TPD C.A.R.E.S.

Purpose

The Tampa Police Department (TPD) is pleased to announce its 2026 Community and Resources Enhancing Success (C.A.R.E.S.) grant program. The purpose of this grant funding program is to provide assistance to community partners who are engaged in projects and programs benefiting the citizens of Tampa by using Law Enforcement Trust Funds (LETF). These funds are the result of civil forfeitures of assets that have been seized as contraband linked to certain felony crimes. The seized money is maintained in a LETF fund and can only be used in accordance with the rules set forth in FL Statutes, Section 932.701-932.707, called the “Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act (FCFA).” Community members interested in applying for C.A.R.E.S. funding must support the spirit of the Tampa Police Department’s mission to reduce crime and enhance the quality of life through a cooperative partnership with all citizens. Applications for funding may be a request to fund an entire project or may be a request to fund a particular piece of a larger project or program if that project or program meets the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility

The Community and Resources Enhancing Success (C.A.R.E.S.) grant program is open to community groups, associations, agencies, or non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) designations, providing services to residents within the city of Tampa’s municipal boundaries. The program must meet eligibility criteria, including serving youth or adult programs focused on crime prevention and community engagement, social development, mentorship, drug or domestic abuse prevention and treatment, and mental health.

Award Amount

A total of $45,000 is available for the 2026 funding awards.

The funding amount will be determined by the selection committee’s application evaluation. Projects will be rated using the selection criteria and grants will be awarded in the following tiers:

Tier 1: $15,000

Tier 2: $10,000

Tier 3: $5,000

Tier 4: $2,000

Tier 5: $1,000

Award Period

The award period will be a twelve-month timeframe between June 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027, wherein all services must be completed.

Allowable and Unallowable Costs

Grant proposals should not include requests for funding for anything outside of the LETF categories.

The grant does not cover certain expenditures such as personnel salaries, overtime, general operating expenses, training, travel, food, gifts, infrastructure, video surveillance systems, publications, or other communication media not related to this project.

Award Submission

The 2026 Community and Resources Enhancing Success (CARES) grant program application enrollment period starts on March 9, 2026, and must be submitted by midnight on April 3, 2026. Grant applications must be typed or written, accompanied by supporting documents, and received within the specified period. All questions in the grant application (Appendix A) must be answered in full to be considered.

Online Submission: TPD-Cares@tampagov.net

Mailing Address or Hand Delivery:

Tampa Police Department
Office of the Chief of Police
411 N. Franklin Street
Tampa, FL 33602

March 9, 2026	C.A.R.E.S Solicitation released to the community for local organizations to apply
April 3, 2026	Grant applications due to Tampa Police Department (see above for instructions on how to apply)
April 10 – April 23, 2026	Review and evaluation of applications and submission of funding recommendations to City Council
May 18, 2026	Final announcement of grantees and awarded amounts

Organization Applicant and Certification:

The applicant must be a current officer on record with the Florida Department of State or another applicable agency if incorporated outside of Florida. Applicants must provide a federal tax identification number and submit a signed certification form with the application (Appendix B).

Supporting Document(s)

To be considered for funding, the application must include the organization's name and federal employer identification number in the upper right-hand corner on each document, along with the following supporting documents, as per the guidelines.

Itemized Budget (Blank copy attached for your convenience) (Appendix B)
Applicant Certification (Appendix C)
Florida Division of Corporations Certificate of Status
IRS 501(C)(3) determination letter
IRS Form W9
One letter of Support from a previous funder or organization that has partnered with your organization.

Disqualifiers

All applications must meet the minimum eligibility. However, some circumstances will require instant disqualification.

Any organization which owes monies to the City of Tampa will not receive award funds until those other obligations are satisfied.
Incomplete application and/or missing supporting documents.
Project description that is vague in nature will be classified as incomplete.
Any organization which previously failed to account for all expenditures completely and accurately in past Community and Resources Enhancing Success awards will not be eligible to receive additional funding.
If the Applicant fails to use the funds in the manner described in this application, or if the project or program does not occur or is not completed in the same manner and in the performance period as described in the application, or is determined later to not be qualified to receive LETF monies; or if there was an untruthful statement made by Applicant within application; or fails to provide the necessary reporting documents to the TPD, then all LETF monies disbursed to the Applicant must be returned to the TPD within ten (10) business days of the TPD’s written demand for the same and Applicant will be ineligible for any further LETF disbursements.

Reporting Requirements

The applicant is required to submit a Bi-Annual program report (Attachment I) to the Tampa Police Department (TPD) detailing their program status, expenditure, and supporting expenses. The report must be submitted by January 15th of each year and must include all necessary information. The final report of activities and expenditures must be submitted by 90 days at the end of the program performance period. The applicant must bear all costs and expenses in generating and delivering the documentation and must provide it in a format acceptable to TPD. Failure to submit (Appendix C) timely may result in a demand for the funds granted to be returned and a failure for the agency to be considered a recipient for future LETF money.

Main Point-of-Contact:

Jamel Michini
(813) 276-6998

TPD-CARES@tampagov.net