Community Impact Fund (CIF)

Community Impact Fund (CIF) is sponsored by The Columbia Foundation. The Columbia Foundation's Community Impact Fund focuses its giving on specific areas chosen with input from Columbia Country Club members, including Education, Health and Wellness, Family and Child Welfare, Veterans, Housing, and Aging.

Community Impact — The Columbia Foundation In addition to providing financial support, the Foundation inspires Club members and their children to engage with its grantees through various hands-on volunteer events and in-kind donation campaigns. Examples of these initiatives include art supplies and backpack drives, diaper bundling and baby supplies sorting, toiletry donations, and non-perishable food collections, among other efforts.

Community Impact Fund Grants Learn More About the 2026 Grant Recipients Grant Application Requirements Organizations must provide needs-based services within the Greater Washington area and show demonstrable positive outcomes within its area of focus. The CIF generally seeks to support organizations with annual revenue not exceeding $2.

5 million (excluding in-kind donations), and eligible non-profits must have been in existence for 3 years or more. Other critical factors include operational and financial transparency, administrative efficiency and effective leadership.

The Foundation strives to develop relationships with its grantees and consideration may be given to charities that have members of Columbia Country Club either serving on its Board or participating in a volunteer capacity. Similarly, non-profits that offer opportunities for the Club to extend in-kind contributions and that welcome Club member hands-on volunteer service may also be given preference.

In 2021, the Columbia Foundation launched a new giving program -- the Community Impact Fund (“CIF”) – to focus its giving and produce a greater impact for supported organizations. Through the CIF, the Foundation awards grants each year, focusing on specific areas chosen with input from Columbia Country Club members.

Grants have been fielded in the areas of Education, Health and Wellness, Family and Child Welfare, Veterans, Housing, and Aging. Horizons Greater Washington (2025) Nourishing Bethesda (2025) Wilderness, Leadership and Learning (2024) Jewish Council for the Aging (2023) St.

Ann's Center for Children, Youth and Families (2023) Don Bosco Cristo Rey (2023) Grant Application Process Step 1: Fill out the interest form Step 2: A Columbia Foundation member will reach out to you with more information and a copy of the Application Form Step 3: Committee reviews grant applications Step 4: Finalist organization present their ask to the CIF Committee Step 5: Grantees announced Applications are generally submitted and processed in the spring, with final grantees announced in late spring or early summer.

For more information on the CIF process, or to learn more about how your local charitable organization might be considered in future rounds of funding, please complete an interest form or email columbiagivesback@gmail. org .