Best Grants for Community Centers in Washington

The WAEF Scholarships, including the Daryl Matson Memorial, support students linked to Washington's tree fruit industry. This year, over 300 students will benefit from more than $1 million in awards, made possible through contributions from industry members. Eligible candidates are high school seniors or college students whose parents work in the tree fruit sector. The scholarships can be applied toward various accredited institutions, fostering diverse educational paths.

The Education and Enforcement-Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities Grant Program in Washington supports the development and management of outdoor recreation opportunities, such as hiking and off-road vehicle use. It promotes environmentally responsible behaviors through education and enforcement initiatives. Funding, sourced from gasoline tax and vehicle use permits, is available biennially to various eligible applicants, including local agencies and Native American tribes, enhancing public access to natural resources.

The WAEF Scholarships, offered by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, provide critical financial support to over 300 students in the tree fruit industry, totaling more than $1 million in educational awards. Designed for those with familial ties to the industry, these scholarships assist students in pursuing various degrees at accredited colleges and universities. Preference is given to applicants from Wenatchee Valley College and collegiate level sports, fostering educational advancement in this vital economic sector.

The WAEF Scholarships, funded by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, provide vital financial support to over 300 students connected to the tree fruit industry, with more than $1 million awarded this year. Eligible applicants include high school seniors and college students whose parents are employed in the industry, with scholarships potentially renewable for a second year. This initiative aims to foster educational pursuits in various fields, benefiting the next generation of professionals in Washington's vibrant agricultural sector.

The WAEF Scholarships, supported by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, offer over $1 million in educational awards to more than 300 students this year. These scholarships are primarily for students with parents employed in the tree fruit industry. Eligible applicants can pursue various degrees at accredited institutions, including technical schools and universities, ensuring a bright future in diverse fields related to tree fruit production and management.

The WAEF Scholarships, offered by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, support over 300 students this year with more than $1 million in awards. These scholarships are aimed at high school seniors and college students with family ties to Washington's tree fruit industry. Eligible recipients can pursue various degrees at accredited institutions, ensuring the cultivation of future talent in the agricultural sector. Columbia Reach Pak specifically assists students whose parents are employed at the company.

The WAEF Scholarships, offered by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, provide over $1 million in educational awards to more than 300 students linked to the tree fruit industry. Eligible applicants include Columbia Farm Services employees and their dependents, with a minimum GPA of 2.5. This initiative supports students pursuing diverse degrees at accredited institutions, ensuring a strong connection to the industry through employment or family ties.

The WAEF Scholarships, provided by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, support over 300 students this year with more than $1 million in educational awards. These scholarships primarily benefit students with parents employed in the tree fruit industry, allowing them to pursue diverse degrees at accredited colleges and universities. The CMI Legacy scholarship honors the contributions of past owners, targeting children of employees from several associated companies. Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria related to their ties to the industry.

The WAEF Scholarships from the Washington Apple Education Foundation support students with ties to the tree fruit industry, offering over $1 million in awards this year. The Cider Works Farms scholarship specifically benefits children of former employees pursuing education at accredited institutions in Washington. With two awards of $1000 and $2000 available annually, recipients may renew their scholarships for up to four years, promoting educational advancement within the community.

The CHS Foundation's Cooperative Education Grant aims to support educational projects that enhance understanding of the agricultural cooperative business model. With a focus on middle school to college-age students, the program encourages innovative approaches, measurable outcomes, and engagement strategies. It prioritizes initiatives with a national or state-level reach within the CHS trade area, fostering success and growth in cooperative education. Funding will be allocated to programs that align with these goals, ensuring a robust educational framework for future leaders in agriculture.

The Andrew York Memorial Scholarship, established by Chelan County PUD employees, honors the memory of Andrew York, a victim of impaired driving. This scholarship aims to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving and seat belt use. It is open to graduating seniors in Washington who are actively involved in their communities and committed to promoting safe driving practices. Preference is given to applicants connected to IBEW Local 77.

The WSOS Graduate Scholarship (GRD) is designed to support Washington students pursuing careers in high-demand nursing specialties, including Adult-Gerontology and Family Nurse Practitioner roles. Offering up to $25,000 over three years, this scholarship covers tuition, fees, and living expenses. It emphasizes serving medically underserved areas, ensuring that recipients commit to practicing in these communities post-graduation. WSOS aims to enhance the local healthcare workforce while addressing financial needs and educational access for diverse populations.

Each year, Innovia awards over $400,000 in scholarships to deserving students like you who are college-bound or pursuing vocational or technical training. Single scholarship awards range between $500 and $4,000.

Bess Mikalson Scholarship

Students must attend state-supported (two or four-year) colleges or universities in Washington State. Awards are granted primarily on the basis of financial need.

Merit and community involvement are also considered. Previous recipients of this award are eligible to reapply. 

The Olympia Tumwater Foundation offers traditional scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 for high school seniors in Thurston County planning to attend college in Washington. Established in 1950, this charitable organization promotes education and community engagement. Scholarships are awarded based on academic performance (minimum 3.0 GPA), work ethic, community involvement, and financial need, supporting local students in their pursuit of higher education.

The Bud and Donna Corbin Scholarship, established by the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, supports graduating seniors affiliated with Saddlerock Evangelical Presbyterian Church. This scholarship honors Bud and Donna Corbin, who were dedicated to helping students in need. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need and possess strong moral character, integrity, and potential for academic success. Renewal is possible, allowing recipients to reapply and compete with new applicants. This initiative reflects a commitment to educational support in the community.

Creative West

Established in 1974 as a nonprofit U.S. Regional Arts Organization (USRAO), Creative West was founded on the belief that place matters to the creative process. Fifty years later, communities of place, practice, experience, and identity remain fundamental to our work, framing our understanding of how culture is creatively produced and collectively experienced.

Creative West empowers artists and culture-makers with direct, practical resources, delivered regionally.

We offer practical, equity-centered learning experiences and funding opportunities that connect and inspire artists, culture-bearers and communities to build a more inclusive sector, strengthen the arts field, and catalyze change.

Native Arts and Heritage Fund

The Native Arts + Heritage Fund (NAHF) is a community-rooted award program created to support Native American and Alaska Native artists, culture bearers, and cultural practitioners across the Creative West region.

Co-designed with Native-centered artists, advisors, and community leaders, NAHF centers care, cultural continuity, and self-determination. The fund honors Indigenous ways of knowing and values process over product, relationship over compliance, and well-being as a meaningful measure of impact. In addition to unrestricted funding, selected artists will participate in a three-month virtual cohort experience designed for connection, reflection, and shared learning.

NAHF is administered by Creative West, an organization that uplifts artists and culture bearers across the Creative West region by providing funding, mentorship, and culturally rooted support.

This is not a project-based grant.

This is an invitation into funding and relationships.

Applicants must provide a letter of support from an Alaska Native or Native American community member who can speak to their relationship to community and cultural work.

Unrestricted Funds May Be Used For:

• Taking time to create, reflect, or rest
• Purchasing tools, materials, or supplies
• Covering food, rent, childcare, or transportation
• Supporting wellness: physical, emotional, spiritual, or cultural
• Participating in cultural exchanges, mentorship, or learning
• Creating space to gather, teach, or share knowledge

Kuni Foundation

We advance the promise of human potential by investing in cancer research and accelerating the inclusion of individuals experiencing intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Imagination Grants: Advancing Opportunity and Inclusion for People Experiencing Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Program Focus

Imagination Grants serve as a catalyst for strengthening or expanding the capabilities of an organization in service to its mission. These one-year grants are intended to fulfill an unmet need or provide a spark to advance initiatives or access additional funding in pursuit of broader community goals. 

Gilead North America Grants support community-informed programs that enhance healthcare for vulnerable populations. Grants are available for innovative projects addressing HIV, liver diseases, oncology, and inflammatory diseases. Applications are invited from tax-exempt nonprofits based in the U.S. who focus on health equity and community engagement. Gilead prioritizes funding for projects that demonstrate a strong capability to deliver impactful outcomes, helping to eliminate barriers to healthcare and improve access to essential services.

The Camp Fire NCW Scholarship, funded by the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, supports high school seniors from Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, Grant, or Adams counties who have been active with Camp Fire NCW for at least two years. This scholarship aims to assist students pursuing further education at accredited institutions or vocational programs in the U.S. It encourages ongoing involvement in community service and offers renewal opportunities for recipients who reapply.

The Paul Lauzier Scholarship offers financial assistance to graduating seniors and alumni of Grant County, Washington high schools attending colleges or vocational schools in the state. Eligible candidates include those pursuing undergraduate or vocational education who have a minimum GPA of 2.75. The scholarship considers academic achievement alongside community involvement and personal integrity. Awards are made annually, requiring reapplication each year, ensuring a fair opportunity for new applicants.

The CRSI Foundation offers an Undergraduate Scholarship Program designed for senior-level students majoring in Civil or Architectural Engineering. This program includes five regional scholarships and six named scholarships, awarded through the CRSI network. Eligible candidates must be pursuing their Bachelor’s Degrees and demonstrate a commitment to the steel reinforced concrete industry. The scholarships aim to support students who are focused on careers in structural engineering.

The Anchor QEA Scholarship supports graduate students pursuing degrees in engineering, environmental sciences, or related fields, with awards between $1,000 and $10,000. This program emphasizes helping those in financial need, particularly focusing on BIPOC students to address inequities in STEM. Eligible candidates must demonstrate a commitment to community service and possess an inclusive mindset. This initiative reflects Anchor QEA's dedication to fostering a diverse and equitable educational environment.

Seattle Foundation is an agent of change, igniting powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all.

At Seattle Foundation, we believe that community is more than a place. It’s the shared understanding that our joy and well-being are tied to one another. Every day we work with nonprofits, philanthropists, and partners like you to strengthen community by igniting powerful philanthropy and advancing long-term solutions. Because it takes all of us to create a joyful region where every person can thrive.

Doyne M. Green Scholarship

Supporting female graduate students of medicine, law, social service, or public service, this scholarship assists current graduate students who study at public universities in the State of Washington with a renewable $4,000 scholarship.

Safe Routes to School Program

The Safe Routes to Schools Program (SRTS) provides funding to improve safety and mobility for children by enabling and encouraging them to walk and bicycle to school. Funding from this program is for projects within two miles of primary, middle and high schools (K-12).

Concurrent with the federal safe, accountable, flexible, efficient transportation equity act of 2005, a safe routes to school program is established within the department. The purpose of the program is to:

Enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school;

Make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; and

Facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.

Call for projects open

Funding proposals are now being accepted for the Safe Routes to School Program. The estimated available funding amount is $56,950,000 for the 27-29 biennium

The Von Voigtlander Family Foundation Grant, though currently closed, aims to support 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, primarily in Michigan. The foundation emphasizes animal welfare, parks preservation, veteran support, and youth empowerment. Their mission is to enhance lives through community-focused initiatives that foster resilience, education, and well-being. They prioritize charities that promote responsible pet ownership, outdoor recreation, and provide resources for veterans and youth, ensuring a positive impact across multiple sectors.

The Recreational Trails Grant supports projects that enhance and maintain trails for various outdoor activities, ensuring a backcountry experience that emphasizes nature over urban development. Eligible applicants include local, state, and federal agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations, with a required 20% match. Projects must remain accessible for at least 25 years. Ineligible projects include new trail developments unrelated to existing trails and land acquisition. This grant promotes sustainability in recreational trail use, fostering environmental protection and community engagement.

The Robanna Fund, established in 1992 by Robert and Deanna Levy, supports students pursuing careers in healthcare. Administered by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, the fund awards scholarships averaging $6,000, depending on various factors such as the number of qualified applicants and donor preferences. Eligible applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, reside in Hawai‘i, intend to major in a health-related field, and demonstrate financial need. This initiative aims to cultivate future healthcare professionals in the community.