In reviewing grant proposals, the Community Foundation considers the following:
Grants Committees made up of community volunteers review and score applications and make recommendations to the Board of Directors. We welcome inquiries from all community members wishing to serve as volunteers on one of our Community Grants committees. If you have any questions about our Community Grants Program or volunteering on our Community Grants committees, please contact Daisha Versaw at daisha@thecommunityfoundation.com.
“Unrestricted grants” invest in a grantee’s mission, rather than specific projects or programs. Grantees may use funds as they see fit to reach their goals. This may include salaries, overhead, technology, marketing, and more. To qualify for unrestricted grants, an organization must be based in Thurston, Mason, or Lewis County and meet all other eligibility requirements.
Click here to read more about the changes we have made to our Community Grants program.
The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound makes grants to 501(c)(3) public charities that serve Thurston, Mason, and Lewis County residents. Organizations must acknowledge that 100% of Community Grant funds will be used in our geography. If your organization or group is not a 501(c)(3), you must secure a fiscal sponsor.
Not eligible:
Exceptions: Organizations with a regional or statewide geography whose applications demonstrate how grant funds will be used for programs and services within our geography. Faith-based organizations whose applications demonstrate programs that meet a critical need in the community and do not require religious participation. Organizations that offer childcare, including camps, whose applications demonstrate robust or inclusive programming or service to underserved populations.
The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound does not support organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disabilities, age, status as a veteran, national origin, or any other protected classes.
Applications typically due in late August. Applications received after the due date will not be accepted. We recommend beginning your application before the due date—especially if you are new to our online grants system.
Community Foundation staff welcome and encourage questions about the Community Grants process.
For questions about eligibility, program objectives, or evaluation criteria, please contact Daisha Versaw at daisha@thecommunityfoundation.com.
For technical support or questions about the online grants platform, please contact Melissa Rosscup at mrosscup@thecommunityfoundation.com or (360) 705-3340.
The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound uses an online grants platform. The platform compiles information and support materials for all of the Community Foundation’s grant programs. If you are new to our online grants platform, you will need to create an account in our system. If you are unsure if your organization already has an account, please contact Melissa Rosscup at mrosscup@thecommunityfoundation.com or (360) 705-3340 before creating an account.
At the time of registration you will be asked to enter the following information:
If you have any questions, accessibility issues, need help with language translation, or have any trouble with the online grants platform, please contact Melissa Rosscup at mrosscup@thecommunityfoundation.com or (360) 705-3340 for assistance.
The Community Foundation aspires to keep the community and our donors informed about the benefits generated from the grants we make. Grantee reports help tell the stories of our communities. The Grant Report is used to capture information to help us communicate your work to the larger community.
If you received a grant from the Community Foundation through our 2021 Community Grants program, we will require a grant report by August 26, 2022.
We will notify you by email when grant reports open. At that time, you'll be able to submit yours via the Community Foundation's online grants platform. Once you are logged in to the online grants platform you'll click "Edit" to begin your grant report or to see a list of grant report questions.
Please contact Melissa Rosscup at mrosscup@thecommunityfoundation.com with any questions about the online grant report.