Palm Beach International Boat Show Gives Back Program

Grants provided to nonprofit organizations in Palm Beach County to underwrite environmental and marine education programs, and waterfront projects in downtown West Palm Beach that serve West Palm Beach residents and visitors.

Geographic Scope: Palm Beach County, Florida

Background

The Palm Beach International Boat Show Gives Back program is funded through proceeds from the annual Palm Beach International Boat Show held in March in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Boat Show has been produced annually for more than 40 years and makes a major economic impact on the region ($1.05 billion statewide, $163.1 million in Palm Beach County). In 2023, the tradition of community giving was enhanced through a commitment to provide substantially larger funding each year. Funding comes from PBIBS ticket sales, optional ticket price add-ons, and other boat show-related activities.

Eligible Focus Areas

• Marine and environmental education programs
• Waterfront projects that enhance the Palm Beach County waterfront
• Educational activities, curriculum development, field trips, outreach, in-house programs
• Public art, cultural activities, and small capital projects

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization as defined by the Internal Revenue Service
• Must be in existence for at least three years
• Must be based or operating in Palm Beach County
• Must submit current annual budget
• No grants to individuals
• Recipients can only request funds for one program or project

Expenses NOT Allowed

• Salaries and administrative fees
• Accounting fees
• Legal fees

Award Details

• Maximum award: Up to $25,000 per organization annually
• Preference: Given to proposals that provide matching funds
• Project timeline: Programs must take place within one year, starting in February 2026 and ending no later than November 2026

Recognition Requirements

All organizations who receive funding are required to recognize the Palm Beach International Boat Show Gives Back program (details in grant awardee's contract).

Contact Information

Address: 1208 US Highway One, Suite B, North Palm Beach, FL 33408

Application Process

Timeline:

• August 2026: Grant application opens
• October 2026: Grant application closes
• October 2026 - December 2026: Grant applications reviewed
• November 30, 2026: 2026 Grant awards reports due
• December 2026: Grant awards announced and recipients notified
• January 2027: Grant awards cocktail reception

Required Application Materials

1. Completed Grant Application form
2. Copy of the 501(c)(3) determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service
3. A list of current officers and board of directors
4. Budget for the program or project for which funds are requested
5. Current year annual operating budget for the organization applying
6. Copy of the organization's most recent 990 filed with the Internal Revenue Service
7. Copy of the organization's most recent Audited Financial Statement
8. Any agreements with partners for the potential project or program, if applicable
9. Letters of support (optional)

Submission Instructions

• Submit PDF application to: info@marinepbc.org
• Print Application available (opens PDF)
• Contact via email if you encounter any issues

Review Criteria and Scoring

A panel of local leaders will review and score all eligible grant applications annually using the following scoring criteria:

• Alignment with the Palm Beach International Boat Show Gives Back program – 40 points
• Impact of the program or project as measured by the number of people affected and/or its promotional value – 40 points
• Administrative and fiduciary excellence of the organization – 10 points
• Matching funds provided – 5 points
• Meaningful attention to inclusion of diverse participants and audiences – 5 points