The Community School Grant Program will not be accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year. Please check back next year for future grant opportunities.
Grant Information
The Florida Legislature established the Community School Grant Program to fund and support the planning and implementation of Community Partnership Schools across the state.
Community Partnership Schools offer integrated academic, social and health services for students, staff, families and community members — all with the goal of improving academic outcomes for children. Services are coordinated and aligned based on identified student and family needs, and they are organized around clearly defined results and outcomes developed in collaboration with core partners.
The Community School Grant Program aims to address critical education needs in public elementary or secondary schools by supporting students in meeting rigorous academic standards through a community school strategy. Pending funding approval, the UCF Center for Community Schools will award up to $80,000 in planning grant funds to selected applicants to support the establishment of new Community Partnership Schools in Florida.
Grant awards must be used to establish a Community Partnership School, including the onboarding of a Community Partnership School Director. Remaining funds may be allocated toward staff, supplies and/or other project-related needs outlined in the proposal and approved by the UCF Center for Community Schools. A 25% cost share of the full award amount is required. The nonprofit core partner is responsible for securing the cost share across the partnership, regardless of when the director is onboarded.
In addition to funding, established partners will receive ongoing training and technical assistance from the UCF Center for Community Schools to support effective planning, implementation and evaluation of the Community Partnership School.
Introduction to Community Partnership Schools (CPS)
Learn more about the Community Partnership School model.
Building and Preparing Your CPS Team
The planning grant application requires a commitment from four or more core partners (a community-based nonprofit, a school district, a university or college, and a healthcare provider) interested in implementing a Community Partnership School in a public elementary or secondary school.
The nonprofit organization must serve as the fiscal agent for the award, be responsible for hiring the CPS director, and demonstrate the capacity to manage fiscal responsibilities under a cost-reimbursable model.
Application Requirements
Provide a summary of the Community Partnership School proposal.
Explain how the proposed Community Partnership School will benefit the community, providing detailed information about the school and broader community the project aims to serve. Highlight existing community assets, explain how needs were identified, and describe how the proposed project will address those needs.
Demonstrate a committed, long-term core partnership consisting of a school district, a university or college, a community-based nonprofit, and a healthcare provider. Describe the roles and contributions of each core partner, including assets they bring to the project.
The application requires letters of support/intent from all core partners and/or a core partner memorandum of understanding (MOU). A letter of support from the school principal must also be included, along with a signed agreement of support from the school district.
Successful Community Partnership Schools are rooted in strong local support. Describe the involvement and commitment of faith leaders, service providers, businesses, community members and other stakeholders who are dedicated to advancing the goals of the community school. Highlight specific contributions — such as services, funding, volunteer hours or in-kind resources — and include quantifiable community assets that will support the school’s success.
Describe the proposed Community Partnership School project in detail. Outline the programs and services to be implemented and explain how they will align with and complement the school’s existing assets, resources and services. Additionally, explain how the proposed programs and services will align to the four CPS pillars of collaborative leadership, expanded learning, wellness supports, and family and community engagement.
Ensuring sustainability by leveraging resources and maintaining a diversified budget is crucial to long-term Community Partnership School success. Partnerships must avoid over-reliance on a single funding source. To be eligible for an award, a portion of the planning-year project budget (at least 25% of the awarded amount) must be supported through other contributions, such as cash and/or in-kind donations.
The application requires a projected Year 1 and Year 3 budget, demonstrating diversified sources of revenue and leveraged resources.
Check back here for future grant opportunities. For more information, email Shannon Elliston.