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Grant Framework
Seeking Shared Prosperity
Thousands of our neighbors are not feeling the gains of broader economic trends. Systemic barriers create hardships that extend across generations, limiting opportunities for people to advance themselves and their families. We focus our grantmaking on programs and initiatives that provide greater access to opportunities underserved communities need to improve their lives and livelihoods. We accomplish this by investing in three impact areas, which we believe will improve all lives in southwest Washington.
Our Priority Populations
➜ Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x, Native Hawaiian, Pasifika, Communities of Color
➜ Foster youth and foster youth aging out of system
➜ Immigrants and/or Refugees
➜ Historically under-resourced communities or communities lacking critical infrastructure
➜ People existing within or affected by the criminal justice system
➜ People living with behavioral health issues, including addiction and substance use disorder
➜ People living with disabilities (developmental, intellectual, neurodivergent, physical)
➜ People living on low incomes
➜ People who identify as LGBTQ2S+
➜ People who are unstably housed/unhoused
➜ Rural and distressed communities
➜ Survivors of domestic violence, gender violence, sex trafficking and/or child abuse
Our Impact Areas
We interrupt persistent poverty by addressing immediate needs and building stability for the long-term.
Basic Human Needs
Educational Attainment
Asset Building
Grant Application Criteria
Program Implementation
→ mission and proposed programming aim to advance racial equity and/or disrupt the cycle of intergenerational poverty
→ established trusted relationships with program participants
→ understanding of how to implement vision and align work with mission
→ work aligns with our Strategic Grantmaking Framework
Equity Framework
→ clearly defined strategies for reducing disparities
→ led by the community they are serving
→ mechanisms in place to operationalize equity
→ practice of incorporating client feedback to shape programs and operations
→ work viewed through a lens of racial equity and justice
Leadership & Sustainability
→ mission and proposed programming clearly align
→ board and staff represent the communities served
→ resources necessary to maintain the work
→ fiscally responsible organization
Collaboration
→ partners with other organizations to leverage efforts
→ implementing community-informed approaches
→ works across systems and silos
Review Our Community Impact Lens
Community Need
The program or organization addresses an important community need in southwest Washington and is focused on dismantling disparities and increasing opportunities for historically underserved communities.
Organization's Mission
The proposed project or work is consistent with the organization’s mission, and the organization has the experience, knowledge and trusted relationships to address the identified community need.
Equity Commitment
The organization is committed to and can effectively demonstrate how it continues to advance diversity, equity and inclusion both internally, through its institutional practices and policies, and externally, through its partnerships and program delivery.
Programatic Alignment
The program or organization is working to build awareness around intergenerational poverty and address its root causes.
Best Practices
The organization’s programs are clearly defined, avoid duplication and are grounded in strength-based practices.
Culturally Responsive
The organization seeks to include the voices and perspectives of the people and communities most impacted during program development and conducts outreach and service delivery with cultural awareness.
Collaboration
The organization seeks to collaborate and share, carrying out their work in coordination with partners or through coalition building efforts.
Sustainability
The organization demonstrates competency in fiscal planning and management; the project budget and grant request are commensurate in size with the organization’s overall budget and with the proposed impact of the work; additional support is sought from other funding sources.
Community Relationships
The organization has established trusted community relationships and meaningful community partnerships.
Meaningful Impact
The outcomes and activities noted are realistic and the organization has demonstrated potential of future impact.
Nondiscrimination Policy
To comply with state and federal laws, the Community Foundation maintains a non-discriminatory policy that extends to its grantmaking and scholarships. This policy states that award decisions do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, citizenship status, creed, religion, religious affiliation, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status or any other protected status under applicable law. Staff, fundholders and board and committee members must uphold this policy for legal obligations, but also as part of our organization’s promise to advance equity and serve all residents in southwest Washington.