Best Grants for Teachers Continuing Education in Washington

The BECU Foundation's People Helping People Awards honor exceptional nonprofit work in communities served by BECU. Each year, BECU members can nominate organizations for grants up to $50,000. Eligible nonprofits must be active 501(c)(3) organizations with a direct impact in Idaho, Oregon, South Carolina, or Washington. This initiative highlights the importance of community service and encourages members to recognize local heroes making a difference.

Social Justice Fund Northwest- Sponsorship

At Social Justice Fund Northwest (SJF), we utilize sponsorships as a way of building bridges. Our sponsorships are only available to recent and current SJF grantees (within the past two years) in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and/or Wyoming. We hope that organizations utilize this resource to fund their most ambitious, innovative projects that are often not supported by other funders.

Overview

Grant Awards: One-year sponsorship of $1,000

Focus:

• Ambitious and innovative projects that are often not supported by other funders in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and/or Wyoming.

The Social Justice Fund NW offers sponsorships to grassroots organizations in ID, MT, OR, WA, and WY, encouraging innovative projects often overlooked by traditional funders. Applicants must comply with specific requirements, including being within the designated region and ensuring events are accessible to the public. This initiative supports community-led efforts, particularly those led by Black, Indigenous, and people of color, fostering connections and amplifying collective action through diverse events.

The Snoqualmie Tribal Organization Grant supports veterans services with funding up to $50,000 for nonprofits in Washington State. Since 2010, the Tribe has donated over $8 million to various organizations. Eligible applicants must be IRS-registered 501c3 nonprofits providing services to veterans and their families. This initiative exemplifies the Tribe's commitment to community support and enhancing the lives of those who have served in the armed forces.

The James M. Cox Foundation Grant offers support to nonprofit organizations focused on conservation, early childhood education, family empowerment, and health. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and located in areas where Cox Enterprises operates. Grant applications are accepted year-round, with deadlines before Trustee meetings. Preference is given to organizations with a history of local engagement. This foundation embodies the philanthropic spirit of its founder, James M. Cox, by giving back to the community.

The Stubblefield Foundation Grants Program, managed by the Blue Mountain Community Foundation, supports 501(c)(3) public charities and nonprofits to address community needs in Walla Walla and surrounding areas. It honors the legacy of Joseph and Anna Stubblefield, who dedicated their estate to aid vulnerable populations. With a focus on urgent funding requests, the program emphasizes community engagement and strives to foster a thriving, connected region through charitable initiatives and ongoing support.

The Community Response Fund Grant by the Northwest Fund for the Environment supports local organizations addressing urgent community needs. It focuses on grassroots engagement and environmental movement building, providing short-term funding for projects that empower under-resourced communities and enhance environmental advocacy. The grant aims to promote smart growth policies and protect Washington's aquatic ecosystems by funding initiatives that advance sustainable practices and resilience against climate change. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with a clear project plan.

The Battlefield Preservation Fund Grant aims to support initiatives that preserve battlefields and related historic sites. This funding encourages planning and educational efforts, particularly those that engage new audiences in preservation activities. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofits in specified states. Grants can be used for staff support, consultant fees, and educational materials. Applicants must provide a one-to-one match for funding, ensuring strong community involvement in preservation efforts.

The Sunstate Equipment Foundation Grants support local charities focused on disadvantaged individuals, medical aid, housing assistance, domestic violence awareness, military and veterans' assistance, and care for abused animals. Founded in 2015, the foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that matches employee contributions dollar for dollar, reinforcing its commitment to community support and engagement. Charities in good standing can apply once every 12 months, fostering impactful initiatives where Sunstate operates.

The Sabbatical Research and Education Grant, offered by Western SARE, enables faculty worldwide to collaborate with farmers and researchers in the Western U.S. This program focuses on conducting innovative research and educational outreach in underserved regions, with an emphasis on unexplored topics. Grants up to $75,000 are available for projects spanning one year, promoting agricultural sustainability and community involvement.

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.

HUD811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA) Program

The Department of Commerce is soliciting applications from qualified applicants for funding of units to be set aside for clients referred by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, under the HUD Section 811 Project Rental Assistance program.

811 PRA units provide non-time-limited tenancy for non-elderly persons with disabling conditions.

Cambia Health Foundation is dedicated to enhancing healthcare experiences through its RFP, which aims to support older adult kinship and grand-family caregivers. By promoting strategies that strengthen social connections and improve access to mental health services, the foundation seeks to address the unique challenges faced by these caregivers. The initiative encourages tailored proposals that reflect the diverse needs of kinship families, ultimately fostering a more interconnected and supportive community for aging individuals.

The Kinsman Foundation Small Grants program supports projects that benefit the public in Oregon and southern Washington, focusing on historic preservation and native wildlife rehabilitation. Grants, typically under $5,000, are awarded to tax-exempt nonprofits and government agencies without matching fund requirements. Applications are reviewed every 6-8 weeks, with no specific deadlines for inquiries under $5,000. The foundation emphasizes project support while considering general administrative support valuable for nonprofits.

The NIOSH Miner Safety and Health Training Program aims to enhance health and safety training for miners in the Western United States. With mining fatalities significantly higher than the national average, this initiative seeks to address critical training needs by developing effective programs, increasing qualified instructors, and ensuring compliance with existing safety guidelines. By focusing on culturally appropriate training methods and collaborative efforts with other agencies, the program aims to reduce injuries and fatalities in the mining sector.

The National Sea Grant Law Center is inviting proposals for the Coastal Resilience Program to research laws and policies addressing coastal resilience challenges such as sea level rise and flooding. With a funding cap of $150,000 over two years, this initiative aims to assess the effectiveness of existing policies and promote informed decision-making in coastal management. Up to two projects will be selected for funding, supporting innovative solutions to enhance community resilience against environmental threats.

The Water Quality Combined Funding Program in Washington aims to enhance and safeguard water quality through a competitive funding process. It supports various projects, including wastewater management and stormwater control, while offering technical assistance to applicants. The program combines multiple funding sources, ensuring comprehensive financial support tailored to project needs. Eligible entities include counties, cities, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations. The initiative reflects a commitment to improving environmental sustainability across the state.

The Snoqualmie Tribal Organization Grant for Environmental Education offers up to $50,000 to 501c3 nonprofit organizations in Washington State. Since 2010, the Snoqualmie Tribe has donated over $8 million to various nonprofits. This grant aims to enhance public awareness and knowledge about critical environmental issues, including climate change, by supporting initiatives that educate the community.

Arbor Rising Grant, established in 2010, is a NYC-based nonprofit providing unrestricted multi-year funding and capacity-building support to nonprofits focused on alleviating poverty. The grant process occurs every three years, with the next round in 2025 being invitation-only. Eligible organizations must demonstrate high potential and effective leadership, typically operating on a modest budget. Arbor Rising prioritizes applicants from the NYC metro area while expanding to cover the lower 48 US states.

The Burning Foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, totaling around $650,000 annually, to support environmental 501(c)(3) organizations in Washington and Oregon. The foundation focuses on preserving habitats that enhance biodiversity and promote quiet recreation. Eligible projects must align with their mission of protecting local rivers, forests, and ecosystems. Preference is given to local initiatives over national organizations, encouraging grassroots efforts in environmental conservation.

The J.R. Simplot Company Foundation Grant supports U.S. non-profit organizations focused on art, education, youth, community, and global food and agriculture. Established in 1929, the foundation is committed to enhancing community welfare through creative cultural endeavors, educational initiatives, health services, and youth programs. Applications are reviewed quarterly, ensuring a timely response to organizations dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities.

The Snoqualmie Tribal Organization Grant aims to support nonprofits serving the Native community in Washington State. Offering up to $50,000, this grant encourages initiatives in arts, health, and cultural programs. Since 2010, the Snoqualmie Tribe has generously donated over $8 million to various organizations, fostering community development and support across the region. Eligible applicants must be IRS-registered 501c3 nonprofits located within Washington.

About WSDA

WSDA has been serving agriculture and the public for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we support keeping agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. The nature of our work falls into three primary roles: Service; Regulation; and Advocacy.

Resiliency Grants

To help address critical needs of hunger relief organizations across Washington, WSDA Food Assistance (FA) Resiliency Grants Program applications are open to eligible hunger relief organizations, including those not currently participating in FA core programs.

The Resiliency Grants Program is funded by the General Fund-State operating budget. This grant is a reimbursement grant.

This program contributes to WSDA’s ongoing Focus on Food Initiative, which aims to ensure access to a safe and nutritious supply of food to support a healthy and thriving Washington population. 

WSDA Priorities

This program will prioritize:

• Providing access to flexible funding to hunger relief organizations, including tribes and tribal organizations, to support current and vital organizational needs.
• Supporting hunger relief organizations in ways that they determine are best for their community.
• Supporting access to nutritious food.
• Ensuring funding is distributed across the entire state.

Grant Objectives

Through this program, WSDA will fund projects that bring immediate benefit to the community and target the following objectives:

• Collaboration amongst organizations to make significant improvements to the hunger relief network in their area.
• Increase client access to food and reduce client barriers.
• Respond to organization and community need.

Statewide Funding and Allocations

• To ensure funding is distributed across Washington State, WSDA FA has allocated a percentage of the total grant amount to each region (9 regions) in the state (see region map). The amount allocated is determined by poverty data from each county within the designated region and is dependent on receiving sufficient grant requests from each region.
• Each region is scored separately. The top scored application(s) within each region will be awarded. For example, an application from an organization in King County will not be in direct competition with an application from Pend Oreille County.

Allowable and Disallowed Costs

• For a comprehensive list, see our Allowable and Disallowed Costs publication.
• These funds are not intended for projects better served by Capital Budget requests (see definitions): This document (“WA State Capital Budget 101”) provided by our partners at Feeding Washington explains the Capital Budget process.

The Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation offers grants to nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, focusing on habitat restoration and wildlife preservation. Established in 1987, it aims to support community-based projects and collaborative initiatives that emphasize cultural and natural history. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, with a preference for marginalized communities. The foundation does not fund research projects or media production and is particularly interested in those with limited access to traditional funding sources.

The Pendleton and Elisabeth Carey Miller Charitable Foundation Grant supports civic and cultural institutions in the Pacific Northwest, with a focus on gardens, horticulture, and the region's history. Established in 1994, the foundation has distributed over $12 million to various organizations. Grants are available to 501(c)(3) organizations, including those named in Mrs. Miller's will or that support the study of Northwest history through literature. The foundation aims to continue the Millers' philanthropic legacy.

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.

The Washington State Department of Commerce is inviting applications for affordable Homeownership housing projects. This funding opportunity aims to support the creation of affordable housing units, enhancing the housing stock in Washington State. Eligible projects can apply for capital funding from the state Housing Trust Fund, fostering accessibility to homeownership for residents. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address housing needs and promote sustainable communities.

Washington 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on economic and workforce advancement, housing, or community arts and culture can access funding through US Bancorp Foundation’s Community Possible Grant Program. Organizations based in and serving U.S. Bank communities, especially those led by people of color and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, may be competitive applicants, including programs that strengthen teacher skills or workforce readiness.