Mini-Grants for Mission is sponsored by Faith Foundation Northwest. This grant provides unrestricted funding to faith communities in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington to help them achieve their missions.

Mini-grants — Faith Foundation Northwest Mini-Grants help faith communities do mission. Over the years, generous people have given bequests, trusts, and other planned gifts to the Foundation. Now we’re giving back.

The Foundation exists to support the long-term financial health of faith communities, and we know that sometimes what these communities need most is a short-term influx of cash. Our mini-grants are designed to support special projects. What are you working on?

What are the mini-grants? Mini-grants are small, unrestricted funds ranging from $1,000 to $3,000, designed to support faith communities in their mission-related activities. Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include 501(c)3 organizations or those registered as religious organizations. What can the funds be used for? The funds are unrestricted, meaning they can be used for any purpose that supports your community's mission and goals.

However, we do not provide grant funding for consulting fees. What information do I need to provide in the application? - Organization and contact information - Project title, description, and timeline - Explanation of how the project aligns with your mission - Description of the expected community impact - Methods for measuring project success - Preview the questions here .

How are the grant applications evaluated? Applications are evaluated based on the alignment with the foundation’s mission, the potential impact on the community, and the clarity and feasibility of the project plan. Here is an example of how the questions could be scored: Project Description : A brief summary of two long term outcomes and how they relate to your communities mission.

Share two measurable objectives for each outcome which will help you achieve them. Scoring: up to two points for impactful outcomes, and two points for measurable objectives, for a maximum of four points. Project Timeline : Share key dates and milestones.

Scoring: projects with a realistic timeline receive one point. Budget Breakdown : Share how the funds will be used. Scoring: projects with a reasonable budget receive one point.

Benefit: If you meet the goals and objectives as described in the Project Description, who will benefit? Scoring: application receives one point if beneficiaries are primarily located in an EPA IRA designated disadvantaged community, and one point if beneficiaries are primarily members of marginalized groups, for a maximum of two points. Creation : How is this project being co-created by the community which it will serve?

Scoring: application receives one point if beneficiaries are co-creating the project, and one point if project leadership includes members from marginalized groups, for a maximum of two points. For further questions or assistance, please visit our website or contact our support team. We look forward to supporting your mission-driven projects!

What is an example of a strong or weak application answer Our faith community recognizes the importance of fostering connection—not only among people but between people and creation. To that end, we propose transforming a section of our church property into a community dog park, providing a welcoming space for fellowship, recreation, and outreach.

The dog park will be open to the wider community, creating an opportunity for our church to engage with neighbors who may not otherwise step onto church grounds. Long-Term Outcomes & Related Short-Term Objectives: Outcome 1: Strengthen community connections by providing a welcoming and inclusive gathering space.

Objective 1A: Host at least four community events per year such as pet blessings, adoption fairs, or meetups to foster community relationships. Objective 1B: Partner with at least two local organizations, such as the Humane Society to co-host events or provide services like obedience classes. Outcome 2: Encourage responsible pet ownership and outdoor activity as part of holistic well-being.

Objective 2A: Install educational signage by June 2025 on topics such as pet care, local wildlife preservation, and responsible waste disposal. Objective 2B: Establish a volunteer team by spring 2025 to maintain the park, ensuring it remains clean and safe while engaging more congregants in community service. This project aligns with our mission by promoting fellowship, stewardship of creation, and community outreach.

By offering a gathering space for dog owners, we hope to create opportunities for conversation, relationship-building, and inviting new people into our church community. We want to build a dog park so people in the church and neighborhood have a place to bring their dogs. Right now, there aren’t many places nearby, and this would be convenient.

The park will be fenced and have some benches. We will build the park and advertise it to our community. This will make a portion of previously unused grass at the church property more useful.

When are the application periods? The applications will be open from March 1 to March 31. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the last day of the application period.

Do applications roll over to the next cycle? No, applications do not roll over. You need to apply for each cycle separately.

Can I apply for a project that will need ongoing annual support? These mini-grants are intended to help as many communities as possible spark creative, mission-aligned work. They are not designed to launch projects that will require ongoing or annual funding.

Please do not apply for a project that depends on repeat gifts in future years. Instead, consider one-time initiatives or pilot efforts that your community can sustain independently after the grant period. When and how will applicants be notified of the decision?

Applicants will be notified of the decision within 30 days after the application period closes. Notifications will be sent via email to the contact person listed in the application. Who can I contact for more information or assistance?

For more information or assistance with the application process, please contact us at staff@faith. foundation or (509) 782-2954. What Are Some Previously Funded Projects?

Supporting a ministry providing showers and laundry for the homeless. Kitchen upgrades for a church becoming a resilience hub. Sewer hookups for a transitional housing tiny home village.

Healing retreat for BIPOC women leaders. Walk-in freezer for weekly community meals. AED in a fellowship hall.

Group respite program for adults with dementia. Twice-weekly community meals at a community church. Supplies for a low-income preschool.

Build a community garden supporting food insecure.