Grants Fund Diverse Causes

Donors trust us to monitor current and emerging community needs, and to identify local organizations capable of meeting these needs. The Foundation in turn invests and administers these unrestricted gifts, ultimately making grants to local agencies.

Donors recognize that community needs change over time and grants from their endowment funds will be made for years to come by foundation board members who are knowledgeable about current issues.

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Grantmaking Policies

Community Foundation funds support a variety of charitable, cultural, educational, health, and environmental organizations. The grants we make from unrestricted funds vary depending upon changing needs within our tri-county service area.

Grants applications are considered from qualified nonprofit institutions or organizations. Typical grants range from $1,000 to $7,500. Emergency grants may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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General Grant Guidelines

• Grants are typically limited to 501(c)(3) organizations serving residents in Thurston, Mason & Lewis counties.
• Grants will not be made to religious organizations where the funds would be used in whole or in part to further the organization's religious purposes.
• Grants will not be made to individuals.
• Grants will not be made to annual campaigns of organizations, capital campaigns for bricks and mortar, endowment funds, direct mail, special events, or for multiple year commitments.
• Grants will not be made for political or lobbying activities.
• Grants will not be made to organizations which discriminate with regard to age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, national origin, religious affiliation or presence of a disability.
• Grants may not be used for debt reduction or for costs already incurred.
• Preference may be given to organizations which have not been funded for two years.
• Projects with matching funds are encouraged; in some cases the Grants Committee may require that matching funds be secured.

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2010 Spring Grants Awarded

Twelve community nonprofits in Thurston, Mason and Lewis counties received grants during The Foundation’s spring grant cycle. Almost $50,000 in unrestricted and donor-advised funds combined to benefit the following:

A Gift for Special Children

Mason County

Financial and referral assistance to families with special needs children ($1,000).

American Red Cross Mt. Rainier Chapter

Thurston, Mason & Lewis counties

Replenish “comfort kits” and pediatric supplies used in disaster events ($2,500).

Behavioral Health Resources

Thurston & Mason counties

Educational program in healthy lifestyles for children ages 5 -12 who have been diagnosed with a mental illness ($5,000).

Capital Playhouse

Thurston County

Provide 1,000 books to young people participating in the “Page to Stage” program ($2,500).

Harmony Hill

all counties

Support for cancer retreat and workshop programs ($4,500).

Hood Canal Education Foundation

Mason County

To build a LCD reader board to serve the education and arts communities ($2,500).

Intercommunity Mercy Housing

Thurston

Affordable, service-enriched housing for low-income and formerly-homeless Thurston County families ($5,000).

Kiwanis Club of Olympia Foundation

Thurston

Build a multipurpose structure for use as a training, processing and storage facility at community garden ($10,000).

Olympia Symphony Orchestra

Thurston

Operating support to sustain and enhance the symphony’s 2010-2011 season ($1,250).

Pope’s Kids Place

Lewis County

Respite care program for families with children with developmental disabilities and/or medical fragility ($5,000).

South Sound YMCA

Thurston

“Survive & Thrive” cancer survivor fitness program in conjunction with the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center ($7,500).

Thurston Community Television

Thurston

Funding for an Americorps volunteer to staff “Empowering Young Minds & Voices” program for low-income and at-risk youth to acquire television production skills ($2,500).

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Fall 2009 Discretionary Grants

During Fall 2009, The Community Foundation awarded $55,500 in grants to nonprofit organizations in Mason, Thurston and Lewis Counties. This money is in addition to donations made directly from donor-advised funds which totaled another $77,800.

Anna's Bay Music Center

Mason County

$2,600 to produce Handel's Messiah.

Catholic Community Services

serving Thurston, Mason and Lewis Counties

$5,000 for The Community Kitchen project.

Cispus Learning Center

Lewis County

$5,000 in match funding for an AmeriCorps volunteer.

Community Youth Services/Haven House

Thurston County

$4,000 to shelter youth in crisis.

Family Education & Support Center

Thurston and Mason counties

$3,000 to train “Parents as Teachers,” a nationally recognized early learning program.

Garden-Raised Bounty

Thurston and Mason counties

$3,000 support for building gardens for low-income families.

Mason County Literacy

Mason and Thurston counties

$5,000 to recruit and train volunteer tutors.

Save Our County's Kids

Mason County

$5,000 to fund the transitions program for incarcerated youth returning to school or work.

Stonewall Youth

Thurston, Mason and Lewis counties

$3,250 to support, inform and advocate for youth seeking guidance with regard to their sexual orientation.

Turning Pointe

Mason County

$5,000 in operational support for the domestic violence shelter.

YWCA/The Other Bank

Thurston County

$2,750 for personal hygiene and cleaning supplies for low-income and homeless families.

HorsePower! Therapeutic Riding Program

Thurston County

$1,500 to acquire equipment needed to serve additional children with special needs.

Thurston County Food Bank

$6,000 to acquire a refurbished outside refrigerated container.

Grays Harbor/Pacific Counties Food Bank Distribution Center

$4,000 to support distribution of food resources to all Washington State food banks.

Mason Matters

Mason County

$500.00 to hold a leadership program.

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