The Heron Creek Community Foundation (HCCF) Board of Directors are pleased to offer financial support to non-profit organizations that serve the citizens of North Port. Our challenge and vision are to support those organizations that have the greatest impact on our community, supporting both reactive and proactive needs. The HCCF grants committee is dedicated to identifying programs where we can have the greatest positive impact as our community continues to grow and evolve, adapting to our social and economic changes. Our mission remains the same, “to financially support qualified charitable organizations which serve the citizens of North Port and improve the quality of life within the local community.”
Use of Grant Proceeds:
While grant proceeds are intended for either purchasing assets or to assist with operating costs of your organization, you must demonstrate that grant proceeds will be used to address the more critical needs of the citizens of North Port, such as food, clothing, shelter, health care or education.
- Applicants must be a current 501 (c) (3) organization as of January 1, 2024, and they must provide an IRS tax-exempt letter of determination from IRS to that effect.
- Grant proceeds must be utilized to serve the citizens of North Port, FL.
- Organizations must have been in full operation for at least one calendar year prior to the submission of a grant application.
- Applicants must allow HCCF to conduct pre-grant and post-grant site visits.
- Grant proceeds must be utilized within six months of receipt unless an exemption is specifically approved in writing by HCCF.
- All grant awards to first time recipients will not exceed $5,000.
Grant recipients will be required to submit a letter acknowledging the receipt of funds. Said letter shall be results-oriented to demonstrate that the funds were used for the intended purpose and the impact it has made on your organization. Failure to submit the results-oriented letter may exclude your organization from future HCCF grant awards.
Application Process
Organizations in search of HCCF Grants must submit a grant request through the HCCF website www.heroncreekfoundation.org. Once the application is received, the requestor will receive the formal grant application paperwork via email with specific instructions and deadline information. Applications will be evaluated by the Grants Committee and voted on by the Board of Directors, after which the applicant of record will be notified of our decision.
Questions about application or procedures:
HCCF understands the time involved in submitting a grant proposal. It is strongly suggested that before an organization commits to writing a grant proposal a designated person email us with any questions, to determine if the proposed program meets our vision. You may send questions to grants@heroncreekfoundation.org. Since we are a volunteer organization, we suggest you contact us sooner rather than later during the grant cycle, which typically begins in the third quarter of each calendar year.
Apply for a Grant
Eligible organizations may apply for a grant directly through the HCCF website. Charitable organizations are encouraged to contact the Foundation to see if their request is within our guidelines before spending its staff and volunteer time writing a grant proposal.