In reviewing grant proposals, the Community Foundation prioritizes the following:
“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 unrestricted funding and other updates to our Community Grants program.
Eligibility is limited to organizations with up to date 501(c)(3) public charity status or groups fiscally sponsored by an eligible 501(c)(3) organization. In addition to 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsorship:
INELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS
NOTES AND EXCEPTIONS: Organizations with a regional or statewide geography that can demonstrate a strong, local, community-based presence and meet otherwise unmet needs in our geography may apply. Religious or faith-based organizations whose applications demonstrate programs that meet a critical need in the community, do not require religious participation, and align with the Community Foundation’s nondiscrimination policy may apply. Organizations that offer childcare, including camps, which offer robust or inclusive programming or serve underserved populations may apply.
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.
We welcome and encourage questions about the Community Grants process. For questions about the Community Grants program or online grants platform, please use our contact form to connect with our programs team.
Grants Committees comprised of community volunteers who review and score applications help ensure we invest in what matters most in our communities by working together to make grant recommendations to the foundation’s Board of Directors. If you want to know more about this volunteer opportunity or sign up as a grant reviewer, please send us a message using our contact form to connect with our programs team.
If you have any questions or accessibility issues, need help with language translation, or have any trouble with the online grants platform, please send us a message using our contact form or call us at 360.705.3340.
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 and help our team learn more about your work so that we can communicate your work to the larger community.
To submit a Community Grants Report via the Community Foundation's online grants platform, log in to the online grants platform and click "Edit" to begin your grant report or to see a list of grant report questions.
Please send us a message using our contact form or call us at 360.705.3340 with questions regarding grant reporting or if you need help with the online Report Form.