Reinvesting In Santa Rosa Excellence

Leadership Santa Rosa Alumni are committed to reinvest in Santa Rosa County and its citizens.

OBJECTIVE

The RISE Grant provides a way for Leadership Santa Rosa (LSR) Alumni to continue to give to Santa Rosa County (SRC) by means of an annual grant to a locally operating non-profit organization to be chosen by the LSR Alumni RISE Committee.

AWARD

The LSR Alumni RISE Committee is committed to awarding a minimum of (1) $3000 grant annually to a non-profit organization serving Santa Rosa County.

ELIGIBILITY

The following criteria must be met to apply for the LSR RISE Grant:

1. The organization must be an established charitable organization that is federally recognized. It must be an IRS section 501(c)3 organization. Awarded funds may not be used for individual uses, lobbying, or private interests.

2. The organization must provide a program that serves Santa Rosa County, and the award grant must be spent to support the Santa Rosa County program entirely.

3. The organization may not be one that operates in a discriminatory manner or in any way that brings discredit to Leadership Santa Rosa.

4. The organization must complete all the requisites established by Leadership Santa Rosa.

5. The organization must complete all parts of the application and supporting documents or provide a written explanation as to why the question or document was not answered/provided. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The following documents must be uploaded with the RISE grant application.

• 501(c)3 determination letter
• Most recent IRS Form 990, including Schedule A
• Organization's financial statement for the past fiscal year 

Complete the online RISE grant application form and submit all required documents no later than 5:00pm CST on November 1, 2025. 

APPLICATION TIMELINE AND REVIEW PROCESS

November 1, 2025 - Application Deadline

Mid-November, Date TBD - Semifinalists presentations to RISE grant committee

December 1, 2025 - Grant recipient selected and notified

December 11, 2025 - Grant presented at LSR graduation ceremony

First Round – RISE grant committee will meet to discuss all eligible entrees and choose semifinalists to invite for an in-person presentation.

Second Round - Semifinalists will be invited to a mutually agreed date/time and will be asked to make a verbal presentation to the RISE grant committee. A well prepared presentation should be 10-15 minutes. The committee will allow 15 minutes for questions/answers after the presentation. Representatives should come prepared to present on their organization as well as the specific project that the grant monies would be used for.

The organization chosen to receive the grant will be notified and invited to a special award presentation during the Leadership Santa Rosa class graduation December 11, 2025. Applicants not chosen will receive notification after recipient has been notified.

Please submit this application and the required documentation no later than 11:59pm on October 6, 2025. 

CERTIFICATION

I attest that our organization and its Board of Directors authorize submission of this application, and that I am authorized to submit this application on behalf of the organization.  Our tax-exempt status under IRS Section 501(c)3 has not been revoked or modified. We understand that if selected to receive RISE funding, we must furnish a report by May 1, 2026, showing that the funds were used only in Santa Rosa County, Florida or if the funds have not been used, what is the plan and timeframe to utilize funds granted. We certify that to the best of our knowledge, the statements contained in this application package are true, correct, and complete.