PRO 2026-07 Water Safety Leading Grant

The PRO 2026-07 Water Safety Leading Grant aims to fund initiatives that enhance water safety for children and families in Hillsborough County. Approved by the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, the grant focuses on collaborative service delivery addressing urgent community needs. Grantees will provide education, swimming lessons, and safety resources while meeting strategic outcomes. This grant prioritizes children aged 1 to 18 and their caregivers, ensuring a comprehensive approach to preventing drownings and promoting family support.

On September 25, 2025, the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County (CBHC) approved the release of this competitive Leading Grant Request for Proposals (RFP), a contract awarded to an organization that primarily serves a specific region with a collaborative approach to service delivery that supports at least one strategic focus area; proposes to meet an emerging need; or serves a priority population. Leading Grants are expected to meet at least three measurable outcomes annually.
Statement of Purpose
To fund multiple direct service grants that support prevention efforts to engage children, youth and their families across the county in water safety. Services must reflect best practices for service delivery, and the RFP is open in the following Children’s Board focus areas: Children are Healthy and Safe and Family Support.
Services:
The selected grantee(s) will help our community prevent drowning by providing services that contribute to a collective effort to meet the following expectations:
Parent/Caregiver and child water education on land;Swimming lessons for children ages 5 to 18 (unless Medicaid eligible) with adaptations to support children with varying abilities;Swimming lessons and parent /caregiver education for children ages 1 to 4, with adaptations to support children with varying abilities;Education and distribution of water safety resources, equipment and products;Lifeguard and safety training/certification; and/orPublic safety campaign messages.
Priority Populations:

• Children ages one to eighteen years of age and their parents/caregivers
• Upon award, Grantees will be expected to:

Follow Children’s Board special branding conditions involving media, press releases, or promotions.Meet with all awarded grantees and community stakeholders to leverage water safety opportunities and share resources.Meet the needs of family schedules residing throughout Hillsborough County.

Eligibility

CBHC is seeking proposals from nonprofit organizations to promote water safety and education in Hillsborough County and prevent needless deaths among children.This service priority was identified during strategic planning and community engagement activities.Geographic Focus to address needs:  Hillsborough County

Ineligibility

Not seeking to fund:         Sub-contracted services;Virtual Services required for service delivery.