Grant Application Process

Please note that the Fund’s grant application process and funding guidelines have changed effective 2012. Please carefully read the guidelines below to determine whether your organization qualifies as a grant recipient.

To apply, download the application and follow the instructions on the form.

Click here for the grant application

Giving Philosophy

A community is as strong as its roots. The Orlando Sentinel Family Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund, is committed to nurturing the growth of Central Florida by providing financial assistance to qualified organizations that serve the needs of the community. Through the Orlando Sentinel Family Fund, the Orlando Sentinel supports programs that will:

Have long-term, positive impact on the community.
Reflect the cultural diversity of our citizens.
Meet the needs of targeted and under-serviced populations.

General Guidelines

Through the Orlando Sentinel Family Fund, the McCormick Foundation will make grants to organizations with 501(c)(3) status serving Central Florida with emphasis on Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake and W. Volusia counties that help low-income children and families in response to applications for the following areas of support:

Requesting organizations should have an annual operating budget of $100,000 or more.
Organizations should have at least a three to five year operating history.
Organizations may apply once annually.
Programs must serve at least 75% low-income clients.

Application Procedure

Click here for grant deadlines

Deliver to:
Orlando Sentinel Family Fund
Attn: Lisa Jacobsen
633 N. Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
Telephone: (407) 420-5705

PLEASE BE SURE TO INCLUDE ONE ORIGINAL AND ONE COPY OF EVERYTHING, INCLUDING ATTACHMENTS. PLEASE DO NOT STAPLE PACKETS.

ORGANIZATIONS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF STATUS.

Geographic priority:
Organizations with programs in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake & West Volusia counties.

The Orlando Sentinel Family Fund does not typically make grants for:

General operating expenses. It is preferred that funding be directed to a program or service that meets an identified need.
Religious organizations for religious purposes. We typically don’t fund private schools or organizations whose members would be the primary beneficiaries. Exceptions: Religious-based organizations that provide a needed non-religious service that is available to any segment of the population.
Individuals; trucks or vans; web site design, implementation and maintenance.
Medical or health-related organizations, except as noted in program guidelines.
Capital requests for building and/or major improvements. Exceptions: Capital requests for equipment/supplies that are critical to the delivery of a program of service including computers, printers and off-the-shelf software.

Evaluation Grants

If you are interested in using part of your grant to support your organization’s effort to effectively track and measure the outcomes of your program:

To apply, download the application and follow the instructions on the form.

Click here for the Evaluation grant application

All agencies that request any type of technical assistance or grants for evaluation/outcomes MUST complete this in addition to their regular application. Both applications must be submitted together by the grant deadline.

There are no additional funds available for evaluation grants. Monies requested in the evaluation grants will be within the confines of your normal grant request and only one check will be sent. (Example – if you are requesting a grant for $10,000 and would like $3,000 to enhance your outcomes measurement process, if approved, your grant check will be for $10,000 – not $13,000.)

Deliver to:
Orlando Sentinel Family Fund
Attn: Lisa Jacobsen
633 N. Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
407.420.5705