Best Franklin County Grants for Nonprofits in Washington

The Avista Foundation provides vital funding to non-profit organizations focused on education, vulnerable populations, and cultural vitality in its service areas across the Pacific Northwest. This cycle specifically invites proposals for arts and culture initiatives. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) entities or civic groups located within Avista's service area. The foundation aims to enhance community well-being and support creative endeavors that enrich local culture.

The Avista Foundation supports non-profit organizations in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, southern Oregon, and Montana, focusing on education, vulnerable populations, and community vitality. Grants are available for 501(c)(3) organizations, civic groups, and schools addressing local needs. Ineligible requests include those for religious or political activities and funding for individuals. This funding cycle emphasizes projects that foster economic and cultural growth in the communities served by Avista Utilities and Alaska Electric Light and Power Co.

The Westinghouse Charitable Giving Program aims to strengthen community ties by providing financial support in key areas such as education focused on STEM, environmental sustainability, and community safety. This program welcomes applications from eligible organizations that meet specific grant criteria, including being tax-exempt and located within 50 miles of a Westinghouse site. The initiative underscores Westinghouse's commitment to advancing education, promoting environmental stewardship, and enhancing community well-being.

The Avista Foundation supports non-profit organizations that address community needs in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, southern Oregon, and parts of Montana. Focused on education and cultural vitality, this funding opportunity targets 501(c)(3) organizations and civic groups serving local populations. Note that requests for religious or political activities, as well as support for individuals or private foundations, are not eligible. The Foundation also includes a matching gifts program for Avista employees.

Kaiser Permanente's Washington Region offers sponsorships to nonprofit organizations, schools, and government agencies that align with its mission to improve community health. With a focus on sustainability, equity, and relationship-building, the program evaluates proposals based on their potential to create lasting value and positive exposure. Ineligible requests include support for religious activities, political campaigns, or individual medical funding, ensuring that resources are directed towards community-driven initiatives that enhance public health.

Baker Boyer is committed to building community legacies through sponsorships and donations. By supporting local non-profits and community programs, they aim to enhance health, education, and economic development in the Walla Walla, Milton-Freewater, Tri-Cities, and Yakima areas. Their contributions include financial support, in-kind services, and volunteer efforts, prioritizing organizations that assist low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. With a focus on creating lasting relationships, Baker Boyer plays a vital role in strengthening community ties.

The Women Helping Women Fund Tri-Cities Grants support initiatives that empower women and children in the Tri-Cities area. Grants, ranging from $2,500 to $25,000, prioritize programs that demonstrate cost-effectiveness, community collaboration, and measurable impact. Eligible organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and align with the fund's mission to create healthy families and vibrant communities. Focus areas include childcare, mental health, and self-sufficiency, with applications accepted annually.

The Empire Health Foundation is committed to strengthening communities through connection and learning by providing sponsorship funding for events that promote health equity and social justice. While they are no longer accepting sponsorship applications for 2025, they encourage grassroots organizations serving marginalized communities in eastern Washington to reach out for future opportunities. Their focus includes supporting 2SLGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and low-income populations, fostering collaboration, and enhancing community well-being.

Tyson Foods Community Giving Grants support initiatives that enhance the quality of life for communities and their members. With a focus on scaling existing effective programs, these grants are aimed at organizations that operate in underserved areas. Eligible nonprofits must have a 501(c)(3) status and local Tyson plant support. Applications are accepted annually, with priority given to projects addressing systemic community issues. Notable past support includes a $25,000 grant to the Arkansas Foodbank Mobile Pantry Initiative.

Youth Lead Project — Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program

The Office of Homeless Youth is making approximately $775,000 in grant funding available for the Youth Lead Projects in the Balance of State Continuum of Care through a federal award for HUD’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP).

The Youth Lead Project was developed by the BoS YHDP Youth Action Board, known as the Youth for Youth (Y4Y) Board, to support professional opportunities for young adults with lived experience of homelessness. Grant funds support these staff positions to address youth homelessness through both direct service delivery activities such as street outreach and case management and leadership activities in local and statewide systems.

Grant funds must also be used to support direct services to 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.

The Creative Start Project Grant provides funding for innovative projects that engage preschool to 3rd grade students in arts-integrated learning. This one-year grant prioritizes creative and emotional growth while fostering collaboration among educators, families, and artists. With funding ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, it aims to enhance culturally relevant learning experiences in Washington's distressed areas, focusing on sequential arts integration that benefits young learners.

The Avista Foundation offers funding to non-profit organizations that support communities served by Avista Utilities and Alaska Electric Light and Power Co. in the Pacific Northwest. Focused on education and assistance for vulnerable populations, this grant cycle invites proposals for health and human services. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations operating within designated service areas. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that reduce poverty and enhance cultural vitality while avoiding support for religious or political activities.

Ecosystem Enhancement Program

This program aims to support Basin communities, including Indigenous Peoples, to steward and lead ecosystem enhancement and restoration projects that maintain and improve ecological health and resilience in a variety of ecosystems across the Basin. Projects funded through the Program will have a meaningful and measurable landscape-scale impact in supporting and strengthening the health and resilience of the Basin’s natural environment in a changing climate, which is a focus area in the Columbia Basin Management Plan 2024-2034.

This year is a Basin-wide call for eligible project ideas that restore and/or enhance a variety of ecotypes, including terrestrial, aquatic and wetlands. The Trust will identify and support ecosystem enhancement and restoration projects that have an ecological need that is consistent with existing regional plans and research as well as aligns with input received from Indigenous Peoples, community groups and government and technical experts.

How much will the Trust fund?

Up to 75% per cent of total project costs can be requested from the Trust. The maximum amount of Trust funding for any one project is $750,000 with a maximum duration of five years for multi-year projects. 

The Virgie Robinson Memorial Scholarship, managed by the Three Rivers Community Foundation, provides financial support to alumni of the Pasco School District and educators at Virgie Robinson Elementary School. This scholarship honors Virgie Robinson, a dedicated employee of the Pasco School District, ensuring that her legacy continues to benefit the community by empowering students and supporting educational excellence.

The Edith Bishel Fund for the Blind and Visually Impaired, managed by the Three Rivers Community Foundation, aims to enhance the lives of individuals with visual impairments in Southeastern Washington. Established in 1994, this fund provides essential resources and support through an application process. Applicants must have their visual impairment verified by a physician and demonstrate financial need. This initiative ensures continued access to critical services for the visually impaired community.

The Kaiser Permanente Washington Region Community Health Grant focuses on improving health care access, mental health, housing, and dismantling structural racism. This grant supports nonprofit organizations and community programs to foster sustainable health initiatives. Through a Community Health Needs Assessment, Kaiser Permanente identifies community needs and builds partnerships for equitable health solutions. The grant aims to create lasting impact in Washington communities by addressing crucial health disparities.

The WAEF Scholarships - Douglas Fruit offers support to over 300 students with scholarships totaling over $1 million. Funded by contributions from the tree fruit industry, these scholarships are available to students whose parents work in this field. Eligible applicants include high school seniors and current college students with ties to the Washington tree fruit industry, pursuing various degrees. Scholarships can be used at accredited colleges and vocational schools.

The Pamela and Scott Woodward Conservation Scholarship, established in 2016 by Tapteal Greenway, aims to support students passionate about conservation. This merit-based scholarship honors the Woodward family's contributions to conservation efforts along the lower Yakima River and the Tri-Cities community. One scholarship of $2,000 will be awarded annually to qualified students, emphasizing the importance of education in promoting sustainable practices and community engagement.

The Gartner Fund – Child Medical Assistance, facilitated by the Three Rivers Community Foundation, aims to provide medical assistance to children under 12 in Benton and Franklin counties. This fund supports children who have not previously received aid, have a reasonable chance of recovery, and face documented financial needs. The application must be submitted by a medical professional, ensuring that grants are directed to medical providers or for necessary adaptive equipment.

The BNSF Railway Foundation provides grants to enhance community quality of life across 28 states, focusing on educational, cultural, and social service initiatives. With over $150 million contributed since 2000, the foundation emphasizes projects with strong local engagement and BNSF employee involvement. Eligible organizations include public charities, local governments, and tribal governments, while ineligible entities encompass religious organizations and those with discriminatory practices. Priority is given to environmental, health, and cultural projects.

The Bayer Fund: Food & Nutrition Grant supports high-quality programs that combat malnutrition and improve access to nutritious foods, particularly for underserved communities and families with young children. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government units. The fund prioritizes long-term behavioral change towards healthy eating and nutrition, with grants typically not exceeding 25% of an organization's operating budget. International requests start at $25,000, fostering sustainable food security and education initiatives.

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.

The CFEW Lourdes Hospital Grants offer financial support for projects that enhance the mission of Catholic schools. With grants ranging from $200 to $12,000, the focus is on community outreach and religious education initiatives. Eligible applicants include Catholic schools aiming to strengthen their educational programs. Notable past recipients include schools that have acquired technology and artistic resources to enrich their environments. This streamlined application process ensures that impactful projects receive timely funding.

The Avista Foundation offers sponsorships to non-profit organizations that support community needs in areas served by Avista Utilities and Alaska Electric Light and Power Co. Focused on education, environment, and cultural vitality, the foundation invites applications year-round for event sponsorships, requiring a 90-day review period. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) charities and civic groups within the service area, while requests for religious or political activities are not accepted.

The CFEW Horrigan Catholic School Grants support projects that enhance the mission of Catholic education, awarding amounts from $200 to $12,000. Eligible applicants include Horrigan Catholic School, focusing on community outreach and religious education. Previous grants have funded technology purchases like Chromebooks and lab tables, as well as religious artwork for school spaces. This initiative strengthens the Catholic community in Eastern Washington, fostering educational growth since 1981.

The Three Rivers Community Foundation offers an Annual Grant Cycle aimed at supporting nonprofits in Benton and Franklin counties. Grants range from $500 to over $10,000, with an average award of $4,000. Eligible applicants include 501c3 organizations. The foundation focuses on program/project grants and impact grants, which provide flexible funding to organizations that have demonstrated effective use of prior funding. Certain ineligible expenses include capital campaigns and political activities.

The CFEW Community Outreach Grants support projects addressing the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of communities in Eastern Washington. Grants range from $500 to $10,000 and prioritize organizations that contribute to local welfare. Examples of funded initiatives include assistance for housing and food, support for women in poverty, and programs aimed at reducing social isolation. This streamlined application process makes it easier for eligible organizations to receive vital funding for their outreach efforts.