Best Washington Grants for Nonprofits

The WAEF Scholarships, funded by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, support over 300 students annually with more than $1 million in educational awards. Open to children of employees in the tree fruit industry, these scholarships are available for various accredited institutions. Eligible applicants include current high school seniors and college students with direct ties to the industry. Awards can be utilized at two-year colleges, four-year universities, or vocational schools, promoting diverse career paths.

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 Garden Club of America Award in Coastal Wetlands Studies supports graduate students engaged in coastal wetlands research. Established through the Rockefeller Environmental Education Fund, this scholarship promotes conservation by funding field work in tidal and nontidal wetlands across coastal states, including the Great Lakes. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a U.S. graduate program and can propose their own wetlands study. The award aims to foster environmental education and scientific inquiry in this vital ecosystem.

The CHS Foundation offers funding for innovative projects in precision agriculture and data analytics. This annual grant program supports colleges and universities focusing on enhancing agronomy and ag mechanics curriculum. Applications are accepted from April 15 to May 31, with priority given to initiatives that foster hands-on learning and technology development. Eligible projects should emphasize data analysis and improve students' understanding of agricultural technology, while adhering to funding guidelines.

The Muckleshoot Charity Fund supports community organizations in Washington, offering grants between $1,500 and $5,000. Priorities include education, health services, culture, and advocacy for communities of color and Native American programs. Applications are accepted year-round, reviewed quarterly, and funds are sourced from Muckleshoot Casino profits. Eligible applicants must be non-profits or government agencies addressing identified community needs, ensuring impactful contributions without exceeding one grant per year.

The WAEF Scholarships, provided by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, support over 300 students annually with more than $1 million in educational awards. These scholarships are available to graduating seniors and current college students whose parents work in the Washington tree fruit industry, including apple, cherry, or pear orchards. Recipients can use the funds at accredited colleges and universities, promoting education in various fields related to the tree fruit sector.

The WAEF Scholarships, established by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, support over 300 students pursuing diverse educational paths. This year, recipients benefit from over $1 million in scholarships, funded by contributions from the tree fruit industry. Created in honor of Glady Bellamy, a pioneering figure in this sector, the scholarship prioritizes students with ties to the industry, encouraging those aspiring to build careers within it to apply.

The ArtsFund Community Accelerator Grant, funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, provides unrestricted grants ranging from $2,500 to $25,000 to cultural nonprofit organizations in Washington state. In its third year, the program aims to support arts and culture by offering essential capital to organizations meeting eligibility requirements, including a minimum three-year existence and a primary mission centered on arts activities. This investment is crucial for enhancing the capacity of cultural organizations to serve their communities.

About this funding

This program will provide approximately $3 million of state transportation funds over the '25-'27 biennium. There is no match requirement. Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) produces these funds. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs and improving public health. Learn more about the CCA at www.climate.wa.gov.

E-Bike Lending Library and Ownership Grant Program

Learn about a grant process governmental, tribal or nonprofit organizations can participate in to establish or administer an e-bike loan program.

The state legislature funded this grant program to help more people use e-bikes. Organizations receiving this grant can set up or continue administering e-bike libraries which provide a cost-free opportunity for people to try riding and integrating e-bikes into their lifestyles for a fixed period of time.

Grantees should design their lending libraries in collaboration with communities that will use them.

Financial Education Grants provides grants to deliver financial education programs to all people who live in Washington State. DFI is committed to providing financial education to Washington residents. It is our belief that by providing financial education information we can help consumers be better-informed and less likely to become victims of fraud, predatory lending, or other financial scams.

The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) provides regulatory oversight for our state’s financial service providers. DFI is self-supporting. Its operating revenues are paid by the organizations and individuals it regulates.

The Department of Financial Institutions protects consumers and advances the financial health of Washington State by providing fair regulation of financial services and educating consumers to make informed financial decisions.

Leading the way in consumer protection and financial services regulation.

The agency has adopted the following core values:

• People First

• Trust

• Innovation

• Accountability

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

The Society for Northwestern Vertebrate Biology (SNVB) offers scholarships of up to $1500 for two students conducting vertebrate research in Northwestern North America. Eligible applicants include undergraduate, masters, and PhD students who are enrolled in accredited institutions and members of SNVB. The scholarships cover research-related expenses such as travel and supplies. Preference is given to proposals from local institutions, and only one award is granted per applicant each year.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has provided funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to address cybersecurity risks and threats to information systems owned or operated by state, local and territorial governments. EMD and WaTech leaders, in coordination with a planning committee that has broad-based membership, drafted a statewide strategic cybersecurity plan, which was approved by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in July 2023.The goal of the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) is to help states, local governments, rural areas, and territories address cybersecurity risks and cybersecurity threats to information systems. The program enables DHS to make targeted cybersecurity investments in state, local and territorial government agencies, thus improving the security of critical infrastructure and resilience of the services that state, local, and territorial governments provide to their communities.

Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

The Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) offers scholarships to over 300 students with ties to Washington's tree fruit industry, providing more than $1 million in educational funding this year. Scholarships are available for high school seniors and college students, emphasizing applicants' commitment to education and overcoming challenges. Eligible recipients can pursue various degrees at accredited institutions, including vocational programs relevant to the industry. Scholarships are competitive and aim to support students on their educational journeys.

What does this program do?

It provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

• To help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
• Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

Microenterprise Development Organizations must demonstrate experience in managing a Revolving Loan Fund, or:

• Certify that it or its employees have received education and training from a qualified microenterprise development training entity so that the applicant has the capacity to manage such a revolving loan fund.
• Demonstrate that it is actively and successfully participating as an intermediary lender in good standing under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program or other similar loan programs as determined by the Administrator.

What kind of funding is available?

• Grants are available to provide technical assistance to rural micro-entrepreneurs or microenterprises, up to $100,000 annually.
  • Funding at the requested level is not guaranteed, and at least 15 percent matching funds are required.
• Loans of $50,000 to $500,000 may be used for establishing a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund managed by the Microenterprise Development Organization.
  • Total aggregate debt is capped at $2.5 million.

What are the loan terms?

• Maximum term is 20 years.
• Two-year payment deferral.
• Must establish a loan loss reserve fund.

What terms are required on loans to ultimate recipients?

• Up to $50,000.
• Fixed interest rate.
• Limited to 75 percent of project cost.

How may the funds be used?

Microlenders may make microloans for qualified business activities and expenses including, but not limited to:

• Working capital.
• Debt refinancing.
• Purchasing equipment and supplies.
• Improving real estate.

The WAEF Scholarships, supported by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, provide over $1 million in educational awards to more than 300 students this year. Open to those with family ties to Washington's tree fruit industry, these scholarships are available for various degrees at accredited institutions. H.R. Spinner Corporation employees can apply for vocational, two- or four-year, or graduate programs, fostering the next generation of talent in the agricultural sector.

The Pedestrian & Bicycle Program, funded by the Washington State Department of Transportation, aims to enhance safety and mobility for pedestrians and cyclists. With an available budget of $49,380,000 for the 27-29 biennium, it supports projects like bike lanes and sidewalk improvements. The program emphasizes the importance of active transportation and requires annual reporting on project statuses to ensure transparency and accountability.

Safe Routes to School Program

The Safe Routes to Schools Program (SRTS) provides funding to improve safety and mobility for children by enabling and encouraging them to walk and bicycle to school. Funding from this program is for projects within two miles of primary, middle and high schools (K-12).

Concurrent with the federal safe, accountable, flexible, efficient transportation equity act of 2005, a safe routes to school program is established within the department. The purpose of the program is to:

Enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school;

Make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; and

Facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.

Call for projects open

Funding proposals are now being accepted for the Safe Routes to School Program. The estimated available funding amount is $56,950,000 for the 27-29 biennium

The WAEF Scholarships, provided by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, support over 300 students annually through more than $1 million in educational awards. These scholarships primarily benefit students with parents employed in the tree fruit industry, enabling them to pursue a range of degrees at accredited institutions. The John Daniel Gebbers Memorial Scholarship specifically targets students with technical skills seeking vocational education related to modern technology, ensuring a pathway into the industry.

The WAEF Scholarships, provided by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, support over 300 students annually with more than $1 million in educational awards. These scholarships are primarily aimed at Washington state high school seniors and college students with ties to the tree fruit industry, specifically those pursuing degrees in engineering or business. Eligible candidates must have ongoing family connections to the industry, ensuring a focus on education and professional development in this vital sector.

The WAEF Scholarships, including the Joe & Ann Hall Education Fund, support over 300 students in pursuing higher education through more than $1 million in scholarships. Applicants must have ties to Washington's tree fruit industry, demonstrating strong academics and a commitment to careers in agriculture or technical fields. These scholarships can be applied at accredited two- or four-year institutions, facilitating educational opportunities for deserving individuals.

The WAEF Scholarships, supported by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, provide vital financial assistance to over 300 students pursuing degrees related to the tree fruit industry. This year, more than $1 million has been awarded, benefiting those with ties to apple, cherry, or pear orchards. The Jerry Haak Memorial Scholarship specifically honors a leader in the field, encouraging candidates from agricultural backgrounds to further their education and careers in the industry.

The Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) offers scholarships to over 300 students, totaling more than $1 million in educational awards. These scholarships primarily support high school seniors and college students with family ties to the Washington tree fruit industry. Eligible recipients can pursue various degrees at accredited institutions. The fund honors Jennifer Witherbee, a long-time executive director, recognizing her dedication to empowering students linked to this vital agricultural sector.

The WAEF Scholarships, offered by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, provide over $1 million in educational awards to more than 300 students linked to the tree fruit industry. Eligible applicants include Columbia Farm Services employees and their dependents, with a minimum GPA of 2.5. This initiative supports students pursuing diverse degrees at accredited institutions, ensuring a strong connection to the industry through employment or family ties.

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 WAEF Scholarships, offered by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, support over 300 students this year with more than $1 million in awards. These scholarships are aimed at high school seniors and college students with family ties to Washington's tree fruit industry. Eligible recipients can pursue various degrees at accredited institutions, ensuring the cultivation of future talent in the agricultural sector. Columbia Reach Pak specifically assists students whose parents are employed at the company.

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 Tree Campus Higher Education Program, initiated by the Arbor Day Foundation, promotes sustainable campus environments by encouraging colleges and universities to foster community forests. By meeting five essential standards, institutions gain recognition for their commitment to tree-care practices, enhancing campus beauty and health. This initiative supports climate change mitigation, energy reduction, and student well-being through green spaces while engaging students in environmental stewardship.