Best Grants for Community Centers in Washington

The Environmental Grantmaking Program at the Educational Foundation of America (EFA) aims to support projects that facilitate a transition to a net-zero electricity system. Focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the program emphasizes initiatives that enhance access to affordable clean energy, accelerate regional transitions, and strengthen financial investment in electric utilities. Eligible applicants include 501(c)3 public charities, academic institutions, and government entities committed to sustainable energy solutions.

The WAEF Scholarships, supported by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, provide over $1 million in educational awards to more than 300 students this year. Aimed at those with ties to Washington's tree fruit industry, the Brian Kershaw Memorial Scholarship specifically assists children of Kershaw Companies' employees. It covers community colleges and vocational schools, with opportunities for renewal for up to four years, ensuring long-term educational support for eligible applicants.

The McMillen Artist Community Reverse Scholarship Program supports visual artists in Washington State by offering competitive grants aimed at fostering artistic excellence and community engagement. This program encourages artists to share their involvement in community initiatives, thereby enhancing cultural understanding and addressing social justice issues. With a focus on debt relief, the program helps artists achieve their creative career goals while building a vibrant artistic community.

The Lindberg Foundation Trust Grant, established in 1954, supports various charitable causes in Washington. Founded by W. H. and Isabel P. Lindberg, it has a history of philanthropy that includes contributions to the Tacoma Art Museum and the Humane Society. The trust focuses on areas such as arts, education, health, and human services, offering grants to 501(c)(3) organizations in the state. This commitment reflects the Lindbergs' legacy of community support and cultural enrichment.

SC Johnson Grants aim to enhance community welfare through charitable contributions, focusing on health, sustainability, and opportunity. Since 1937, the company has committed five percent of its pretax profits to support registered charities and nonprofit organizations, especially in areas where it operates. The grant program prioritizes initiatives addressing healthcare access, environmental conservation, and educational equity, ensuring that efforts align with the values of community service and corporate responsibility.

The Conservation Connect Fellowship Program, offered by the National Forest Foundation, invites graduate students to engage in hands-on conservation projects. This fellowship provides practical experience, mentorship from conservation professionals, and training in collaborative leadership. Fellows will gain a deep understanding of forest management and expand their professional networks. With a focus on developing future conservation leaders, the program seeks students passionate about public lands and community engagement.

The Tulalip Cares: Charitable Fund Grant aims to promote a sustainable community by providing financial support to eligible charitable organizations in Washington State. Since 1993, this initiative has significantly impacted local communities, focusing on arts, education, social services, and youth programs. With over 50 million dollars allocated to more than 245 organizations, the Tulalip Tribes encourage collaborative efforts to enhance the quality of life in the region, prioritizing funding for those located in Snohomish County.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation offers Family Literacy Grants to nonprofit organizations that support family literacy initiatives. Eligible applicants must provide services such as adult education, children's education, and parent-child engagement activities. Organizations must be located within 15 miles of a Dollar General store and have a valid IRS tax ID. This funding aims to enhance literacy skills for families, empowering individuals to achieve their educational goals.

Bell's Brewery Small Grassroots Grants support projects focusing on water stewardship across the Great Lakes watershed. With grant amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000, eligible organizations can apply for funding to improve ecosystem health, enhance public health through better water resource management, and promote resilience against climate-related water risks. This initiative highlights Bell's commitment to environmental stewardship and community support in all 50 states and DC.

The Freshwater Algae Control Grants (WA) support initiatives to manage toxic algae blooms that threaten public health and ecosystems. The program offers funding ranging from $100,000 to $200,000, with a maximum award of $50,000 per project. Eligible applicants include state agencies, counties, cities, and tribes. Priority is given to lakes affected by harmful algae in the last three years, emphasizing the program's commitment to addressing pressing environmental challenges.

The Western Big Game Seasonal Habitat and Migration Corridors Fund, managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), aims to enhance big game habitats and migration routes on federal, private, and Tribal lands. With an anticipated funding of $3 million, projects will focus on improving habitats for species like elk and mule deer, fostering biodiversity and climate resilience. This initiative supports sustainable wildlife populations and prioritizes collaborations with key partners such as the U.S. Department of Interior.

Accepting applications for affordable multifamily rental projects — IDD funding available

What funding is available?

The Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce) is soliciting applications for new multifamily rental affordable housing projects seeking capital funding from Washington State’s Housing Trust Fund (HTF), administered by the Multifamily Housing Unit (MHU).

This Notice of Funding Availability and Solicitation (NOFA) is intended for applicants seeking to undertake activities resulting in an increase of affordable housing stock in Washington State, or to preserve existing affordable housing stock through rehabilitation.

MHU intends to award $$21,892,625 made available by the Washington State Legislature.

The NHLBI Career Transition Award (K22) supports postdoctoral fellows and research trainees in the NHLBI Division of Intramural Research, facilitating their transition to independent research roles at extramural institutions. Key deadlines for applications include October 12, 2024, and February 12, 2025, among others, providing ample opportunity for qualified investigators to advance their careers.

The NAACP X Society Awards Scholarship

The NAACP x Society Awards Scholarship is one of many funding opportunities available to students through NAACP's Inspire Initiatives. We offer scholarships to outstanding and qualified students pursuing undergraduate degrees. Through the generosity of our donors, we advance efforts to ensure equity in educational opportunity that prepares students for success in school, work, and life.

Scholarship amount: $1,000 to $5,000

This is a non-renewable scholarship opportunity.

The Puget Sound Stewardship and Mitigation Fund Grant aims to enhance water quality in Puget Sound through community-based projects. Funded by the Rose Foundation, the grant supports 501(c)3 organizations and governmental entities focusing on pollution mitigation, conservation, and education. Grants typically span one year with a maximum of $40,000. The foundation prefers locally-led initiatives and encourages applications from environmental justice organizations to foster equity in project implementation.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources launched its Prescribed Fire Program in the fall of 2021 with the goal of reintroducing a cost-effective tool with a high rate of success for forest restoration and wildfire risk reduction in the dry forests of central and eastern Washington. Prescribed fire is a critical tool for completing objectives with the 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan: Eastern Washington.

Prescribed fire is a tool long used on dry-forest ecosystems in central and eastern Washington by Tribes, land management agencies and conservation groups. These types of forests, with their ponderosa pines and other fire-adapted plants, historically had low-intensity fires burn through their understories on a regular basis. These low-severity fires reduced the amount of ladder fuels capable of taking fires up into tree canopies, where they spread much more rapidly than at ground level.

A prescribed fire applies low-severity fire to the forest floor in order to reduce built-up vegetation while helping mature trees stay healthy and resilient. Trained fire professionals follow burn plans guided by state and federal regulations to reduce wildfire fuels on the ground, reintroduce vital nutrients into the soil, and restore natural, fire-adapted habitats for wildlife.

Safety is the number one priority of DNR's official prescribed fire policy - scheduled burns do not take place as planned if conditions do not meet strict and uncompromising standards. Skilled professionals within the agency conduct prescribed fire operations on DNR-managed lands, assist partner agencies with prescribed burning on land they manage, and oversee a certification program for people who want to lead or participate in prescribed burns.

The Transformation Grants for Research on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities aim to address the increasing prevalence of developmental disabilities among American children. This initiative focuses on advancing early diagnosis and impactful therapies while removing barriers to equitable access to care. Organizations eligible for funding must primarily serve individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and be 501(c)(3) registered nonprofits based in Oregon or Washington, ensuring support for the most affected communities.

The Kuni Foundation's Imagination Planning Grant focuses on addressing the urgent need for quality, affordable housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Oregon and Washington. With funding ranging from $15,000 to $75,000, the grant supports organizations dedicated to developing inclusive housing solutions. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) non-profits committed to serving the IDD community, ensuring that innovative and sustainable housing options are explored and implemented.

Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office

The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) is a small state agency that manages grant programs to create outdoor recreation opportunities, protect the best of the state’s wildlife habitat and working farms and forests, and help return salmon and orcas from near extinction.

Land and Water Conservation Fund

The Land and Water Conservation Fund provides funding to preserve and develop outdoor recreation resources, including parks, trails, and wildlife lands.

Congress created the fund in 1965 with the passage of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, which authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance to states for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas. All communities may compete for funding in this program.

All property acquired or developed with these grants must be kept forever exclusively for public outdoor recreation use.

Typical Projects

• Renovating community parks
• Building skate parks, tennis courts, swimming pools, and trails
• Protecting wildlife habitat
• Building athletic fields

Planning Requirement

To apply for this funding, grant applicants must have completed a comprehensive recreation or conservation plan. See details on the planning page and in Manual 2: Planning Guidelines.

The Tribal Transit Mobility Grant Program aims to address transportation needs within tribal communities, funded entirely by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. With up to $10 million available per biennium over 16 years, this initiative encourages federally recognized tribes to apply for transit-related projects. Eligible projects include vehicle acquisition, planning, operating assistance, and small construction. Applications should be submitted alongside a duplicate for the Consolidated Grant Program to maximize funding opportunities.

Independent Remedial Action Grants (IRAGs) provide funding for local governments to clean up contamination, supporting the Voluntary Cleanup Program. With a total of $700,000 available for the 2023-2025 Biennium, grants can reach up to $450,000 for economically-disadvantaged entities. A 50% match of eligible costs is required, though lower matches may be negotiated. These grants aim to facilitate effective cleanup processes while reducing financial burdens on communities.

Washington State Department of Commerce

The Washington State Department of Commerce’s mission is to strengthen communities in Washington. We are the lead state agency charged with enhancing and promoting sustainable community and economic vitality in Washington. We administer a diverse portfolio of more than 100 programs and several state boards and commissions, all focused on helping communities achieve positive growth.

Low-Income Home Rehabilitation Grant Program (HRGP)

The Department of Commerce is issuing a Request for Applications (RFA) to solicit proposals from qualified applicants interested in administering the Low-Income Home Rehabilitation Grant Program (HRGP) in rural areas of Washington State, defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as “non-entitlement” areas.

The HRGP provides funding to help low-income households address health, safety, and durability issues in existing single-family homes. Eligible services include home repair and improvement activities for individuals who own and permanently reside in their single-family residential structures. Priority must be given to homeowners who are:

• Senior citizens
• People with disabilities
• Families with children who are five years old and younger
• Veterans

The Salmon Recovery and Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration Grant aims to restore and protect salmon habitats, enhancing their health and numbers. The program focuses on vital areas in Puget Sound, the second-largest estuary in the U.S., and is a collaboration between the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office and the Puget Sound Partnership. Eligible projects must align with regional recovery plans and demonstrate effective habitat restoration strategies.

The Arcora Foundation offers sponsorships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to support Washington state organizations focused on reducing barriers to oral health care. Their mission emphasizes equity, aiming to uplift community-led initiatives that promote health and prevent disease. Applications should be submitted at least 8 weeks before the event, as sponsorship requests are considered monthly. This funding is not available for individual dental care.

Bristol Myers Squibb is dedicated to enhancing healthcare and advancing scientific knowledge through its Corporate Giving program. By supporting various organizations, BMS aims to improve health equity and access to essential medicines for underserved populations. Their focus includes charitable donations, medical education, and community support initiatives. This commitment reflects BMS's goal to make a positive impact on patients' lives and foster strong communities where their employees work and live.

The Doell Family Scholarship, established by the children of Bill and Mildred Doell, honors their parents' commitment to education and community service in North Central Washington. This scholarship aims to support graduating seniors from Chelan, Douglas, or Okanogan counties who plan to pursue a degree in journalism or music. Preference is given to students demonstrating financial need and academic potential, ensuring that the legacy of the Doell family continues to inspire future generations.

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.