Grants

2027 GRANT GUIDELINES

The League Club (TLC) provides charitable funding to nonprofits serving Collier and Lee counties that are classified by the IRS as 501(c)(3) organizations or defined by the IRS as eligible entities that provide charitable services to their community. Each year The League Club strives to identify agencies that best serve human service needs of at-risk residents across the two counties and whose sustainable project requests are clearly stated with measurable behavioral outcomes.  More specifically, we seek to fund projects that

• Ensure access to critical care services that impact behavioral and physical health.
• Support opportunities to enhance educational outcomes for children and adults.
• Promote environmental education and the implementation of strategies to help conserve natural resources.
• Provide arts education and participation opportunities with an emphasis on underserved students.

There are three categories of grants for which eligible applicants may now apply. However, please note that agencies can only apply for one type of grant each year. Multiple applications are not allowed.

• Small Grants – Requests of up to $9,999.  Recognizing that many smaller agencies are all-volunteer and/or have minimal paid staff and whose services often coincide with the school year, we are providing the opportunity for Small Grant awards.  Small Grants have a streamlined application process utilizing only the Letter of Intent (LOI), are decided in the fall,  and funded in December.  This funding schedule aligns better with the school year.Eligible agencies must have a total annual budget under $5MM and have completed at least one full year of operation after securing the 501 (c)(3) designation from the IRS.
• Medium Grants – Requests between $10,000- $49,999Eligible agencies must have a 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS: may have annual budget of any size; and may or may not have received a League Club grant in the past. The grant process for this tier will follow the “traditional CIC process,” including submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI) by the June deadline, Screening committee review of the agency LOI between July-October, grant proposal submission by early November, and active consideration by the full CIC Committee in January-February.   Successful Projects will be funded in April of 2027.
•  Large Grants – Over $50,000+These grants are especially impactful for our community and eligible agencies are restricted to those that have a 501(c)(3) IRS designation, have received a League Club grant in the recent past and have demonstrated successful project outcomes through their Final Report(s).  The grant process for this category is the same as for Medium Grants.

All agencies will be considered equally within the above framework of these guidelines. In addition, The League Club may give special consideration to projects that include at least one of the following criteria: requests which

• Originate from all-volunteer agencies.
• Include matching gifts, collaborations, or have secured additional funding.
• Create innovative programs, and/or provide volunteer opportunities.

Typically, grants will not be made for:

• Needs required before the April allocation of funds
• Projects that serve only a few people
• Salaries, except under special circumstances for persons requiring specialized skill sets necessary for the fulfillment of the specific project

Grants will NOT be made for:

• Operating, Labor, and Administrative costs more than 25% of the requested grant amount from The League Club.
• Endowments
• Debt retirement
• Individuals
• For-profit businesses
• Government agencies
• Labor organizations
• Scholarly research
• Conduit organizations that fund unrelated charities
• Event Sponsorships
• Lobbying, advocacy or political campaigns
• Religious organizations for religious purposes
• Projects that benefit residents outside of Lee and Collier Counties
• Unrestricted purposes except in cases of emergency, i.e., hurricanes, pandemics
• Capital campaigns except under special circumstances determined by the CIC committee

Important Note: TLC Conflict of Interest – Members of The League Club may not sign a Letter of Intent, Grant Application, or Grant Contract or make a presentation to CIC, or accept a grant check on behalf of any organization or be in any Grant Award photo. In addition, CIC members with a conflict of interest with an agency must recuse themselves from discussion and voting on that agency’s applications. (Per TLC Standing Rule 12a & 12b.)