Foundation for a Healthy St. Pete launches new capacity-building initiative

The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg (FHSP) is kicking off a new initiative to empower local nonprofits and community members. 

The Catalytic Capacity-Building Initiative is a dual-pronged approach, offering both grant funding and comprehensive training sessions. The Foundation has set aside funds to award up to 25 grants of $10,000 each. The grants are open to nonprofits of any size, regardless of their budget or the length of time they’ve held their nonprofit status. According to FHSP, the goal is to ensure organizations of all sizes have a chance to benefit from the funding.

Current funded partners of FHSP are not eligible to receive funding. However, if they are a collaborator or contractor on a current funded project but not the grant holder themselves, they may apply.

In order to receive the grant funding, applicants must attend at least four of eight capacity-building training sessions FHSP will offer through the initiative. The sessions are designed to provide insights and tools to help nonprofits strengthen their operations, improve their programs, and ultimately, amplify their reach in the community.

The Catalytic Capacity-Building Initiative is a collaborative effort between the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg and Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital. The hospital has issued a dollar-for-dollar match of the Foundation’s remaining 2024 grantmaking funds, allowing them to award a total of $250,000 for this program. This is in addition to the $4.8 million the Foundation has already awarded for 2023 and 2024.

“The dual structure of this opportunity, which invests in capacity building funding and training for local not-for-profits will help strengthen our community in important and necessary ways,” said FHSP President and CEO Kanika Tomalin. “We’re excited to collaborate with Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital to offer these critical resources.”

“Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital’s partnership with the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg not only assists our grant recipients, it also extends opportunities to all non-profit community groups,” said John Moore, President of Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital and Senior Vice President, Orlando Health, West Region.

The capacity-building training sessions aren’t just for grant applicants; FHSP has made them open to all nonprofits and community members. The free sessions provide nonprofit leaders a chance to learn from experts, network and gain the knowledge and skills to improve their organizations.

“As we work to advance racially equitable health outcomes in South St. Petersburg, it’s important that we create equitable opportunities for people and organizations to grow in ways that enable their aspirations and efforts to expand service in our community,” Tomalin added. “All of the not-for-profits and community members that serve and are anchored in our community are welcome to attend our Catalytic Capacity-Building training sessions, regardless of whether they receive Foundation funding.”

FHSP will host a kick-off event to introduce its new Catalytic Capacity-Building Grants and Sessions May 10 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at its Center for Health Equity in South St. Pete. The event is free, but participants are asked to register in advance online.

“Friday’s session on Catalytic Capacity-Building Grants kicks off a great series aimed at helping local non-profit organizations serve their communities more effectively,” Moore added.

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