Amanda Nethero, New Heights Communications
The Live Well Foundation of South Lake is proud to announce a significant evolution in its grantmaking approach, rooted in trust, transparency, and a shared commitment to improving community well-being across South Lake County.
Beginning in 2026, the Live Well Foundation will officially adopt a trust-based philanthropy model, designed to reduce administrative burden on nonprofit partners and accelerate funding for programs addressing the most critical health-related needs in our community.
As part of this shift, Live Well will implement two major changes to its grantmaking process:
- Expanded Grant Cycles: moving from two grant cycles per year to four quarterly grant cycles, creating more frequent and flexible opportunities for nonprofits to access funding throughout the year.
- Streamlined Application Pathway: For organizations addressing urgent needs aligned with Live Well’s focus areas, eligible applicants may bypass the Letter of Intent (LOI) phase after completing a brief eligibility quiz and proceed directly to the full application.
“These changes reflect our belief that nonprofits know their communities best,” said Grant Committee Chair, Susan McLean. “By reducing unnecessary barriers, we’re allowing organizations to focus more of their time and energy on impact, not paperwork.”
2026 Grant Focus Areas & Timeline
January 2026 – Special Populations
Grants will support individuals and communities experiencing heightened vulnerability or barriers to accessing care, including people with disabilities or chronic conditions, individuals facing crisis or life transitions, caregivers, and those experiencing systemic access challenges.
March 2026 – Nutrition & Healthy Eating
Funding will support programs addressing food access, food insecurity, nutrition education, food pantries, agriculture and gardening initiatives, and equitable, sustainable food systems.
June 2026 – Mortality & Life Expectancy
Grants will focus on reducing preventable deaths and improving outcomes related to leading causes of death in Florida, including heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, respiratory illness, and Alzheimer’s, through access to care, prevention, and chronic disease management.
September 2026 – Mental Health (All Ages)
Support will be provided for prevention, early intervention, treatment, crisis response, trauma-informed care, and recovery services addressing emotional, psychological, and social well-being across the lifespan.
Together with its nonprofit partners, Live Well Foundation of South Lake is committed to building a healthier, stronger community, one grounded in trust.
For eligibility details and application timelines, visit www.lwfsl.org.
About Live Well Foundation of South Lake
The Live Well Foundation of South Lake, established in 2019 as a 501(c)(3) and dedicated to inspiring sustainable initiatives that enhance the health and wellness of the South Lake community, aspires to attract, and fund much needed healthcare and healthy lifestyle programs to serve residents. Visit Live Well Foundation of South Lake online at lwfsl.org for more information.
