Collaboratory opens applications for $50K Community Impact Grant

FORT MYERS, Fla. - EntSun -- Collaboratory is now accepting applications through Oct. 5 for a Community Impact Grant, a $50,000 funding opportunity that will fund one innovative project that creates sustainable, measurable improvements in Southwest Florida through systems-level change.

This grant cycle seeks projects that address one of three Community Infrastructure Coalition System-Level Indicators: housing and transportation affordability, food environment score, or percentage of residents with access to high-speed internet. The Community Impact Grant will invest in collaborative solutions that tackle the root causes of regional challenges and improve quality of life for residents in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry or Lee counties.

Eligible applicants include tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, and colleges and universities that primarily serve residents within Collaboratory's five-county region.

"Community Impact Grants reflect the generosity and vision of donors who have entrusted their funds to Collaboratory to invest in lasting change across Southwest Florida," said Dawn Belamarich, president and CEO of Collaboratory. "We're looking for bold, innovative ideas that strengthen our communities, inspire collaboration and create measurable results that will benefit Southwest Florida for years to come."

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Collaboratory will award one $50,000 grant to support a project over a 12-month period.

Applications are open through Oct. 5, 2026. Learn more, review eligibility requirements or begin an application at Collaboratory.org/Grantmaking. Questions may be directed to funding@collaboratory.org.

About Collaboratory
Collaboratory is Southwest Florida's regional community foundation and convener, committed to coordinating solutions to the region's most pressing social challenges by 2040. For more than 50 years, Collaboratory has mobilized philanthropy and stewarded more than $147 million in charitable investments across a five-county region by bringing together nonprofits, education, government and private-sector partners to drive systems-level change. Through grantmaking, scholarship administration, community research, capacity building and cross-sector collaboration, Collaboratory aligns resources, talent and data to ensure donor dollars are strategically invested for measurable, lasting impact and a stronger, more resilient Southwest Florida. To learn more and get involved, call 239-274-5900 or visit www.Collaboratory.org.