Applications Closed April 27, 2026.

Check out the 2025 grants announcement here.
‍

Purpose

The Community Foundation promotes generosity and advances well-being in the South Puget Sound by stewarding long-term charitable resources that support the evolving needs and opportunities of our communities. We believe that inclusive, engaged communities—where people come together to address local challenges, welcome each other's differences, and collaborate—are essential to creating strong and healthy communities where everyone has access to opportunities to thrive.

Launched in 2025, the Project Connect: Civic Life & Belonging Grants program was designed to support this vision. With this funding, we aim to support creative initiatives that bring people together—particularly those who many not typically interact—to build understanding, trust, and shared purpose across the South Sound.

Why This Matters

Across the country and in our own communities, many people feel isolated, divided, and disconnected. In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared social disconnection a public health crisis, linking it to poor health outcomes, declining trust, and weakening democracy. He said,

"At a time when so many people are feeling divided and despondent, our work to build community, could be one of the most important things we do to strengthen our nation.”

Drawing on national research and what we're seeing locally we know that:

• Most people want to connect with others in their communities and work toward something meaningful together
• When people are involved locally, they feel more hopeful and invested in their communities
• Opportunities to come together—across neighborhoods, cultures, and perspectives—can build trust and collaboration

We believe these local efforts to build relationships, create shared experiences, and solve problems together are the foundation of a stronger civic culture and a healthier community

Funding Priorities & Goals

Funding is available for community-led efforts that strengthen civic life and foster belonging across Lewis, Mason, and Thurston counties. We invest in creative initiatives that bring diverse people together—particularly those who many not typically interact—to build understanding, trust, and shared purpose.

Beyond one-time activities, we are looking for projects that clearly define the change they hope to create and explain how their approach will lead to stronger relationships, increased civic participation, or new forms of collaborations. We value partnerships across sectors and communities, and we encourage projects that can inform or inspire continued community work beyond the grant period.

To accomplish this goal, the grant will support projects that focus on one or more of the following:  

• Bring people together across differences to build understanding and connection
• Create new opportunities for civic participation and locally driven solutions
• Celebrate and strengthen a sense of community and shared purpose

Successful initiatives will not only create meaningful moments of connection, but also contribute to stronger networks, deeper trust, and momentum for continued community engagement across our region.

Examples of potential projects include

• Efforts to improve or activate shared public spaces—such as community clean-ups, small upgrades, or events that utilize community space and make them more welcoming
• Collaborative public art, murals, or performances that represent diverse community voices
• Dialogues or workshops that bring together people from different perspectives—across age, faith, or lived experience—to build understanding around a shared issue
• Youth-led civic or service projects focused on local challenges
• Community storytelling circles or oral history projects that connect people across generations, cultures, or backgrounds

 Grant Size

• In 2025, grant amounts ranged from from $1,000 – $5,000 per project.
• We expect to award up to 15 grants awards averaging around $3,000 each in 2026.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include organizations with a valid IRS determination letter confirming their 501(c)(3) status, Native American tribal agencies, public institutions, religious organizations, and projects with an approved fiscal sponsor. Individuals with project ideas may also be eligible by partnering with one of these entities to carry out a project under the organization’s umbrella. The application should be completed under the fiscal sponsor or supporting organization's EIN and name. Individuals or groups applying through a fiscal sponsor must have a confirmed sponsor in place at the time of application.

2026 Guidelines & Timing

Grant Guidelines and Selection Criteria (PDF)

Copy of the Applications Questions (PDF)

Timeline: 

• Applications open March 23
• Applications due by April 27
• Grant review period: April 28 - June 25
• Funds Awarded by July 31

Applications must be received through the grants platform by 11:59 pm on April 27, 2026 in order to be considered.

Questions?

Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is happy to assist with general questions regarding Project Connect: Civic Life & Belonging Grants during regular business hours by phone at 360.705.3340.

You may also reach out directly to Heidi Oehler, Engagement & Initiatives Officer, with specific questions about this grant program. She can be reached by email at heidi@thecommunityfoundation.com.