grant programs

We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. By continuing to use our site, you accept the use of cookies described in our privacy policy.

Flare
Grant Programs page image

Funding to Accelerate Your Mission

We advance the work of local nonprofits through our strategic grantmaking programs and other funding opportunities.
63
Organizations Supported by Strategic Grants in 2023
$2.4MillionStrategic Grants Awarded in 2023

Strategic Grantmaking Programs

Vancouver Ballet Folklorico performers dancing at a Dia de los Muertos celebration in 2023 at Esther Short Park in Vancouver, WA

Focus Grants

Responsive funding for organizations working to disrupt the cycle of poverty in the region. Awards provide general operating support for efforts in three key impact areas: basic needs, educational attainment and asset building.

Southwest Washington Equity Coalition, SWEC, during a Vancouver Community Leadership Institute meeting. Two people looking at a phone together smiling slightly

Social Justice & Resiliency Grants

Proactive funding for organizations that build community resiliency and address economic, social and racial disparities. These flexible, rapid response awards vary in size and scope and are awarded on a rolling basis.

Find Your Funding Fit

Before submitting a funding request, we encourage organizations to review our comprehensive Grantseekers Guidebook. To quickly visualize whether your work is a fit for our strategic grantmaking opportunities, we created the following chart.
Grant Consideration Process Image

Review Our Community Impact Lens

The following priorities help guide our funding toward projects and programs that have the greatest potential for community impact.

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.



What organizations are eligible for funding?

Nonprofits, fiscally sponsored projects, government and tribal agencies, churches, school districts and other public entities operating projects or programs in Clark, Cowlitz, or Skamania Counties are eligible for funding. We do not directly fund debt reduction, endowments, parent teacher associations, booster clubs, individuals, labor unions, businesses or other 501(c)(5) and 501(c)(6) organizations.



Can organizations that are not headquartered in southwest Washington apply?

Yes. If an organization has programs or projects serving people in southwest Washington, it is eligible to apply for funding. For organizations headquartered outside of our service area, we do ask for a southwest Washington specific project budget.



Are strategic grant requests considered for other funding streams?

Yes. Our goal is to ensure as many proposals receive funding as possible. Throughout the review process, we will share applications with our Donor Relations team to identify alignment between unfunded proposals and fundholder interests.



Can my organization apply to other funds at the Community Foundation?

No. Organizations cannot directly apply for funding from Donor Advised Funds, so the Community Foundation team works to share funding opportunities with our donors when they align with fundholder interests. If funded, an organization will receive a grant check and award notification letter with instructions for acknowledgment.



Get in Touch

Esra is here to help you create more meaningful impact in our community.
Esra KhalilSenior Program Officer
Address

610 Esther Street, Suite 201

Vancouver, WA 98660

Phone

(360) 952-4308

Esra, an Indian woman, smiling at the camera

Get in Touch

Ursula is here to empower you to drive more positive change.
Ursula ArlauskasProgram Officer
Address

610 Esther Street, Suite 201

Vancouver, WA 98660

Phone

(360) 952-4305

A professional headshot of Ursula Arlauskas standing outdoors