Best Chelan County Grants for Nonprofits in Washington

The CFEW Religious Education Grants, provided by the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Washington, support projects that enhance religious education for youth and adults. Grants range from $500 to $3,300 and prioritize underfunded groups. Examples of previous recipients include an elementary school providing bibles for students, a group addressing the spiritual needs of Hispanic Catholics, and a retreat for high school students. These grants continue the Foundation's mission of furthering the work of the Church since 1981.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and eligible public agencies in Chelan County, Washington can seek funding for projects or operations that enhance local quality of life, with awards of more than US $2,000. Focused on community well-being, the Community Foundation of North Central Washington invites proposals in areas like arts, education, youth, health, and public benefit.

Graduating seniors, current college students, and non-traditional students from Chelan or Douglas County pursuing engineering technology at Wenatchee Valley College can apply for the Ferguson Family Scholarship. Offered through the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, this multi-year award supports BAS-ET students with financial need who maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Catholic Extension provides essential funding to support the construction, expansion, or renovation of churches and community facilities. This initiative aims to meet the facility needs of under-resourced Catholic dioceses across the U.S. By focusing on active projects, Catholic Extension ensures that communities can enhance their worship spaces and support local ministries, ultimately fostering a stronger church community. Funding is available for both minor and major requests, with an emphasis on urgent needs and robust funding strategies.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and eligible public agencies serving Cashmere residents in Chelan County, Washington can seek funding to preserve, protect, and enhance local quality of life. Focused on community benefit, the Community Foundation of North Central Washington offers awards of more than US $2,000, including for fiscally sponsored projects, across arts, education, health, youth, and social services.

Current high school seniors and college students from families tied to Washington’s tree fruit industry in Chelan County, Washington can apply for Washington Apple Education Foundation’s Triple G Orchards scholarship; awards US $2,500 for college costs. First-generation students from the greater Wenatchee Valley with strong academics and community volunteerism may benefit.

The Robert Wilson Arts Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, provides financial support for high school seniors from Chelan or Douglas County pursuing degrees in art, painting, drawing, or pottery. With a minimum GPA of 3.0, applicants must submit three pieces of art for evaluation. This scholarship honors the legacy of Robert Wilson, an acclaimed abstract artist, and encourages creative students to express their unique voices and artistic passions.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Chelan, Chelan Falls, Entiat, and Manson can seek funding for projects, programs, or operations that enhance local quality of life in Chelan County, Washington. Grants from Community Foundation of North Central Washington start at more than US $2,000 and may support arts, education, youth, health, environment, and community benefit initiatives.

The Building Foundation Grants by Catholic Extension aim to support essential pastoral and administrative functions in under-resourced communities. These grants provide salary subsidies and operational funding to ordained, religious, and lay ministers, ensuring access to Catholic services. Prioritizing areas with significant financial need, this initiative seeks to sustain the church's presence where it is most critical, enabling continued ministry and outreach for those who may otherwise be underserved.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Leavenworth, Dryden, Peshastin, Lake Wenatchee, or Plain can seek more than US $2,000 to support charitable projects or operations benefiting Chelan County, Washington communities. Community Foundation of North Central Washington’s Upper Valley Fund Grant supports quality-of-life initiatives across arts and culture, education and youth, environment and animal protection, health and human services, and public or social benefit.

The Sons of Italy Scholarship, provided by the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, supports high school students with Italian ancestry from Chelan, Douglas, or Okanogan counties. It aims to promote education and appreciation of Italian culture. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and be accepted as full-time students at accredited institutions. This initiative reflects the foundation's commitment to community growth and cultural heritage.

Nonprofit partners and Wenatchee High School-affiliated groups in Chelan County, Washington can receive US $250 - US $1,000 to support special projects, equipment, and other student benefits in leadership, arts, and academic excellence. Grants from Community Foundation of North Central Washington are awarded to the Wenatchee School District, which disperses funds as instructed.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) charities, public agencies, or fiscally sponsored groups running Make a Difference Day volunteer projects in Chelan County, Washington can receive up to US $200 to support their efforts. The Community Foundation of North Central Washington funds projects in the Wenatchee Valley that enhance or implement local volunteer activities each October.

Students pursuing allied health training in Chelan County, Washington can receive scholarship support for the Allied Health Program at Wenatchee Valley College. The Community Foundation of North Central Washington’s Bob and Valerie Valaas Health Sciences Scholarship assists Wenatchee and Westside High School graduates with financial need who show aptitude and interest in health careers and caring for others.

The Icicle Fund Community Grants support nonprofit organizations in North Central Washington that promote the arts, history, and environmental stewardship. These unrestricted grants allow organizations to address community needs flexibly and innovatively. With funding typically ranging from $3,000 to $35,000, the program prioritizes engaging local communities in appreciation and understanding of their unique cultural and natural heritage. Eligible organizations include public schools, governmental entities, and faith-based groups focusing on these core areas.

The Roy W Hill Music Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, provides two four-year scholarships annually for graduating seniors from Chelan or Douglas counties who plan to major in music. This scholarship not only supports students financially but also encourages community involvement through a requirement of forty hours of community service each year. Recipients must maintain their academic progress and submit updates to retain their award.

The Rudolph and Carolyn Christianson Scholarship, managed by the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, offers financial support to deserving students in Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties. Established through Carolyn Christianson’s will, this scholarship aims to enhance educational opportunities for local youth. Applicants must demonstrate leadership potential and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5. With over 100 applicants annually, it is a highly competitive award that fosters academic excellence in the community.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental agencies serving the Waterville community in Chelan County, Washington can seek funding for innovative local programs. Focused on community enrichment, Community Foundation of North Central Washington invites projects in arts and culture, civic initiatives, conservation and environment, education, and health and human services, especially those enhancing existing efforts.

Chelan County, Washington students pursuing vocational or technical education related to the tree fruit industry can access funding through Washington Apple Education Foundation, with awards of US $5,000. Eligible applicants are Washington state high school seniors or college students from tree-fruit-producing families in Chelan, Douglas, Grant, or Okanogan counties attending accredited programs.

The Building Leaders Grants by Catholic Extension aim to enhance the recruitment, education, and ongoing formation of church leaders. This initiative provides critical funding for the professional development of both ordained and lay leaders in mission dioceses. By fostering partnerships with various organizations, it addresses the need for trained ministers and supports various funding areas, including seminarian sponsorship and diaconate formation, ensuring a robust future for church leadership.

The Engaging Young Catholics Grants aim to support ministries that provide faith formation to children, teens, young adults, and families. By focusing on the pastoral needs of young Catholics, the program enhances community vibrancy and fosters new leadership within the church. Catholic Extension prioritizes operational support and seed funding for initiatives that develop youth and young adult ministries, ensuring that dioceses can effectively reach and engage younger generations in their faith.

The Francis Grants, established by Catholic Extension, offer funding for significant events in poor mission dioceses, such as the ordination of new Bishops, anniversaries, or papal visits. These grants also support educational endeavors for Bishops. Named in honor of Francis Clement Kelly, Francis Cardinal George OMI, and Pope Francis, the program aims to strengthen the Catholic faith across the U.S. Since 1905, Catholic Extension has invested over $500 million to assist communities in need.

The Catholic School Leadership Development Grant Program aims to cultivate and retain promising leaders within the Catholic school system. In partnership with Loyola Marymount University, this initiative offers a graduate-level online Certificate in Catholic School Administration, covering 80% of tuition costs and providing funding for essential travel. The one-year program focuses on mission effectiveness, operational management, and instructional leadership, requiring participants to serve two years in their diocese post-completion, thereby enhancing local educational leadership.

Youth Lead Project — Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program

The Washington State Department of Commerce is making up to $646,065 available in Youth Lead Project grant funding. The Office of Homeless Youth received awards through HUD’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) to provide interventions that prevent and end youth homelessness in Washington’s Balance of State (BoS) Continuum of Care (CoC).

The Youth Lead Project was developed by the BoS YHDP Youth Action Board, known as the Youth for Youth (Y4Y) Board, to embed youth voice into every aspect of the youth homelessness response system. Grant funds support professional opportunities for young adults with lived experience of homelessness to address youth homelessness through both direct service delivery activities, like street outreach and case management, and participating in leadership activities for local and statewide system change efforts.

Grant funds must be used to support youth and young adults, ages 12-24, who meet criteria for category 1, 2, or 4 of the HUD definition of homelessness at enrollment. Youth Lead Project grants are for supportive services only and do not include housing programs or ongoing rental assistance.

Students pursuing nursing programs at Wenatchee Valley College in Chelan County, Washington can receive scholarship support for RN, BSN, or CNA studies. With a mission to strengthen local philanthropy, Community Foundation of North Central Washington provides this Nursing Scholarship for NCW to help future nurses advance their education and serve the region.

Washington State Department of Commerce

The Washington State Department of Commerce is the front door of government across our state. Our work touches every corner of Washington and impacts every community. We are advancing the most urgent needs facing our state: the transition to a clean energy economy, climate resilience, housing supply to meet our growing population, and the equitable engagement of communities, Tribes, local governments, and organizations.

Vision: A Washington where every community grows through access to opportunities and innovation. Mission: Commerce fosters resilient communities by building partnerships, delivering resources, and advancing equity through responsive, transparent and collaborative public service.

CERB Rural Ports Program – Tier 1: Frontier Counties

The 2025 Washington Legislature directed the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) to provide grants to rural ports for infrastructure repair, improvement, and development projects for the purpose of rural economic development.

A jurisdiction may submit only one application to the Rural Ports Program. Infrastructure repair, improvement, and development projects for the purpose of rural economic development:

• Enable and encourage private sector business creation or expansion
• Enhance the vitality and livability of the community
• Enhance local tourism

Catholic Extension's Enhancing Pastoral and Social Ministry Grants aim to empower the church to broaden its outreach and foster societal transformation through targeted pastoral and social initiatives. This program supports specific elements of the church's ministerial efforts, including funding for catechetical resources, marriage and family ministries, and social outreach for vulnerable populations. By investing in these areas, Catholic Extension seeks to enhance the church's role in communities, especially following disasters.