SAM Grant Eligibility

Small and mighty grants

The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation awards “Small and Mighty” grants three times each year.

Organizations with budgets of $300,000 or less that primarily serve Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties have the opportunity to apply. (Please see Traditional Grants if your budget is greater than $300,000.)

The Selby Foundation invests in capital support that will help nonprofits achieve more for those they serve.

Highlights

• The application portal for “Small and Mighty” grants is available three times per year for a one-month period.
• The portal opens on the first business day of February, June, and October, and closes on the first business day of the following month. 
• Notification of award/declination will occur within 90 days of the portal closing.
• Organizations that have been in operation for more than one year are eligible to apply.
• Maximum amount that can be requested is $20,000; minimum requested amount is $5,000.
• Any single item over $10,000 requires submittal of two bids (or quotes); each item less than $10,000 requires one bid or quote.
• The purpose of SAM grants is to invest in larger capital expenses that small organizations may find challenging to purchase. We are unable to fund lists of items that should reasonably be purchased by organizations through operating dollars. 
• If awarded, funds must be spent within six months and a final report submitted detailing the impact of the grant.
• Organizations are eligible to apply six months following approval of their final report.

SAM Funding Guidelines:

Areas of Interest

The Selby Foundation specializes in supporting area non-profits with capital grants. Capital grants support the construction, acquisition and/or renovation of facilities, as well as the purchase of equipment or software. They may also include the costs of related technical services. Projects focusing on education, human services, arts and community projects including history, science, and/or the environment will be given top priority.

Selby funding is generally intended to assist organizations in pursuing strategic goals by leveraging support from a broad base of constituents. As such, applicants who can demonstrate a variety of other funding sources for their project, and/or those who request less than 10% of the total project cost are usually given priority for approval. Organizations are encouraged to compile a list of their future needs and meet with Foundation staff to explore possible fits.

Grant Eligibility Criteria:

• Organizations that can apply are restricted to 501(c)3 non-profit entities that are located within the following four counties: Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.
• Organizations must have less than $300,000 annual operating expenses.
• Requests are generally restricted to capital expenditures.
• Items that are being requested cannot be ordered or any deposits made until notification of award and the execution of the grant acceptance contract.
• Organizations must have been in operation for more than one year.
• If Selby funds had previously been received by the organization, six months must have passed since the final report approval.
• Contacted the Selby organization to discuss the request.

The Foundation does not fund the following:

Expenses:

• • Operating/program expenses
  • Projects that have already been completed
  • Endowments
  • Deficit financing/debt reduction
  • Conferences, seminars, or workshops
  • Travel
  • Surveys, advertising, or marketing materials
  • Research

Entities:

• • Individuals
  • Private K-12 Schools
  • Individual Public K-12 Schools (including Charter Schools and Booster Organizations)
  • Churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and/or any other religious institution
  • Individual Fire or Police Departments (including volunteer organizations)