GRANT GUIDELINES

 

The Couch Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in Tampa by Mr. and Mrs. Ted Couch to continue the family philanthropic tradition of enhancing the quality of life in the communities of Tampa and Hillsborough County through grants to qualified charitable organizations.

 

In carrying out our mission, the Foundation considers a wide range of proposals with the following areas:  the poor, religious organizations, education, and medical advancement.  The Foundation encourages collaborative efforts and integrated, comprehensive proposals.

FUNDING POLICIES

 

Grants are made only to nonprofit charitable organizations that are tax exempt under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or to public governmental units. Generally, grants are limited to projects that benefit the citizens of Tampa and Hillsborough County in Florida. Occasionally, projects that benefit the communities where the trustees of the Foundation reside may be considered. The Foundation prefers to support proposals for new initiatives, special projects, expansion of current programs. Funding priority is given to smaller 501(c)(3) organizations with annual budgets of $1 million or less and to proposals requesting matching funds.

 

The Foundation does not consider support for annual campaigns, endowments or sectarian religious activities. Grants are typically not made to individuals unless in the form of a specialized scholarship.

 

Grants from the Foundation are usually awarded for one year only. For projects in those areas in which the Foundation has a special interest, request for multi-year funding and general operating support may be considered.

 

Only one grant application may be submitted in any twelve-month period. Organizations receiving grants are required to complete an evaluation report within twelve months after receipt of the funds.

REVIEW PROCESS

 

The board meets semiannually to consider grant requests.

 

Upon receipt of the completed proposal, staff may request additional information or schedule a site visit.  Members of the Board of Directors prefer not to be contacted directly.

 

GRANT APPLICATION

 

The Couch Family Foundation awards grants by invitation only.

 

We do not accept unsolicited applications for grants, though we do accept brief inquiries from organizations whose work is closely aligned with our priorities. However, only on very rare occasions does an invitation to apply for funding result from an unsolicited inquiry. If -- after thoroughly reviewing the information provided here on our website -- you believe your organization is a strong fit with our funding priorities, you may submit a Letter of Inquiry.

 

Please keep your letter of inquiry to no more than two (2) pages.

 

Please include the following information:

 

- A description of the project or program, objectives, constituents served, and methodology to achieve your desired outcomes. Please be as specific as possible about how you see the fit between the work you do and our priorities.

 

- Organizational mission, statement of need and brief description of current programs.

 

- Funding amount request, budget amount of project and/or organizational budget amount, current major sources of funding for both project and organization.

 

Grant applicants: Click HERE to submit your LOI attached as a PDF.

 

Grant recipients: Please click HERE to complete the required evaluation form