The Frank E Duckwall Foundation concentrates its giving on mid‑sized to large challenge and capital campaign grants for Tampa Bay cultural and scientific institutions. They prioritize organizations that increase public access to science, art, performance and horticulture, typically supporting campaign finish‑lines through installment payments and occasionally renewing support for proven partners.
A defining feature of the Frank E Duckwall Foundation is its use of installment-based challenge grants for Tampa Bay institutions, including repeat support for Mote Marine Laboratory and the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. The foundation also backs finish-line funding for capital campaigns, such as Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and the Art Center Manatee, which suggests a preference for helping organizations close out larger fundraising efforts rather than underwriting broad unrestricted operations. Across its recent grants, it supports science, arts, performance, horticulture, and campus or facility improvements for local organizations in Florida. Recent awards also show a practical interest in infrastructure that helps organizations function and serve visitors or users. Examples include support for The Pines of Sarasota Foundation for a new roof on the west wing of the skilled nursing facility, Eckerd College for new construction projects on its water’s edge campus, and Tampa Bay Watch for security and safety improvements to buildings and grounds. The foundation also made smaller awards for equipment and technology, including laptop computers for Take Stock in Children of Sarasota and software for The Florida Orchestra. These grants point to a funder that mixes capital support with targeted project funding for institutions serving the Tampa Bay area.
In marine science and public education, the foundation gave $50,000 to Mote Marine Laboratory for a third installment on a challenge grant, showing continued support for a regional science institution. In the arts, it backed The Dali Museum with $50,000 for a challenge grant and provided $50,000 to the Straz Center for the Performing Arts as the first installment of its challenge grant. The foundation also supports horticulture and campus spaces. It gave $50,000 to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for a finish-line capping challenge grant, and $20,000 to Eckerd College for two new construction projects designed to enhance athletics and recreation on the water's edge campus. Smaller project grants extend to education and media. It funded laptop computers for students at Take Stock in Children of Sarasota and supported the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay's Solutions Journalism Fund for stories on philanthropy in the Tampa Bay area.
$400K
$6.6M
$409K
$532K
Most grants fall between $5K and $10K, with a median of $7K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$7K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Few, relatively large grants concentrated on capital/challenge campaigns and paid in installments; mix of repeat funding (notably Mote Marine) and single‑purpose challenge gifts aimed at unlocking matching funds.
Notable grantees: Mote Marine Laboratory, The Dali Museum, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Typical grants cluster in the middle range, with a p25 of $5,000, a median of $6,700, and a p75 of $10,358. The recent list also includes multiple larger challenge-grant installments at $50,000, indicating that some awards are structured in stages rather than as one-time lump sums. Several recipients appear in more than one year, including Mote Marine Laboratory, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, The Poynter Institute, Art Center Manatee, Take Stock in Children of Sarasota, and Tampa Bay Watch. The foundation funds individuals and appears to favor project-based, capital, and installment support over open-ended operating grants.
Grantmaking is concentrated entirely in Florida, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Within that footprint, awards reach multiple Tampa Bay cities, including Tampa, Sarasota, St Petersburg, Bradenton, Englewood, Brandon, and Tierra Verde. Sarasota and Tampa appear frequently in the recent grants list, with St Petersburg also showing up across arts, journalism, and museum support. The pattern is local rather than multi-state or international.
The foundation backs challenge grants, capital campaigns, and project-specific awards. Recent examples include challenge-grant installments for Mote Marine Laboratory, The Dali Museum, and the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, plus capital and facility projects such as a roof at The Pines of Sarasota Foundation and construction projects at Eckerd College.
Typical grants are mid-sized: p25 is $5,000, median grant size is $6,700, and p75 is $10,358. The recent list also includes larger $50,000 challenge-grant installments when the foundation is helping close campaign goals.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Mote Marine Laboratory, H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, The Poynter Institute, Art Center Manatee, Take Stock in Children of Sarasota, and Tampa Bay Watch. That pattern suggests follow-on support for selected partners.
Its giving is local and entirely in Florida. The recent grants list includes recipients in Tampa, Sarasota, St Petersburg, Bradenton, Englewood, Brandon, and Tierra Verde, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state.
Yes. Recent education-related grants include laptop computers for students at Take Stock in Children of Sarasota, an endowed scholarship fund at the University of Tampa, and technology purchases for The Zimmerman School at USF.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mote Marine Laboratory | Sarasota, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | Final installment for challenge grant. |
| Straz Center for the Performing Arts | Tampa, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | Third installment of challenge grant. |
| Marie Selby Botanical Gardens | Sarasota, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | Third installment of challenge grant. |
| The Poynter Institute | St Petersburg, FL | $25,000 | 2026 | Funding for First Amendment sponsorship level for the BowTie Ball. |
| H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center | Tampa, FL | $25,000 | 2026 | Funding for the SPARK Program. |
| Tampa Arts Alliance | Tampa, FL | $20,000 | 2026 | Funding to be used to assist with the build out of the space at new location and completion of challenge grant. |
| Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundatio | St Petersburg, FL | $15,500 | 2026 | Funding to be used towards the purchase of Acoustic Clouds for Soundproofing. |
| Hermitage Artist Retreat | Englewood, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | Funds to be used to restore the outdoor kitchen and replace beach accessibility equipment. |
| Palladium Theater | St Petersburg, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | Funding to be used for the renovation of the Palladium. |
| Dogs Inc | Palmetto, FL | $12,500 | 2026 | Funding to support Dogs, Inc. |
| ZooTampa at Lowry Park | Tampa, FL | $12,500 | 2026 | Funding to support ZooTampa. |
| Community Foundation of Tampa Bay Inc | Tampa, FL | $12,000 | 2026 | Funding for the Solutions Journalism Fund to be used for stories on philanthropy in the Tampa Bay area. |
| Frameworks of Tampa Bay Inc | Tampa, FL | $8,500 | 2026 | Funding to purchase laptops, docks, desktops and SourceOne support. |
| Florida Humanities Council | St Petersburg, FL | $7,500 | 2026 | funding for celebration of 50th Anniversary and dinner to honor Gary Morminos' lifetime work. |
| Florida Museum of Photographic Arts | Tampa, FL | $5,500 | 2026 | Funding to purchase two display cases for the Soldier's Lens exhibition. |
| Academy Prep Center of Tampa | Tampa, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | Funding to purchase solid hardwood science tables. |
| St Josephs Hospitals Foundation | Tampa, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | Funding to purchase children gifts for Christmas in July. |
| Harvest House | Sarasota, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | Funding to upgrade the Toddler-Friendly Playground. |
| The Portico Cafe | Tampa, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | Funding to be used to purchase planned upgrades on wish list. |
| Tampa Regional Artists | Tampa, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | Funding to be used for the Doodad Repurposed Sculpture Competition for 2025 and sponsorship of the Competition for 2026. |
| Tampa Bay Watch | Tierra Verde, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | Funding to be used to upgrade the main office's network and Wi-Fi infrastructure. |
| Society of St Andrew | Orlando, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | Funding to be used to distribute fresh fruits and vegetables to people in need. |
| Dunedin Fine Art Center | Dunedin, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | Funding to be used for the Children's Art Museum Technology enhancements. |
| United Food Bank of Plant City | Plant City, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | Funding to be used to purchase items on wish list. |
| The Florida Aquarium | Tampa, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | Funding to purchase incubator. |
| Heart Gallery of Tampa | Tampa, FL | $4,850 | 2026 | Funding to purchase needed equipment. |
| Heart for Winter Haven | Winter Haven, FL | $4,000 | 2026 | Funding to purchase a commercial-grade oven and stove. |
| Chapters Health System | Temple Terrace, FL | $3,000 | 2026 | Funding for Lifepath Hospice care in Hillsborough County. |
| USF Contemporary Art Museum | Tampa, FL | $2,500 | 2026 | Funding for the publication of the book USF is working with GILES Ltd about Rauschenberg and Saff's collaborations at Graphic studio. |
| The Chiselers Inc | Tampa, FL | $2,500 | 2026 | Funding to support the Chiselers. |
| Tampa Bay Times NIE | St Petersburg, FL | $2,500 | 2026 | Funding for the "Exploring WWII in Florida" program. |
| Henry B Plant Museum | Tampa, FL | $2,500 | 2026 | Funding to be used in underwriting the special exhibit "Dress for Success" that ran from March trhough December 2025. |
| Old Hyde Park Art Center | Tampa, FL | $2,500 | 2026 | Funding to be used to replace windows and siding. |
| Tampa Bay Garden Club | Tampa, FL | $1,650 | 2026 | Funding for Palma Ceia Springs restoration. |
| Marie Selby Botanical Gardens | Sarasota, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | Second Installment for finish line capping challenge grant. |
| Mote Marine Laboratory | Sarasota, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | Fourth installment for challenge grant. |
| Straz Center for the Performing Arts | Tampa, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | Second installment of challenge grant. |
| Art Center Manatee | Bradenton, FL | $40,000 | 2025 | Fourth and fifth installments for challenge grant. |
| H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center | Tampa, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | Funding for the SPARK Program. |
| Tampa Bay Watch | Tierra Verde, FL | $20,000 | 2025 | Funding to be used in hurricane recovery. |
| The Poynter Institute | St Petersburg, FL | $13,420 | 2025 | Funding for the sponsorship of the Pulitzer's Conversation on September 25th and Freedom sponsorship level for the BowTie Ball. |
| Community Foundation of Tampa Bay Inc | Tampa, FL | $12,000 | 2025 | Funding for the Solutions Journalism Fund to be used for stories on philanthropy in the Tampa Bay area. |
| Palladium Theater | St Petersburg, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | Funding to be used for the capital campaign to renovate the facility. |
| Gasparilla Music Foundation Inc | Tampa, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | Funding to be used for capital expenditures to increase the efficiency and reach of the Recycled Tunes program. |
| Take Stock in Children of Sarasota | Sarasota, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | Funding to purchase laptop computers for 15 students. |
| Conservation Foundation of Gulf Coa | North Port, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | Funding to purchase various items of equipment. |
| Tampa General Hospital Foundation | Tampa, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | Funding to purchase a 3D printer and bedside table. |
| University of South Florida Foundat | Tampa, FL | $7,500 | 2025 | Funding to cover a three year period as continued support of Art for Community Engagement (ACE). |
| Tampa Bay Wave | Tampa, FL | $6,000 | 2025 | Funding to be used for signage. |
| Tampa Bay Watch | Tierra Verde, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | Funding for the Ed Alber Tarpon Rodeo to be held June 7th 2024. |
The Poynter Institute
$25,000Funding for First Amendment sponsorship level for the BowTie Ball.
H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
$25,000Funding for the SPARK Program.
Tampa Arts Alliance
Funding to be used to assist with the build out of the space at new location and completion of challenge grant.
Funding to be used towards the purchase of Acoustic Clouds for Soundproofing.
Funds to be used to restore the outdoor kitchen and replace beach accessibility equipment.
Palladium Theater
$15,000Funding to be used for the renovation of the Palladium.
Dogs Inc
$12,500Funding to support Dogs, Inc.
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
$12,500Funding to support ZooTampa.
Funding for the Solutions Journalism Fund to be used for stories on philanthropy in the Tampa Bay area.
Funding to purchase laptops, docks, desktops and SourceOne support.
Florida Humanities Council
$7,500funding for celebration of 50th Anniversary and dinner to honor Gary Morminos' lifetime work.
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
$5,500Funding to purchase two display cases for the Soldier's Lens exhibition.
St Josephs Hospitals Foundation
$5,000Funding to purchase children gifts for Christmas in July.
Harvest House
$5,000Funding to upgrade the Toddler-Friendly Playground.
The Portico Cafe
$5,000Funding to be used to purchase planned upgrades on wish list.
Tampa Regional Artists
$5,000Funding to be used for the Doodad Repurposed Sculpture Competition for 2025 and sponsorship of the Competition for 2026.
Tampa Bay Watch
$5,000Funding to be used to upgrade the main office's network and Wi-Fi infrastructure.
Society of St Andrew
$5,000Funding to be used to distribute fresh fruits and vegetables to people in need.
Dunedin Fine Art Center
$5,000Funding to be used for the Children's Art Museum Technology enhancements.
Funding to be used to purchase items on wish list.
Heart for Winter Haven
$4,000Funding to purchase a commercial-grade oven and stove.
Chapters Health System
$3,000Funding for Lifepath Hospice care in Hillsborough County.
USF Contemporary Art Museum
$2,500Funding for the publication of the book USF is working with GILES Ltd about Rauschenberg and Saff's collaborations at Graphic studio.
The Chiselers Inc
$2,500Funding to support the Chiselers.
Tampa Bay Times NIE
$2,500Funding for the "Exploring WWII in Florida" program.
Henry B Plant Museum
$2,500Funding to be used in underwriting the special exhibit "Dress for Success" that ran from March trhough December 2025.
Old Hyde Park Art Center
$2,500Funding to be used to replace windows and siding.
Tampa Bay Garden Club
$1,650Funding for Palma Ceia Springs restoration.
Second Installment for finish line capping challenge grant.
Straz Center for the Performing Arts
$50,000Second installment of challenge grant.
Art Center Manatee
$40,000Fourth and fifth installments for challenge grant.
H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
$25,000Funding for the SPARK Program.
Tampa Bay Watch
$20,000Funding to be used in hurricane recovery.
The Poynter Institute
$13,420Funding for the sponsorship of the Pulitzer's Conversation on September 25th and Freedom sponsorship level for the BowTie Ball.
Funding for the Solutions Journalism Fund to be used for stories on philanthropy in the Tampa Bay area.
Palladium Theater
$10,000Funding to be used for the capital campaign to renovate the facility.
Gasparilla Music Foundation Inc
$10,000Funding to be used for capital expenditures to increase the efficiency and reach of the Recycled Tunes program.
Take Stock in Children of Sarasota
$10,000Funding to purchase laptop computers for 15 students.
Conservation Foundation of Gulf Coa
$10,000Funding to purchase various items of equipment.
Funding to purchase a 3D printer and bedside table.
University of South Florida Foundat
$7,500Funding to cover a three year period as continued support of Art for Community Engagement (ACE).
Tampa Bay Wave
$6,000Funding to be used for signage.
Tampa Bay Watch
$5,000Funding for the Ed Alber Tarpon Rodeo to be held June 7th 2024.