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.

Grants from Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation help Washington nonprofits and other eligible 501(c)(3) organizations deliver direct services in education, health and human services, arts and culture, and community service. Programs must primarily benefit low-income, rural, and underserved people, including at-risk youth and individuals with special needs, and demonstrate strong community financial support and low administrative costs.

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.

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.

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.

Washington nonprofits providing K–12 education for Native American children living on reservations can access funding through The Ruth Danley and William Enoch Moore Fund. Grants support year-round, direct-service educational programs with demonstrated impact, measurable outcomes, and long-term sustainability, primarily within select regions including Washington and several Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states.

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.

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) 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.

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.

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.

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.