Best Diversity Grants for Nonprofits in Washington

OnPoint Community Credit Union offers grants and sponsorships to nonprofit organizations that align with their focus areas of Economic Opportunity and Community Vitality. They support various initiatives including financial education, workforce development, and community development. Funding ranges from $100 to $10,000, with a priority on organizations demonstrating diversity, equity, and inclusion. Applications must be submitted at least 90 days prior to events and organizations must have a 501c3 status or an active fiscal sponsor.

OnPoint Community Credit Union, founded in 1932, is committed to supporting schools through funding for educational programs and direct contributions to public schools, PTAs, and alumni associations. With a focus on Economic Opportunity and Community Vitality, they prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in their funding initiatives. Grants typically range from $250 to $2,500, supporting organizations that align with their core values within Oregon and SW Washington.

The Safeway Foundation, part of the Albertsons Companies Foundation, focuses on supporting nonprofit organizations in Portland, OR, and SW Washington that align with their mission to improve community quality of life. Priorities include health services, hunger relief, education, and supporting diversity. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, aimed at organizations with a 501(c)(3) designation, ensuring funds are directed towards impactful programs and community initiatives.

The Social Justice and Resiliency Fund offers vital support to nonprofits addressing systemic inequities in Clark, Cowlitz, and Skamania counties. By providing flexible, unrestricted funding, the fund empowers organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to implement impactful changes. Grants focus on capacity building and systemic change, ensuring communities are equipped to respond to future crises. This initiative fosters equity and social justice, creating a more resilient and diverse nonprofit landscape.

The Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation offers Special Project Funding to support innovative initiatives in the arts, particularly in under-resourced areas. This grant encourages collaborative projects that enhance community engagement and education, focusing on art exhibitions and scholarships in the greater Texas Panhandle. By fostering leadership and creativity, the Foundation aims to empower individuals and organizations to make a lasting impact in the fields of art and art history.

The TourWest Grants, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, aim to support presenters and organizations in the Western region by providing flexible funding for touring artists. This competitive grant encourages community engagement and outreach, fostering collaboration between artists and local communities. It prioritizes accessibility to the performing arts, especially in underserved areas. Applicants must be tax-exempt organizations or local government units and demonstrate a commitment to community needs through their projects.

The Forest Foundation offers grants to support nonprofit organizations and citizen initiatives in Southwest Washington, especially Tacoma and Pierce County. They prioritize projects that promote community well-being, environmental stewardship, and cultural accessibility. Emphasizing fiscal accountability and innovation, the Foundation seeks proposals from tax-exempt organizations in Washington and Oregon. Grants are available for various program areas, including children and youth development, community building, and self-sufficiency, while excluding requests for capital construction and certain operational costs.

The Superfeet Local Grant supports nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest, emphasizing community well-being and environmental health. Grants focus on basic needs, outdoor accessibility, and sustainability, empowering underserved populations through equitable access to recreation. Preference is given to initiatives in Washington state, ensuring a meaningful impact in local communities. The foundation's commitment includes funding projects that foster inclusivity and promote long-term engagement with nature and recreational spaces.

The Bamford Foundation, established in 1990, aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals and strengthen communities in Tacoma and the South Puget Sound region. With a focus on operational and program-related grants, the foundation prioritizes collaborations that foster equity, diversity, and access. In 2026, it will concentrate on smaller grants to maximize impact, particularly in basic needs, early learning, expanded opportunities, and access to higher education and job training.

Inatai Foundation

Inatai Foundation is a 501(c)(4) serving and accountable to leaders and organizations with bold visions who are building power in racially diverse communities across Washington state. Our vision begins with them: their ideas, solutions, and dreams for transformational change.

As a foundation, we channel the funding, influence, and information we have to the leaders and organizations rooted in and led by the communities we answer to, so they have the resources, power, and opportunity they need to bring their visions to life.

Infrastructure Opportunities Grants

Infrastructure Opportunities grants provide support for specific power-building efforts that have been highlighted as essential by Washington nonprofits and community leaders.

The Infrastructure Opportunities Fund explores power-building efforts around specific issues that community leaders and community-based organizations have told us are integral to building community power and transforming systems and structures. They include:

• 501(c)(4) Community Power-Building: If your organization has decided that you would like to form a 501(c)(4), this grant can help you with that next step. This opportunity is designed for organizations wanting to expand the tools necessary to get more involved in activities like endorsing political candidates, advocating for ballot measures, influencing policies, and lobbying legislators.

• Civil Rights: Unjust and discriminatory policies, violence against marginalized groups, threats to our democracy, and other dangers to the well-being and safety of communities are civil rights violations. This grant is designed to support organizations with a clearly defined strategy and response to civil rights violations in your community.

• Immigrant Justice: Regardless of immigration status, people deserve to be treated equally. Whether that’s through safe working conditions, fair wages, access to healthcare, education and economic opportunities, language access, and protections from cruel and unjust immigration and justice enforcement (ICE) activity, this grant ensures you have the support to safeguard immigrant communities from discrimination or harm.

• Wealth & Asset Creation: A community’s well-being for generations to come often depends on the ability for organizations today to acquire assets like land and buildings and pay off capital debt. This grant supports those who are engaged in tipping power through asset development and projects that promote community ownership and visibility.

• Voter & Civic Engagement: Civic engagement is critical for battles toward equity and racial justice. This grant ensures you have the support to engage your community in the democratic process, from voter registration drives, get-out-the-vote campaigns, election protection programs, and more.

• Youth & Student Organizing: Youth organizing helps communities act on issues now while also preparing for the future. Whether you are advocating for youth priorities, bringing young people together, or offering youth leadership development opportunities, this grant supports your work to mobilize the next generation of leaders. Inatai defines youth as up to 30 years old.

The Transformational Capacity Building Funds by Inatai Foundation provide essential support for community-led organizations in Washington state. Aimed at enhancing their capacity for systemic change, these funds help organizations develop skills, stabilize operations, and manage transitions. Eligible groups include those led by marginalized communities. This initiative prioritizes applicants from specific counties and various identities, ensuring resources empower those directly impacted by inequities. Grants focus on learning, operational stability, and change capital, fostering growth and resilience in community power-building efforts.

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.

The Foster Foundation Grant supports organizations in the Pacific Northwest that align with priority funding issues such as social services, education, medical research, and community engagement. The foundation seeks to cultivate long-term partnerships and is committed to improving community life through various initiatives. Eligible organizations must hold a 501(c)(3) status and address one of the foundation's priority issues while ensuring that funds are used within the designated geographic reach.

The WFC Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants provide funding up to $10,000 to nonprofits on Whidbey Island for one-time projects aimed at enhancing organizational capacity. Grants support initiatives such as staff training, technology upgrades, and strategic planning. Organizations must demonstrate good standing and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. The Foundation prioritizes projects with clear budgets and timelines, ensuring that funded projects contribute to the overall effectiveness of nonprofit services in the community.

The Sustained Support Midstream Grant provides crucial operational funding for arts organizations and Local Arts Agencies in King County. This grant enhances the capacity for creativity and accessibility, fostering community impact through consistent programming. Additionally, it addresses geographic equity by offering increased awards to organizations outside Seattle or in designated Communities of Opportunity. By leveraging lodging tax revenue, this initiative aims to enrich cultural experiences for all residents and visitors of King County.

The Forest Foundation offers the Capital Projects Grant to enhance the quality of life in Southwest Washington, particularly in Tacoma and Pierce County. This grant is available to tax-exempt organizations focused on community development, environmental stewardship, and cultural initiatives. Organizations must demonstrate fiscal accountability and innovative solutions. While the foundation prioritizes local projects, it also supports initiatives that empower families towards self-sufficiency. Notably, it does not fund new facility construction or lobbying efforts.

The Charlotte Martin Foundation prioritizes funding for rural BIPOC organizations focused on youth programs, emphasizing education, athletics, and cultural expression for ages 6-18. Grants support initiatives that enhance access to diverse experiences, educational opportunities, and sports programs. The foundation is committed to addressing inequities in funding distribution, ensuring resources reach non-dominant communities. Organizations must be based in the Western states and demonstrate a commitment to racial equity and diversity in their leadership and programming.

The Franz Bakery Foundation Grant supports local charitable organizations focused on family support, youth development, and hunger reduction in areas served by Franz Bakery. With an average grant amount of $3,000, the Foundation aims to foster respect, equity, and inclusion within communities. Eligible applicants must be 501c3 tax-exempt nonprofits located in specific states and align with the Foundation's mission. Organizations can reapply annually, although applications do not roll over to the next year.

The Creative Youth Development (CYD) initiative by Allen Family Philanthropies aims to enhance access to quality arts programs for Washington youth aged 13 to 26. With $5 million available, the RFP supports nonprofit organizations focusing on artistic skill development, wellbeing through creative expression, and civic engagement. Prioritizing programs led by professional teaching artists, funding is available for projects that serve underserved communities, particularly those outside King County, to foster cultural vibrancy and community connections.

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 Black United Fund of Oregon (BUF-OR) provides Community Impact Grants to support the social and economic development of underserved communities in Oregon. Annually, BUF-OR awards grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 to nonprofit organizations that align with its mission and focus on BIPOC communities. Eligible organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and operate within Oregon or SW Washington. This initiative aims to empower grassroots organizations and enhance community well-being.

About NCRC

The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) is a nationwide network of nearly 800 organizations and champions working for a Just Economy, where all Americans can build wealth and provide for their families with stability and dignity.

Our vision: To solve America’s historic racial and socio-economic wealth, income and opportunity divides. This vision is the foundation of the Just Economy Pledge.

Fellowship for Equitable Development

The National Community Reinvestment Coalition matches top-level graduate degree students with premiere community development organizations.

NCRC is looking for fellowship projects that move the needle on housing, small business development, and workforce development. Projects may directly result in community outcomes in these focus areas, or involve work with community members to create plans or project pipelines that will solve local issues in these areas.

The NCRC Fellowship cultivates the next generation of community development leaders and empowers them to tackle the issues of tomorrow. The community development sector will face significant challenges in the coming decades from climate change, widening wealth gaps, food insecurities, extreme housing shortages and other needs. These challenges will disproportionately impact low-wealth communities and communities of color. Therefore, it is NCRC’s intention and pledge to uphold the values of community empowerment in the fellowship program.

Interested students and host organizations must apply for this fellowship opportunity.

Program Benefits for Student Fellows Include:

• High-quality training and support from regional leaders in the nonprofit, government, planning and community development fields
• A $20,000 stipend for the eight-month, part-time (20-hours per week) fellowship
• The opportunity to meet with leaders in the nonprofit, government, planning and community development fields
• Academic credit, in accordance with the policies of the Fellows’ respective universities
• Complimentary admission to the NCRC annual Just Economy Conference

Program Benefits for Host Organizations Include:

• Fresh, innovative talent to help advance organizational mission
• The opportunity to help shape the next generation of community development leaders
• Participation in a fellowship program at little to no cost

The Process

1. NCRC Members Apply; 2. NCRC Selects Member Projects; 3. Students Apply To Selected Projects; 4. Top Student Candidates Interviewed; 5. NCRC & Member Select Student Fellow; 6. NCRC Onboards Member & Student 7. Fellowship Commences

Host Partnerships

Fellowship host partners must be NCRC members. If your organization would like to participate in the Fellowship but is not a member, you can join here and then apply.

Host Requirements

• A compelling project to provide a challenging assignment for fellows with real world application.
• Must commit to a schedule with at least one day per week in office for both fellow and host supervisor.

The General Operating Support for Large Organizations Grant provides two years of funding to arts organizations in Washington State, aiming to cover day-to-day operational costs. With a focus on equity, funding will be distributed based on priorities that emphasize cultural diversity and community engagement. Eligible organizations can request up to $6,000, distributed in two equal payments. This grant is designed to support the growing creative sector while maintaining accessibility for underserved communities.

The Snoqualmie Tribal Organization Grant for Arts & Culture supports nonprofit organizations in Washington State, helping to enhance access and diversity in the arts. With grants of up to $50,000 available, the Snoqualmie Tribe has a history of charitable giving, having donated over $8 million since 2010. This initiative aims to partner with community groups and artists to foster cultural enrichment and engagement.

The Snoqualmie Tribal Organization Grant supports nonprofit organizations in the Snoqualmie Valley, offering up to $50,000 to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations located in Washington State. Since 2010, the Snoqualmie Tribe has donated over $8 million to various community initiatives, including arts, sports, and food banks, fostering community development and support. This grant aims to enhance the welfare of diverse communities by funding vital services and programs.

The General Operating Support for Midsized Organizations Grant provides two-year funding of up to $12,000 to arts, heritage, and culture organizations in Washington State for general operating expenses. The grant aims to equitably distribute funds while supporting community engagement in the creative economy, emphasizing cultural equity and diversity. Eligible applicants must have a mission focused on art and meet specific criteria, including a minimum operating budget and three years of programming history.

The Youth Leadership Council Grant, offered by the Yakima Valley Community Foundation, empowers high school students to drive positive change through philanthropy and leadership. This unique program trains a diverse cohort of youth on topics like equity and community needs, allowing them to distribute $50,000-$100,000 annually to impactful projects. Focus areas include health equity, support for immigrant communities, and educational opportunities. Eligible organizations must serve Yakima County or the Yakama Nation and meet specific criteria.