The Alachua County Commission is accepting applications for its Small Grant Initiative (SGI), a funding program designed to support eligible nonprofit grassroots organizations and emerging small businesses serving Alachua County residents.
According to an Alachua County press release, the initiative provides grants of up to $5,000 for one-time capacity-building or infrastructure improvement projects that benefit residents living at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
Eligible emerging small businesses are defined as organizations with 25 or fewer permanent, full-time employees and a net worth of no more than $1 million.
Grant-funded projects must address at least one of the following priority areas:
- Safe, affordable housing
- Adequate food
- Quality health care
- Quality child care and education
Organizations may submit one application through the county’s OpenGov portal. All applications must be submitted electronically by 2 p.m. on Aug. 26. The complete Request for Applications, eligibility requirements and application instructions are also available on the same website.
County officials said late applications will not be accepted and submissions that do not meet grant requirements will be rejected.
The grant period is scheduled to run from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027, pending appropriation by the Alachua County Commission.
To assist prospective applicants, the county will host an optional pre-application workshop at 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7 in Conference Room A at the Alachua County Community Support Services Building, 218 SE 24th St., Gainesville. A virtual attendance option will also be available via Zoom.
The workshop will provide an overview of the application process, guidance on using the OpenGov portal and tips for preparing a competitive proposal.
For more information, contact Community Initiatives and Grants Program Manager Trelany Pennington at 352-264-6707 or tpennington@alachuacounty.gov.