Focus Grants Program

Focus Grants Program is sponsored by Community Foundation for Southwest Washington. This program offers funding to nonprofit programs and projects focused on interrupting the cycle of intergenerational poverty and creating pathways for prosperity for underserved families and communities. The program prioritizes investing in organizations working with populations disproportionately impacted by economic, racial, and/or social inequities.

Focus Grants | Community Foundation For Southwest Washington Interrupting the cycle of poverty locally through a participatory process that balances the need for immediate support and long-term, systemic change. Currently, we provide two Focus Grant cycles annually on the following timeline. If a cycle is scheduled to close on a weekend, the deadline for submissions will move to the previous Friday at midnight.

Submit your application by 11:59 PM This deadline has been extended to April 3, 2026 Nonprofits notified of Cycle 1 decisions Submit your application by 11:59 PM Late November—Early December Nonprofits notified of Cycle 2 decisions Focus Grant awards vary in size, typically ranging between $25,000 and $50,000, and go to organizations that demonstrate how they are disrupting the cycle of intergenerational poverty.

Before applying, we encourage applicants to review our Grantseeker's Guidebook and Grant Framework to get a deeper understanding of the three intersecting impact areas that make up our strategy. You can also preview the application here . Intention of Focus Grant Program We acknowledge the experience of poverty is not shared equally in our community.

Throughout history, policies have systemically excluded certain communities from the opportunities we all need to thrive, influencing their disproportionate experience of poverty. Through our strategic grantmaking, we are committed to reducing disparities in the following ways: Supporting organizations working to address the root causes of intergenerational poverty and create pathways for prosperity.

Advancing policies and systems that center people with lived expertise. Prioritizing organizations led by members of the communities for which they serve. Reaching into local communities and actively engaging as a strategic partner to all the counties we serve.

Increasing the capacity of organizations in the community whose work, mission and values align with our own. Investing in innovative, community-driven strategies to solve emerging and structural societal issues. We are proud to partner with a long list of local organizations that are advancing critical work and cultivating change in southwest Washington communities.

Our Focus Grant Program prioritizes investing in organizations working to disrupt the cycle of intergenerational poverty and create pathways for prosperity in the following populations with intersecting identities disproportionally impacted by economic, racial and/or social inequities in our region.

➜ Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x, Native Hawaiian, Pasifika, Communities of Color ➜ Foster youth and foster youth aging out of system ➜ Immigrants and/or Refugees ➜ Historically under-resourced communities or communities lacking critical infrastructure ➜ People existing within or affected by the criminal justice system ➜ People living with behavioral health issues, including addiction and substance use disorder ➜ People living with disabilities (developmental, intellectual, neurodivergent, physical) ➜ People living on low incomes ➜ People who identify as LGBTQ2S+ ➜ People who are unstably housed/unhoused ➜ Rural and distressed communities ➜ Survivors of domestic violence, gender violence, sex trafficking and/or child abuse We try to make our application process as straightforward as possible, but there are always questions.

If you don’t find your answer below, please reach out to our Program Team. How do I determine if our request aligns with the Focus Grant program criteria? If you have questions regarding alignment, please review our Grantmaking Framework , Community Impact Lens and decision-making criteria .

If you still have questions, we encourage you to reach out to [email protected] . Does the Focus Grant Program target its investments to specific priority populations? We know that nonprofits’ funding needs far exceed our limited grant dollars.

Therefore, we have prioritized investing in organizations working with populations disproportionally impacted by economic, racial and social inequities in our region . How often can an organization apply for a Focus Grant? If your organization is awarded funding in Cycle 1, we request you wait until the next calendar year to submit another proposal.

If your organization's request is declined in Cycle 1, you can apply in Cycle 2 of the same calendar year. If your organization receives an award in Cycle 2, you are eligible to apply in Cycle 1 of the following calendar year. What happens after an application is submitted?

We strive to respond to applicants within eight to ten weeks of the close of our grant cycle. After the cycle closes, the Program Team begins an initial vetting phase to ensure applications are complete and aligned with the grantmaking criteria. Sometimes, a member from the Program Team will reach out to applicants for follow-up questions.

Then the Community Grants Committee begins a robust grant review and discussion process before making award decisions. Once complete, approved grants are paid directly to the applicant organizations. Can an organization apply for multi-year funding?

We make a limited number of multi-year awards. If you are interested in exploring multi-year funding, please email the Program Team at [email protected] prior to submitting an application. Who supports the decision-making process?

Since the creation of the Focus Grant Program, we have relied on local volunteers to connect charitable resources with community needs. Today, our Community Grants Committee is comprised of members who have local knowledge, expertise and connections to the communities we are working in partnership with to disrupt the cycle of intergenerational poverty. We have geographic representation from all three counties.

Additionally, we have a diverse coalition of members who work across systems and sectors and have expertise in the following areas that align with our impact areas: housing, mental health, K-12 education, higher education, community organizing, social services and workforce development. What are the reporting requirements for grantees? We do not require post-award reports.

However, members of the Program Team will be reaching out during the second half of your grant award period to learn about successes and/or challenges your organization is experiencing. We hope to partner with you on your work and to stay in open communication with you as your work unfolds. These informal check-ins are always scheduled and can be conducted in person or by phone.

Do Focus Grant applications receive consideration for other Community Foundation funding streams? Yes. Our goal is to ensure as many proposals receive funding as possible.

Throughout the review process, we will share applications with our Donor Relations team in an effort to identify alignment between unfunded proposals and fundholder interests. If a proposal is selected for funding, that organization will receive an award notification letter and grant check. Organizations that receive such funding from Donor Advised Funds should address all acknowledgements as specified in the award letter.

Are there character limits on the questions in the application? The only question with a defined character count is the section asking for a brief description of the request. For the remainder of the application, we ask that you define the community need, your approach and intended impact in a concise manner.

What data should I include in my application? We request that only relevant localized data or information be included. If more information is needed, a member of the Program Team will reach out to you for follow-up.

Do you provide feedback on unfunded applications? Yes. We strive to support local nonprofits in as many ways as possible.

A key way our Program Officers assist organizations is by providing support and feedback through all stages of the grantmaking process. Please reach out to them at [email protected] to schedule an appointment for feedback. What types of funding support are included?

Since 2021, we have classified all Focus Grant awards as general operating support. For organizations headquartered outside of our service area, we do ask for a southwest Washington-specific project budget. Esra is here to help you create more meaningful impact in our community.

Esra Khalil Senior Program Officer 610 Esther Street, Suite 201 Ursula is here to empower you to drive more positive change. Ursula Arlauskas Program Officer 610 Esther Street, Suite 201 “The grants we received through the Community Foundation have allowed our program to flourish considerably in the community. We are just four years in and have already connected hundreds of children and families to the joys that school gardens provide.

” Ian Thompson Executive Director Lower Columbia School Gardens We are committed to fostering access and opportunity for all communities. To comply with state and federal laws, the Community Foundation maintains a non-discriminatory policy that extends to its grantmaking, impact investing and scholarships.

This policy states that award decisions do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, citizenship status, creed, religion, religious affiliation, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status or any other protected status under applicable law.

Staff, fundholders and board and committee members must uphold this policy for legal obligations, but also as part of our organization’s promise to advance equity and serve all residents in southwest Washington. Read our Equity Statement Tools and Resources to Further Your Mission I would like to receive the following: Professional Advisor Newsletter