Florida Beverage Association Announces Application Period for 2025 Community Grant Program

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): The Florida Beverage Association (FBA) announced the opening of the application period for its Community Grant Program, a competitive grant funding initiative focused on advancing environmental sustainability and health and wellness programs across Florida. In its tenth year, FBA’s Community Grant Program is open to 501(c)(3) charity organizations or a state or local governmental entity that will use the grant funds for a charitable purpose.

The Florida Beverage Association, the state trade association representing non-alcoholic beverage producers, marketers, bottlers and distributors, oversees the grant program. The Florida beverage industry employs nearly 20,000 Floridians across the state with a direct economic impact of $14.8 billion. In addition to the statewide grant program, Florida’s beverage companies and their employees generously contribute $124.5 million to charitable causes across the state.

“Florida’s beverage industry is committed to environmental, sustainability and health and wellness initiatives. That’s why – in partnership with community leaders – we have contributed more than $400,000 to organizations across the state that share our dedication to building stronger, healthier communities. Together, we look forward to broadening the FBA grant program’s reach to create lasting impact where it matters most,” said Elizabeth DeWitt, president and CEO, of the Florida Beverage Association.

Previous community grant recipients focused on environmental and sustainability programs include:

•          Friends of the Underline
•          Orange County Public Schools
•          Clean Miami Beach
•          Keep Alachua County Beautiful
•          Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
•          The City of Coral Gables
•          Sea Grant Florida
•          Santa Rosa County
•          The Science and Environment Council of Southwest Florida
•          Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful
•          The City of Orlando
•          Orange County Public Schools
•          The City of Miami

FBA Grants Recipients who have received grant funding for their work promoting nutrition and active lifestyles include:

•          The Children’s Home Society of Florida
•          The Skills Center
•          The Florida Recreation and Park Association Foundation
•          The City of Tampa
•          The “I’m a STAR” Foundation
•          Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces

Grant applications should be submitted online through FBA’s website by Friday, January 31, 2025. To be considered for a grant, all nominees must meet the requirements listed in the “Grant Program Criteria” found on the FBA website at www.flabev.org.  Grants awarded through the FBA program are generally capped at $25,000; however, flexibility can be considered for unique situations. In addition, some grant applications may be eligible for a matching grant from the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America (ABFHA). 

All applications will be reviewed by the FBA Board Grant Subcommittee. FBA Community grant recipients will be selected and notified by the FBA Board of Directors by March 14, 2025. The FBA will submit their selections for award to the ABFHA matching grants program. Matching grants from the ABFHA will not be announced until late Spring 2025. 

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantagemag.com