Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in Washington

The Franz Bakery Foundation Grant supports local charitable organizations focused on family support, youth development, and hunger reduction in areas served by Franz Bakery. With an average grant amount of $3,000, the Foundation aims to foster respect, equity, and inclusion within communities. Eligible applicants must be 501c3 tax-exempt nonprofits located in specific states and align with the Foundation's mission. Organizations can reapply annually, although applications do not roll over to the next year.

The RMEF Grant Program lies at the core of advancing our mission.

RMEF established the program in 1986 to provide financial and logistical support to projects that align with our priorities and goals. Grant funds raised by RMEF members, volunteers and generous donors from across the country translate into significantly more conservation accomplishment when matched with partner funds. The RMEF Grant Program also aims to build recognition for RMEF’s work, grow engagement, and boost local fundraising efforts.

Governed by clear guidelines and criteria, the RMEF Grant Program seeks to foster meaningful collaborations and long-term impacts in the conservation of natural resources and outdoor traditions. Grant project partners include federal, state, local, and tribal wildlife and land management agencies, private landowners and local stakeholders, sportsmen and women, and conservation organizations, universities, foundations and the outdoor industry. Eligible projects primarily focus on habitat stewardship, land conservation and access, wildlife management, and hunting heritage.

We support organizations recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)3 entity, federal, state, local, or tribal government entities, sportsmen’s organizations, or educational institutions. All applicants must have a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued by the IRS. RMEF does not offer grants to individuals.

Wildlife Management and Research

RMEF funds wildlife management and research to keep big game healthy and thriving, including disease surveillance, big game-friendly fencing, road management, and scientific studies that expand our understanding of big game habitat, movement, interactions, and overall herd health.

RMEF’s 2026 priorities include:

• Research on migration + connectivity, critical habitat + nutrition, big game population trajectories, challenges to big game populations, and big game management solutions
• Big Game-Friendly Fencing

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.

The WAEF Scholarships, funded by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, support over 300 students with more than $1 million in educational awards this year. Open to Washington state high school seniors and current college students with ties to the tree fruit industry, these scholarships encourage diverse academic pursuits. Recipients may use the funds for accredited two- or four-year colleges and vocational schools, promoting career development in various fields associated with the industry.

The US Department of Health & Human Services, through the NIH, invites applications for innovative approaches to implement SBIRT/P for addressing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use in adults facing health disparities. This funding opportunity encourages research that tests screening, brief interventions, and referrals for treatment or prevention services. Applications are due on specified deadlines from February 2024 through March 2027, fostering collaboration with healthcare and community partners to enhance public health outcomes.

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 are primarily for children of employees in the tree fruit industry, particularly those working in specific locations in Washington and Oregon. Recipients can utilize the funds at accredited colleges and universities, including vocational schools, for a variety of degree paths.

The Wellness Across the Lifespan Grant supports the health of communities by providing access to nutritious food and essential nutrition education. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 are awarded to 501(c)(3) nonprofits in areas where Sprouts Farmers Market operates. This funding emphasizes health and nutrition education, as well as programs that promote healthy lifestyles and nutrition security, ultimately benefiting adults and vulnerable populations.

The WAEF Scholarships, supported by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, aim to assist over 300 students with educational funding exceeding $1 million this year. These scholarships primarily benefit students with familial ties to the tree fruit industry, whether through employment or ownership of orchards. The Brian Fisher Memorial scholarship honors a committed innovator, inspiring future leaders in agriculture. Recipients can pursue degrees at accredited institutions, fostering careers in agriculture and related fields.

The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) Baccalaureate Scholarship supports Washington residents pursuing high-demand STEM and healthcare degrees. With up to $22,500 in financial aid, it covers tuition and essential costs like housing and transportation. WSOS is inclusive, accepting undocumented applicants and focusing on students with financial needs. The program emphasizes career support to ensure scholars succeed from college to their first job, making it an excellent choice for future professionals in critical fields.

Ren H. Rice Scholarship

The scholarship supports students from Spokane County.

Applicants must submit proof of their status as described above. Applicants with physical disabilities must provide a doctor’s report describing the disability and the limitation to their ability to work. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors or graduates age 21 or younger and must be accepted or enrolled at an accredited post-high program in Washington State.

Recipients may re-apply in subsequent years, regardless of age.

The Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) offers scholarships to over 300 students this year, providing more than $1 million in educational awards. Eligible applicants include Washington state high school seniors and college students connected to the tree fruit industry, either through family ties or direct involvement. Scholarships can be renewed for up to four years if requirements are met, allowing students to pursue diverse academic paths at accredited institutions.

The WAEF Scholarships, offered by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, support over 300 students pursuing various degrees linked to the tree fruit industry. This year, more than $1 million in educational awards is available to Washington state high school seniors and current college students. Eligible applicants should be involved in the tree fruit sector, with studies focusing on vocational trades such as refrigeration and electrical technology at accredited institutions.

The WAEF Scholarships, supported by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, provide over $1 million in educational awards to more than 300 students this year. These scholarships target individuals with family ties to the tree fruit industry in Washington, allowing them to pursue various degrees at accredited institutions. Eligible applicants include high school seniors and current college students, with awards applicable to a range of educational paths, including vocational training in fields relevant to the industry.

The WAEF Scholarships, including the Gerri Whiteaker Memorial/Antles Pollen Supplies, Inc. scholarship, aim to support students with ties to Washington's tree fruit industry. This year, over 300 students will benefit from more than $1 million in scholarships. Eligible applicants include high school seniors and college students with family connections to the industry or those pursuing degrees relevant to it. The scholarships honor Gerri Whiteaker's legacy of dedication and service in the tree fruit sector.

The Ethnic Minorities and Women’s Internship Grant supports entry-level athletics administrative positions for one academic year, promoting diversity in NCAA Division II. It provides $30,000 for intern salaries and $3,000 for professional development, benefiting six schools annually from a total budget of $180,000. Eligible applicants must be active NCAA members, with a focus on enhancing ethnic minority and gender representation in athletics administration. This initiative encourages professional growth and compliance in diverse environments.

Service Objects In-Kind Grants support non-profit organizations dedicated to environmental conservation and sustainability. By leveraging their data validation services, they aim to assist projects that promote ecological health and responsible resource management. The program prioritizes applications with clear, measurable objectives and impactful outcomes within one to three years. Organizations with 501(c)(3) status in the U.S. are eligible, while initiatives lacking detailed plans or focusing on generalized education will not qualify. This grant fosters community involvement in environmental stewardship.

About PCORI

PCORI funds patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER).

Our Mission

PCORI helps people make informed healthcare decisions, and improves healthcare delivery and outcomes, by producing and promoting high-integrity, evidence-based information that comes from research guided by patients, caregivers, and the broader healthcare community.

Broad Pragmatic Studies PCORI Funding

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) intends to issue a Broad Pragmatic Studies (BPS) PCORI Funding Announcement (PFA), seeking to fund patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) projects. 

Research Initiative Highlights

CER compares at least two available health treatments, services or care delivery strategies. PCORI seeks proposals that compare clinical interventions (e.g., pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments, screening and diagnostic approaches) and healthcare delivery system interventions (e.g., workforce, technologies, healthcare service delivery designs) to evaluate potential benefits and harms of different treatment and care delivery options, thus generating evidence that empowers patients, caregivers and the broader healthcare community with information to make informed choices that reflect their needs and preferences.

Special Areas of Emphasis

For Cycle 2 2026, PCORI is particularly interested in submissions that address the following Special Areas of Emphasis (SAE) within the BPS funding opportunity. The purpose of identifying these SAEs is to encourage submissions to these areas, rather than limiting submissions to these topics. Applicants addressing one of the below SAEs should identify the area that is best associated with their research approach:  

• Addressing Obesity
• Diabetes Prevention, Care and Treatment
• Management of Urogynecological and Pelvic Pain
• Pain Management for Individuals Living With Sickle Cell Disease

In PCORI-funded research, patients and other research partners are expected to meaningfully contribute their lived experience or professional expertise to ensure studies are patient-centered, relevant and useful for healthcare decision making. Applicants must address PCORI’s Foundational Expectations for Partnerships in Research — an evidence-based framework supported by tools and resources to guide effective engagement strategies. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to consider the inclusion of a broad range of patient-centered burdens and economic outcomes. 

Broad Pragmatic Studies PFA: Category 1, Category 2 and Category 3 Study Specifications

PCORI will commit up to $120 million in direct costs through this funding opportunity. This funding opportunity contains three categories for funding:

• Category 1: Category 1 will support research projects with direct costs up to and including $5 million.

• Category 2: Category 2 will support research projects with direct costs greater than $5 million and up to a maximum of $12 million. Applications for funding under Category 2 will be required to provide additional information in the Letter of Intent (LOI) and application to justify the size and scope of the proposed research projects and to explain how additional funds are necessary with respect to the scale, scope and complexity of personnel and material resources needed to address the research question.

• Category 3: Category 3 will support research projects with direct costs up to $12 million that utilize PCORnet® to conduct observational studies and/or pragmatic trials that are national in scale. Category 3 PCORnet Studies® must include two or more Clinical Research Networks and share study progress, performance metrics and best practices with the network to promote continuous learning and improvement. PCORnet Studies® will leverage the PCORnet Common Data Model® as appropriate. Additional details about Category 3 can be found on the PCORI website.  

The WAEF Scholarships, funded by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, support over 300 students annually with more than $1 million in awards. These scholarships are designed for Washington state high school seniors and current college students pursuing vocational or technical education in the tree fruit industry. Eligible recipients can apply for two $3000 scholarships, with funding raised from contributions by the tree fruit industry. This initiative aims to foster educational opportunities for students in Washington's fruit-growing regions.

The WAEF Scholarships - Susi Harris Memorial supports over 300 students in the Washington tree fruit industry, providing over $1 million in educational awards. This scholarship honors Susi Harris, who dedicated over 30 years to the industry. Eligible applicants include high school seniors and college students with ties to the industry, and preference is given to those pursuing careers in science, math, engineering, or agriculture. Scholarships may be renewed for up to four years.

The Norman Archibald Charitable Foundation Grant supports non-profit organizations in Northwest Washington, focusing on enhancing the quality of life through community services. Established in 1976, the Foundation prioritizes funding for education, the arts, and hunger relief agencies. Grants are awarded primarily to organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) and limited assets, ensuring that funds reach those most in need. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with specific deadlines before quarterly board meetings.

CommonSpirit Health offers the Community Health Improvement Grant to enhance health equity and service systems for underserved populations. Through collaborative efforts with 501(c)(3) organizations, this initiative provides financial support for essential health projects. Grant amounts range from $19,500 for small grants to $150,000 for standard grants, varying by hospital. Participating hospitals include those under Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health, aimed at addressing significant community health needs.

Wayne D Kuni And Joan E Kuni Foundation

Wayne and Joan Kuni were known for their quiet yet profound commitment to community service. Their philanthropy touched countless individuals throughout the Pacific Northwest and included financial support and hands-on volunteer efforts to support medical, educational and human services organizations. Both had their own unique approach to service and a commitment to long-term impact that resonates today through the work of the 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).

Discovery Grants for Cancer Research: Advancing Innovation

We embrace cancer research that takes a bold, collaborative and equity-focused approach, and we consider risk a necessity. We also recognize the importance of research that continues to refine and improve existing approaches. Discovery Grants fund both early and established cancer research in the quest for improved detection, treatment and outcomes.

Discovery Grants funding can be utilized for:

• Research that builds a greater understanding of cancer development and growth
• Research on the cusp of the “next stage” including early research or late-stage research ready for clinical trial
• Research activities seeking to reduce disparities by targeting improved access, treatment and outcomes for marginalized communities
• Research that identifies and dismantles barriers to underserved communities to increase the diversity of clinical participants, population cohorts, and clinical samples
• Research focused on rare forms of cancer or cancer research that is traditionally under-resourced and has seen little development in a decade or more

Projects that demonstrate collaboration and data sharing across a range of institutions and/or disciplines are highly encouraged. However, the principal investigator(s) must be located in Washington or Oregon.

The Forest Foundation offers the Capital Projects Grant to enhance the quality of life in Southwest Washington, particularly in Tacoma and Pierce County. This grant is available to tax-exempt organizations focused on community development, environmental stewardship, and cultural initiatives. Organizations must demonstrate fiscal accountability and innovative solutions. While the foundation prioritizes local projects, it also supports initiatives that empower families towards self-sufficiency. Notably, it does not fund new facility construction or lobbying efforts.

The First Interstate BancSystem Foundation focuses on strengthening communities by providing grants primarily to nonprofits assisting low- and moderate-income individuals. In 2023, they awarded $9.2 million across their footprint, emphasizing projects with significant community impact. Grants are recommended by local First Interstate Bank branches and are evaluated based on the nonprofit's leadership, financial stability, and community benefit. Areas of ineligibility include individual projects and those that do not demonstrate a substantial community impact.

The Tribal Climate Capacity Grants support federally recognized Tribes in Washington State to undertake various climate-related initiatives. These include developing clean energy projects, engaging in Climate Commitment Act spending decisions, and applying for grant funding. This program, funded by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, aims to enhance climate resilience and adaptation while creating jobs and improving public health through strategic investment in climate action.

The Forest Foundation offers grants to support nonprofit organizations and citizen initiatives in Southwest Washington, especially Tacoma and Pierce County. They prioritize projects that promote community well-being, environmental stewardship, and cultural accessibility. Emphasizing fiscal accountability and innovation, the Foundation seeks proposals from tax-exempt organizations in Washington and Oregon. Grants are available for various program areas, including children and youth development, community building, and self-sufficiency, while excluding requests for capital construction and certain operational costs.

Community Foundation of Snohomish County

The Community Foundation works in many roles including that of a funder, partner, and catalyst for change in Snohomish County. Our board and staff have been on a dedicated journey to dismantle racism and oppressive policies in our organization, in our teams and in ourselves.

Mission: Strengthen community and thoughtfully change lives.

Youth Initiative Grant

The Community Foundation of Snohomish County is pleased to announce the opening of the Youth Initiative Grant program. Grant amount will be between $5000-$10,000 depending on the number of qualified grants received.. These grants are intended to support youth programming in Snohomish County, and the grants are not renewable for a second year.

As funding is limited, priority will be given to specific types of programs. 

Funding Priorities

Priority will be given to:

• Organizations with budgets of $1 million or less.
• Grants written by youth. Currently running programs that provide support without requiring increased outcomes or expanded services. The goal is to sustain and strengthen existing efforts without the pressure to scale.
• Programs that are tailored to the unique experiences and serve youth who are intersectionally marginalized, such as LGBTQ+ BIPOC youth, immigrant and refugee youth with disabilities, youth living in rural communities etc. Programs of these groups.
• Organizations offering mental health support, including trauma-informed care, peer support networks, or youth-led mental health initiatives that help youth build resilience and coping strategies for dealing with significant stressors.
• Youth-led healing circles or restorative justice programs that focus on community building, cultural resilience, and healing for youth from marginalized backgrounds.
• Organizations that actively involve youth in all aspects of their programming and leadership, including but not limited to policy and program development, advocacy, having youth on committees and/or boards etc.
• Programs that focus on digital literacy, technology access, and online skills development, especially for rural and low-income youth who may have limited access to digital resources.
• Organizations offering arts-based programs, such as music, visual arts, theater, or cultural projects, that allow youth to explore their identities, share their stories, and engage in community-based creative expression.
• Programs that focus on career development, workforce readiness, and entrepreneurship opportunities for youth, particularly those from low-income or marginalized communities, to help create sustainable pathways for future success.
• Youth-led projects, including community organizing, advocacy, and social impact initiatives that empower youth to drive social change within their communities.
• Programs that pair youth with older adults to promote mutual learning, cultural exchange, and community solidarity.