

$645K
Manatee Education Foundation · Bradenton, FL

Education

$364K
Mote Marine Laboratory · Sarasota, FL

Environmental quality, protection, and beautification

$186K
Library Foundation Inc DBA Manatee County Public Library Foundation · Bradenton, FL

Public, society benefit (includes veterans)

$160K
Community Foundation of Sarasota County Inc · Sarasota, FL

Human services

$156K