FHSP and Orlando Health Bayfront award $200,000 to local nonprofits

The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, in partnership with Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, has awarded a total of $200,000 in capacity-building grants to 20 nonprofits operating in South St. Petersburg.

Each organization will receive up to $10,000 after completing the Core Capacity Assessment Tool (CCAT®), a framework used to evaluate internal systems, leadership and operational effectiveness. In addition to the funding, participants will engage in a peer-learning cohort led by the Nonprofit Leadership Center.

The initiative is intended to help nonprofits improve their infrastructure, planning and sustainability. Most recipients focus on community health, education, housing and equity-related work.

This is the second consecutive year that the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg and Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital have partnered on capacity-building grants. In 2024, the initiative – then called the Catalytic Capacity‑Building Initiative – awarded $10,000 to 35 nonprofits, coupling the funding with at least four cohort training sessions for recipients and other local organizations.

In 2023 and early 2024, the partners jointly awarded a total of $4.8 million to 30 organizations, with amounts ranging from $10,000 for capacity-building efforts up to $500,000 for collaborative, multisector projects targeting health and economic equity in South St. Petersburg

A full list of grant recipients and descriptions of how each group plans to use the funding is below.

Capacity-Building Grant Recipients
(Each awarded $10,000 following CCAT® completion)

• THE BURG CARES, INC. — Strengthening infrastructure, board governanc, and nutrition/wellness initiatives in South St. Pete.

• ACADEMY PREP CENTER OF ST. PETERSBURG, INC. — Enhancing systems, leadership and sustainability to expand support for students and families.

• BRAIDING WITH A TWIST SALON, INC. — Developing a strategic plan and roadmap for organizational growth.

• CANGUROS, INC. — Investing in professional development, fund development and planning to improve educational access.

• ALL THE WORLD’S KIDS, INC. — Expanding a mobile community workshop focused on youth leadership and engagement.

• COMMUNITY TAMPA BAY, INC. — Implementing CCAT® findings to improve internal processes.

• DOS CRESCENT FOUNDATION, INC. — Strengthening community relationships and engagement.

• ELEVATING QUEENS, INC. — Addressing internal capacity challenges through CCAT® and peer learning.

• FELONS AIN’T FAILURES 42 CORP — Improving financial systems, board operations and tech infrastructure for justice-impacted communities.

• GULF COAST JEWISH FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC. — Using CCAT® to assess and improve leadership, adaptability and culture.

• JAMES B. SANDERLIN FAMILY SERVICE CENTER INC. — Enhancing donation tracking, financial systems, and leadership ahead of a capital campaign.

• MOUNT ZION HUMAN SERVICES, INC. — Increasing operational efficiency and sustainability through targeted training.

• THE PACKS OF LOVE FOUNDATION, INC. — Supporting foster care youth in specific zip codes through strategic improvements.

• PINELLAS OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL, INC. — Expanding donor outreach and fund development.

• MUSEUM OF MOTHERHOOD — Expanding caregiver-focused mental health and wellness programs.

• SENIORS IN SERVICE OF TAMPA BAY — Evaluating systems and staff development needs in response to organizational growth.

• THE SHIRLEY PROCTOR PULLER FOUNDATION, INC. — Supporting long-term growth aimed at increasing the number of students served annually.

• ST. PETERSBURG NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES, INC. — Expanding housing counseling services for low-to-moderate-income families.

• TAMPA BAY COLLARD GREEN FESTIVAL INC. — Improving digital marketing and communications infrastructure.

• URBAN FOOD PARK, INC. DBA 15TH STREET FARM — Improving operations and income strategy to support programming.