Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in Washington

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Washington working on social justice, environmental sustainability, housing, education, or community development can receive sponsorship funding for programs, events, or capital campaigns. Beneficial State Foundation provides up to US $1,000, prioritizing existing clients and partners; requests must be submitted at least 60 days before funds are needed.

Mission

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) is an independent, international, nonprofit organization founded in 1923. The Council fosters innovative research, nurtures new generations of social scientists, deepens how inquiry is practiced within and across disciplines, and mobilizes necessary knowledge on important public issues.

Driving University Impact: Expanding the Public Exchange Network

With generous support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Social Science Research Council is pleased to invite U.S. R1 research universities in SSRC’s College and University Fund for the Social Sciences to apply for funding to join the Public Exchange Network. Public Exchange is a new network that turns university research expertise into real-world action and impact. Foundedat the University of Southern California in 2020 and expanded to Washington University in St. Louis in 2025, Public Exchange connects researchers with government, nonprofit, and industry partners to tackle pressing challenges—from disaster recovery and climate solutions to food insecurity and homelessness prevention. Since its founding, Public Exchange has developed high-impact collaborations between 48 partners and 142 researchers including:

• CLEAN LA and CLEAN STL: One of the largest free soil testing programs for lead in Los Angeles County following the January 2025 wildfires, and a related program in St. Louis to test soil and air for contaminants following the May 2025 EF-3 tornado;
• The California Solar Canal Initiative: An ambitious public-private research collaboration to advance solar panel infrastructure along California’s 4,000 miles of open aqueduct, conserving water and generating renewable energy;
• Food Base LA: LA County’s first food systems data dashboard, helping LA County and non-profit partners target distribution of millions of pounds of food and related resources to families experiencing food insecurity;
• ShadeLA: A people-powered campaign to cool Los Angeles ahead of the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics by advancing natural and built shade cover in the region.

Partners have included the City and County of Los Angeles, the State of California, the City of St. Louis, Yelp, Solar AquaGrid, the United Nations Foundation, Keck Medicine of USC, the Southern California Association of Governments, Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, the Sustainable Entertainment Alliance, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Department of Angels and many more. In addition to real-world impact positively affecting millions of lives, Public Exchange collaborations have resulted in over $18m in research funding, some helping to incubate new centers or areas of research, more than 40 academic journal publications, hundreds of media hits, and dozens of student career opportunities. 

The Public Exchange Model

Public Exchange is a partner-driven program, working collaboratively with external partners to: (1) define a research scope, timeline, and deliverables; (2) identify the right team of multidisciplinary academic experts to analyze the problem; (3) provide project management from concept and strategy development to project outputs and tools delivery; and (4) manage the public and stakeholder engagement related to the project, as well as communications and design needs. Public Exchange staff are not researchers, but come from government, industry, and non-profit backgrounds, uniquely equipping project teams to understand partners’ needs and lead projects to action. Staff oversee activities including partnership and proposal development, funder cultivation, research translation, dissemination, and communications, impact and scaling strategy, administrative support, cross-sector convening, and more, to maximize the real-world impact of university expertise. Public Exchange builds results-driven teams that deliver measurable impact and lasting solutions for partners.

How the Public Exchange Network Works

No single university – even a large R1 – has enough faculty expertise available to meet the needs of every partner. The Public Exchange Network was designed to help universities work together seamlessly to build robust partnerships and generate more collective impact. Universities joining the network are independent but affiliated members, with full control over their own program and project portfolios. As a national network with local, on-the-ground capacity, Public Exchange Network members can also share approaches that work, scale solutions to common problems, and build cross-regional partnerships together. 

As an institutional partner in the Public Exchange Network, universities will build capacity to develop, test and implement solutions to the most urgent problems in their regions and beyond. Universities joining the Public Exchange Network get:

• The tools, templates and training they need to start right away;
• A shared brand they can plug into on day one;
• A network of faculty, past and potential partners and philanthropic relationships, benefitting everyone in the network. 

SSRC Public Exchange Network Expansion Grants

Public Exchange Network Expansion grants will cover 75-80% of the minimum estimated annual costs for two years to launch a new Public Exchange. To launch a Public Exchange, universities must have the following in place: (1) a staff executive director with experience launching and leading social impact partnerships, (2) a project seed fund, and (3) a modest operations budget. We also recommend some in-kind project management support from an existing university staff member. The grant includes a two-year Public Exchange Executive Director (ED) compensation subsidy of $300,000 to launch the Public Exchange on campus, and a 2-year license to use the Public Exchange brand. New Public Exchange Network members will also receive ongoing support and guidance from current Public Exchange leadership and staff at USC and WashU, including recruitment support and intensive training for hiring and onboarding an executive director, a sub-site on the Public Exchange website, incubation and project management support from current Public Exchange staff, and a suite of tools for developing and implementing Public Exchange projects.

In addition, every university in the Public Exchange Network benefits from central communications support (currently housed at USC), and access to a collaborative network of project partners, researchers, and funder relationships. Separately, SSRC will select a local research fellow to study and document how the Public Exchange model develops within and between host institutions during the grant term, and how the Public Exchange Network universities work together to effect larger-scale change. 

Expectations

Institutions selected to join the Public Exchange Network are expected to:

• Hire an Executive Director who can launch and lead efforts to incubate social impact projects with public and private sector partners;
• Have in place before public launch: (1) an executive director, (2) a seed fund, (3) a modest operations budget, and (4 – recommended) some in-kind project management support. 
• Develop and sustain at least three high-impact research partnerships during the two-year grant tenure;
• Invest modest resources during the grant term that demonstrate commitment to continuing the Public Exchange model after the end of philanthropic support. This is estimated at approximately $85-$90k annually (with some variation considering local labor markets) to support an operations and project seed fund and any additional capital needed for the Executive Director hire beyond the subsidy. 
• Coordinate with the SSRC research fellow who will examine the impact of Public Exchange at their university and across the network. 
• Work with faculty across their university. Public Exchange can live anywhere within a university at the school or central level. The majority of Public Exchange projects to date at USC and WashU have included researchers from two or more schools, and grantees must be able to work with faculty university-wide. 

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Washington’s Puget Sound region can seek funding for arts and culture, education, healthcare, human services, and civic or community projects. With a mission to improve quality of life, The Norcliffe Foundation provides capacity building, capital, general operating, program, and challenge or matching support across eleven eligible counties.

Nonprofit legal organizations, solo practitioners, and small law firms pursuing impact litigation can access recoverable grants from The Impact Fund to cover out-of-pocket litigation expenses such as expert fees and discovery costs. Washington nonprofits working on economic, environmental, racial, or social justice cases that benefit communities facing systemic oppression may be eligible for US $10,000 - US $50,000 awards.

Washington and Oregon 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking funding for smaller capital items, equipment, or capital projects can apply for the Forest Foundation’s Capital Projects Grant. Organizations working in counties such as Pierce, Clark, Kitsap, and others on youth development, basic needs, environment, arts, or community-building programs may be eligible.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Washington can apply for Forest Foundation support for special events, camps, and smaller capital items or equipment that strengthen programs. Focused on youth development, community building, environment, arts, and self-sufficiency, this grant emphasizes projects in Pierce County and selected Southwest Washington counties, with some capital support in Oregon.

With a mission to improve rural infrastructure, USDA: Rural Development (RD) provides Washington state and local governments, private nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes with funding for water, wastewater, solid waste, and stormwater systems. Eligible rural areas and small towns can use grants for acquisition, construction, improvements, and related project costs when commercial credit is not available.

Nonprofit organizations and public agencies in Washington planning or educating around historic preservation can seek US $2,500 - US $5,000 for local projects. National Trust for Historic Preservation supports planning, capacity building, and public education efforts that advance preservation, including professional consultants, staff time, community forums, and innovative outreach to new audiences.

Civil legal aid providers and nonprofits partnering with them in Washington can apply for Legal Foundation of Washington Accelerator Grants, awarding US $20,000 - US $100,000 for one-year, time-sensitive civil justice projects. Funding supports innovative, anti-racist initiatives centering historically excluded communities, including immigrants, Native and Indigenous peoples, and people impacted by the justice system.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, tribal entities, and select government institutions in Washington can seek M J Murdock Charitable Trust equipment and technology grants over US $50,000 to build capacity. Funding supports new, long-lived equipment or technology in areas like education, health, environmental stewardship, arts, and community services, with grantees covering at least half of purchase costs.

Nonprofit organizations, tribal entities, and select government institutions expanding programs or staff in Washington and the broader Pacific Northwest can seek more than US $50,000 to build capacity through Strategic Project Grants. M J Murdock Charitable Trust supports mission-focused projects across arts and culture, education, community services, health, environmental stewardship, and scientific research on a multi-year, declining basis.

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.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) health, safety, and human services organizations in Washington communities served by Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power can seek funding for programs like addiction services, mental health, disaster relief, first responders, and wellness. With a mission to support community vitality, Pacific Power Foundation also considers some government entities for projects benefiting its service-area residents, with awards up to US $10,000.

Local and Tribal governments and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Washington can seek up to US $10,000,000 to design, construct, and restore riverine floodplains while reducing flood risk. With a mission to improve flood resilience, the State of Washington Department of Ecology provides funding for multi-benefit projects such as land acquisition, riparian restoration, and salmon habitat conservation.

Nonprofits, public schools, and qualifying local, city, Tribal, or faith-based organizations in North Central Washington can access Icicle Fund Community Grants to support arts, environmental, and history-focused work. Grants from Icicle Fund help Washington organizations with unrestricted funding of US $3,000 - US $35,000 for programs, staff, technology, capacity-building, and other mission-driven needs.

Washington 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on children and youth development, community building, environment, arts, or self-sufficiency can access funding through Forest Foundation for programs, projects, general operations, or smaller capital items and equipment. The foundation prioritizes organizations in Southwest Washington, especially Tacoma and Pierce County, with most non-capital support focused in Pierce County.

Nonprofit organizations and public agencies serving Walla Walla and Columbia counties in Washington can access funding through Sherwood Trust’s Core Grants to support community services. Sherwood Trust provides Washington nonprofits with capacity, community, and capital grants that strengthen organizational resiliency, improve facilities, and advance inclusive, collaborative projects aligned with a thriving, equitable Walla Walla Valley.

Nonprofit organizations and eligible public entities providing cancer or cardiovascular disease education, awareness, or support services in Washington communities near Bayer sites can seek invitation-only funding for program costs. With a mission to strengthen health and wellness, Bayer Fund provides evidence-based programs with support, including limited overhead and evaluation expenses, for projects typically completed within one year.

Nonprofits, government units, school districts, tribes, and eligible fiscal sponsors in Washington communities served by First Fed can apply for First Federal Community Foundation’s grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $100,000 for community support, affordable housing, economic development, and community development projects. Funding focuses on Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, and Whatcom Counties.

Nonprofit organizations, government entities, and certain other groups in Washington can seek AARP Foundation’s flagship Community Challenge grants to improve livable communities for residents 50 and older. Focus areas include vibrant public spaces, transportation and mobility, diverse housing options, digital connectivity, and community resilience projects, with awards up to US $25,000.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, educational institutions, and youth groups in Washington can seek funding for education and STEM initiatives, including K–12, higher education, literacy, workforce development, and youth development programs. With a mission to support community vitality, Pacific Power Foundation provides up to US $10,000 for projects in its Washington service-area counties.

Washington nonprofits providing or partnering on civil legal aid can access funding through the Legal Foundation of Washington’s Race Equity Grants; awards are US $50,000 for multiyear racial justice work. Eligible projects include direct civil legal services, systemic advocacy, policy reform, tribal issues, and operational support that advance race equity in the civil justice system.

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.

Washington nonprofits and public entities working on community enhancement or environmental stewardship can access funding through PacifiCorp/Pacific Power/Rocky Mountain Power Foundation to support local projects. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations, educational institutions, youth and cultural groups, and health and human services agencies in the utility’s Washington service counties may receive up to US $10,000 for community and environmental initiatives.

The Legal Foundation of Washington offers Partnership Grants to support civil legal aid organizations serving low-income individuals across the state. These grants provide essential operating funds, promoting stability and encouraging long-term planning within the civil justice sector. By partnering with organizations focused on direct legal aid and systemic advocacy, LFW aims to enhance equity in access to justice. The application process includes a Letter of Intent, with funding decisions influenced by previous awards and the overall impact on legal aid coverage.

Washington arts and culture nonprofits, cultural institutions, and related 501(c)(3) organizations can access funding for festivals, museums, theater, music, visual arts, and cultural heritage projects through PacifiCorp Foundation. Eligible projects must benefit communities in the listed Washington service-area counties and may also include government entities carrying out charitable arts and cultural programs.

Arts and culture nonprofits in Washington focused on performing or visual arts, historic preservation, or cross-cultural education can seek project support through the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation; awards range from US $2,000 - US $5,000. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations must serve communities within the Rocky Mountain Power or Pacific Power service areas.