The Tampa Bay Times Fund provides philanthropic support for not-for-profit organizations in west-central Florida. 

What We Fund
The Fund provides funding in these general categories: education, arts/culture, social services and journalism. The focus is primarily on helping to improve the quality of life in the Times' audience area: Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties.

Because of its commitment to journalism practiced with precision and integrity, the Fund also gives generously to universities that teach journalism and to industry groups that provide training and support for professional journalists.

In addition, the Matching Grants to Education program allows current and retired staff of the Times Publishing Co. and its affiliates to support the colleges, universities and other schools above the high school level from which they have graduated. The maximum match per year is $5,000 per staffer or retiree.

The Fund also provides a dollar-for-dollar match of staffers’ and retirees’ contributions to the annual Employee Giving Campaign, which supports local United Ways, Arts and Education organizations.

For current Times employees, the Fund also offers a program of matching grants to nonprofits. Employee contributions are matched dollar for dollar up to $1,000 per year.

What We Don't Fund
Like most organizations or foundations, the Fund has limited resources and cannot fund all the requests it receives. As a rule, grants are not made to:

• Individuals.
• Groups that do not have the 501(c) 3 status (non-profit) as determined by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
• Organized religions, individual churches or groups with religious affiliations.
• Politicians, political-action committees or legislative-advocacy groups or projects.
• Loan programs or annual fund drives.
• Golf tournaments, raffles, local fund drives, fraternal groups, athletic teams, bands, school newspapers or yearbooks, veterans organizations, volunteer firefighters and other such groups. (Their numbers surpass the Fund’s ability to provide consistent, meaningful assistance.)
• Organizations that advocate discrimination of any kind.

The Fund also does not provide financial help to organizations, projects or programs that pose a conflict — or have the potential to pose a conflict — with the independence of the news gathering of any publications, electronic or in print, produced by Times Publishing Co. 

How To Apply
Grant Application: The Process Starts With a Concept Letter

Nonprofits should send a concept letter (no more than 2 pages) describing the program. If the request lies within the Fund's scope, the agency will be invited to complete a more detailed application. Elaborate presentations are not required, although a site visit is standard for agencies new to the Fund.

If the concept letter is approved, the agency will be invited to complete the full grant application. The application form will be provided by the Fund's director. Applicants may submit ONLY ONE request per calendar year (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31).

The Grants Committee meets quarterly (March, June, September). The size of a grant generally does not exceed $25,000. The maximum funding period is three years. (The typical grant ranges in size from $1,000 to $10,000.)

Applicants will be notified about the Grant Committee's decisions within 30 days of review. In most cases, checks are processed immediately. 

Deadlines for CONCEPT Letters
(starts the process and MUST be provided.)

Arts/Culture - February 1
Education - April 1
Social Services - July 1 

Send by e mail to nealybrown@tampabay.com OR by USPS to Jounice Nealy-Brown, Tampa Bay Times, 490 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.  

Deadlines For FULL applications
(IF the concept letter is approved.)

Arts/Culture - March 1
Education - May 1
Social Services - August 1

Note: If the deadline date falls on a weekend, the application is due by 5 p.m. on the previous business day. The completed application (one copy only) should be mailed to Jounice Nealy-Brown, Tampa Bay Times, 490 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 by the deadline date OR dropped off at the Times/Fund's office at 490 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

Contact Information:
If you have questions, please call Jounice Nealy-Brown at 727-893-8289 or send an e-mail to nealybrown@tampabay.com