2012 Grant Application Deadlines

Spring Cycle - Friday, March 9, 2012 before 5:00 p.m.

Fall Cycle - Friday, October 5, 2012 before 5:00 p.m.

To Apply for a Grant:

1. Complete the Philanthropy Northwest Common Grant Application Form, including the narrative section and requested attachments.
2. Include applicant contact(s) email(s) and phone number(s) in the signature block of your cover letter.
3. We require one (1) complete application (contains all attachments) and four (4) COLLATED copies. Copies do not need to contain the 990 tax filing or the audited financial statement.
4. Do not use staples, report covers or folders; we ask that only paper clips or binder clips be used to collate applications. Improperly bound or collated applications will NOT be reviewed.

Grantmaking Policies

The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound supports a variety of charitable, cultural, educational, health, and environmental organizations. The grants we make vary depending upon changing needs within our tri-county service area.

Grants applications are considered from qualified nonprofit institutions or organizations. Emergency grants may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

General Grant Guidelines

Grants are typically pmited to 501(c)(3) organizations serving residents in Thurston, Mason & Lewis counties. Lassen Foundation funds must benefit Thurston County residents.

Preference may be given to organizations which have not received funding during the previous calendar year.

Projects with matching funds are encouraged.

Grants may not be used for costs already incurred (prior to June 30 for the spring cycle and December 31 for fall cycle) or debt reduction.

Grants will not be made to/for:

• individuals
• annual campaigns of organizations
• capital campaigns for bricks and mortar
• endowment funds
• direct mail campaigns
• special events
• political or lobbying activities
• religious organizations where the funds would be used in whole or in part to further the organization's religious purposes
• organizations which discriminate with regard to age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, national origin, religious affiliation or presence of a disability

Resources for Grant Seekers

From The Chronicle of Philanthropy, July 28, 2011.

Books:

• How to Say It: Grantwriting: Write Proposals That Grantmakers Want to Fund, by Deborah Koch (Prentice Hall Press)
• Proposal Planning and Writing, by Jeremy T. Miner and Lynn Miner (Greenwood Press)

Other Resources:

• The Association of Fundraising Professionals includes a resource center and bookstore on its website.
• Grant Craft explains tools grant makers use to evaluate proposals.
• The Foundation Center offers in-depth information on individual foundations.
• The National Council of Nonprofits offers classes and resources on proposal writing through its 36 state associations.
• The Network for Good Learning Center offers resources on its website for charities seeking help writing proposals.