The Foundation is deeply committed to the well-being of all residents of Palm Beach and southern Martin Counties. Funding requests should be targeted to improving the quality of life for the underserved disadvantaged.

The Foundation's geographic area of concern extends from Delray Beach in southern Palm Beach County to Hobe Sound/Indiantown in southern Martin County and from Palm Beach/Lake Worth in eastern Palm Beach County to the western communities of the Glades region. Priority may be given to requests that benefit the residents of Riviera Beach. 

In determining the merits and priority of an application, particular consideration will be given to:

• The seriousness of the problem and adequacy of the proposed action
• The degree to which the proposal enables individuals to help themselves
• The capability of the organization and its personnel to achieve the expected results
• The degree of potential benefit to the community
• The capacity of the project to add scale to the organization’s mission or expand the constituency served

The Foundation’s funding targets helping those most in need. Our Funding Categories are focused on organizations and projects that address:

• Health
• Hunger
• Homelessness
• Education

We are primarily interested in projects that benefit one or more of the following populations:

• Children & Families
• Individuals with Special Needs
• Seniors

Grants are awarded primarily for capital needs.  Examples include:

• New construction projects
• Building renovations
• Transportation and equipment purchases
• Office furnishings for expansion projects
• Technology and software
• Medical equipment and furniture

Grant awards range from $5,000 to $100,000.

Larger requests MAY be considered for high impact, transformative construction projects. Applicants should contact the Foundation prior to submitting a request for more than $100,000 or any request for program support.

Requests for general program funding MAY be considered but agencies are strongly encouraged to look to other sources of funding for this type of support.

All organizations requesting support must demonstrate stability and have committed program support. Current financial statements are required.  The organization should demonstrate that it has a healthy funding mix and/or is making progress towards diversifying its funding base.

The Foundation welcomes and encourages matching grants and looks for projects that have multiple sources of funding along with strong support from the organization’s board of directors.

Funding commitments are typically awarded on a year-to-year basis. A grant awarded in one year does not guarantee future support.

All applicants must agree not to solicit additional support from individual volunteers representing Lost Tree Foundation before, during or after site visits.

If an award is received, you must agree and adhere to the grant conditions.

We do not fund:

• Agencies located outside the Foundation’s geographic area
• Grants for individuals
• Grants for municipalities or other governmental units or agencies
• Grants to national organizations unless funds are for the local chapter and will benefit local residents
• Grants to private foundations
• Grants to international organizations
• Grants for new agency start-up costs
• Grants to any individual public or private elementary, middle or high school, except for individual charter schools serving children with special needs
• Grants for administrative computers
• Grants for seminars and special events
• Endowments or general operating support
• Grants for sectarian or religious purposes
• General animal and environmental programs, except for certain educational outreach programs
• Grants to lobby legislation or influence public elections
• General grants for arts and theater
• Grants for existing obligations (loans, debts, etc.) or for items that have already been paid for (reimbursement grants)
• The Foundation does not typically provide funding during a time of executive transition

• Applicants must complete and submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) by Monday, August 19th, 2024. LOIs must be submitted online through our Grants Portal. You will be automatically notified when your LOI has been successfully submitted into the system. Paper applications will not be accepted.

• Applicants will be notified by late October if their LOI is being considered for funding.

• Successful applicants will then be invited to submit a complete grant request by late November.

• Selected requests will be scheduled for site visits by members of the Grants Committee between December and April.

• Grants are awarded on a rolling basis from December through May.

• Applicants must notify the Foundation if there are any changes to their grant request/s after the proposal is submitted and before a scheduled site visit.

• Priorities for funding will vary from time to time. Even though a project meets established criteria, it may not be selected for a site visit because of limited funds or other reasons.

• If a grant is awarded, the recipients will be advised of the amount and complete terms of the grant after the Grants Committee review.

• Recipients are required to sign a Grant Contract. (Conditions of the contract should be reviewed before submitting an application.)

• At the conclusion of the funded project, grantees are required to complete a Grant Accountability Report online detailing how the funds were used.

• When a grant covering less than the total cost of the requested capital item or project is awarded, Foundation funds may not be released until all monies needed to purchase the item or complete the project are in hand.

• The decisions of the Grants Committee are final.

You agree that your grant shall be used exclusively for the purpose originally requested. Any modifications must be approved in writing by Lost Tree Foundation.

You agree to notify Lost Tree Foundation of any changes that may occur in the project for which the grant is awarded. This could include changes in vendors, costs, funding from other sources, timetables for project start and/or completion dates, etc. If there is any doubt about the importance of any changes, please contact the Foundation office.

You are responsible for the expenditure of grant funds and for maintaining adequate accounting records.

You agree that Lost Tree Foundation reserves the right to terminate this grant if, in its discretion, it determines that you have made any misrepresentation, misappropriated grant funds or done anything inconsistent with the Grant Contract. The declaration of filing bankruptcy by your organization will automatically terminate the grant.

You agree to notify Lost Tree Foundation if there is a change in key personnel essential to the ongoing administration of your organization.

You agree not to solicit additional support for your organization from individual volunteers representing Lost Tree Foundation during or after site visits.

You agree to return any unexpended funds to the Foundation upon completion of the project.

You agree to return funds promptly to the Foundation if:

• The Foundation terminates the grant for any reason, including those detailed above.
• You lose your exemption from federal income tax as provided for in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
• You are found to be in violation of any federal, state or local law, including, but not limited to, tax, licensing or zoning requirements.
• You understand that while Lost Tree Foundation does not seek out publicity for grant awards, there may be occasions when publicly announcing a grant could be beneficial to you in your fundraising efforts. Under these circumstances, you agree to submit to the Foundation for its approval, any press releases or announcements prior to distribution.

You agree that no part of this grant award will be used to attempt to influence the outcome of any specific public election or to carry on, directly or indirectly, any voter registration drive.

Pursuant to the USA Patriot Act, you warrant and represent that as of the date of the application and through the term of the grant:

• Your organization, any person or entity controlling or controlled by your organization, any person having a beneficial interest in your organization or any person for whom your organization is acting as agent or nominee, is neither a country, territory, individual or entity named on the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) list, nor is a person or entity prohibited under the OFAC Programs.

You will be required to complete a Grant Accountability Report upon completion of the project.

You agree that unless otherwise provided in writing, this grant is made with the understanding that Lost Tree Foundation has no obligation to provide other or additional support to your organization.

The Foundation terminates the grant for reasons detailed above.

You lose your exemption from federal income tax as provided in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

You are found to be in violation of any federal, state or local law, including, but not limited to, tax, licensing or zoning requirements.