Subject:
Title
Funding recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2026 Human Services Social Action Grant Program
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of funding recommendations by the Social Action Funding Advisory Board (SAFAB) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Social Action Grant Funding Agreements with 18 community agencies, and delegation of authority to the County Administrator to sign all associated agreements and documentation.
• Eighteen community agencies are recommended by the SAFAB for Social Action Grant Funding with programming in the priority area of food/nutritional services; homeless prevention and supportive services; healthcare and human services for disadvantaged residents; and supportive services for an aging population. A breakdown of awards is attached. The grant award will be for one-year project period.
• Pinellas County Human Services administered a competitive, online grant application which opened March 10, 2025, and 75 applications were received totaling $7,334,623.15 in requested funding.
• On May 12, 2025, following review and ranking of the applications, the SAFAB voted to recommend awards to 18 projects. Awards range from $43,200.00 to $150,000.00.
• An amount not to exceed $1,705,610.00 in funding is allocated in the Human Services FY26 anticipated budget. Each agreement includes a fiscal non-funding clause should any portion of the budget not be approved.
Body
Strategic Priorities:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health
2.2 Enhance community safety
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.1 Increase the availability of attainable housing
3.3 Increase workforce opportunities
3.4 Enhance educational and cultural opportunities
Summary:
Summary
Eighteen (18) community agencies are recommended by the SAFAB for Social Action Grant Funding with programming in the priority area of food/nutritional services; homeless prevention and supportive services; healthcare and human services for disadvantaged residents; and supportive services for an aging population. A breakdown of awards is attached. The grant award will be for one-year (1) project period.
Body
Background Information:
Social Action Grants are available to qualified non-profit social service organizations desiring to provide services to homeless and low-income residents of Pinellas County to address their health, economic and social well-being. Pinellas County Human Services administered a competitive, online application process for Social Action Funding through Neighborly Software. The grant solicitation was posted on March 10, 2025, and a standard application form was used to promote effective review and scoring. Agreements will be for one year and will include a fiscal non-funding clause.
The SAFAB was established in 2023 to serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of County Commissioners and one of its primary duties is to review applications and recommend projects to be funded by social service funds. The SAFAB consists of members from Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, Florida Department of Health- Pinellas County Health Department, the City of St. Petersburg, Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, Pinellas Community Foundation, the Juvenile Welfare Board, Pinellas County School Board, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the Public Defender, and the State Attorney. Pinellas County Human Services will work with the agencies to collect performance outcomes and reporting guidelines.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding in an amount not to exceed $1,705,610.00 has been identified in the Human Services proposed Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) General Fund appropriation.
The individual funding amounts are as follows:
Abilities Inc. of Florida $99,000.00
Bethel Community Foundation $55,000.00
Boley Centers, Inc. $77,115.00
Community Dental Clinic $140,890.00
F.E.A.S.T., Inc. $43,200.00
Family Enrichment Services/ Adoption Related Services $95,528.00
Family Resources, Inc. $99,000.00
Gulf Coast Florida - Westcare $100,000.00
Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, Inc. $79,619.00
Homeless Empowerment Program $150,000.00
Lighthouse of Pinellas $57,500.00
PARC, Inc. $139,980.00
Preserve Vision Florida, Inc. $99,500.00
Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay, Inc. $99,999.00
St. Petersburg Free Clinic, Inc. $99,000.00
The Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation, Inc. $78,791.00
Ultimate Medical Academy $135,000.00
Van Gogh's Palette DBA Vincent House $56,488.00
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Abilities Inc. of Florida
Bethel Community Foundation
Boley Centers, Inc.
Community Dental Clinic
F.E.A.S.T., Inc.
Family Enrichment Services/ Adoption Related Services
Family Resources, Inc.
Gulf Coast Florida - Westcare
Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, Inc.
Homeless Empowerment Program
Lighthouse of Pinellas
PARC, Inc.
Preserve Vision Florida, Inc.
Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay, Inc.
St. Petersburg Free Clinic, Inc.
The Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation, Inc.
Ultimate Medical Academy
Van Gogh's Palette DBA Vincent House
Attachments:
SAF Recommendation List
SAF Recommendation Summary Chart
SAF Application Scores
SAFAB Final Meeting Minutes
Applications Recommended for Funding
Applications Reviewed not Recommended