Strategic Grants

Strategic Grants is sponsored by Mount Baker Foundation. Supports organizations serving Whatcom County and immigration-impacted communities, focusing on health equity and community-rooted solutions.

Strategic Grants | Empower Community Change – Apply Today — Mt Baker Foundation See below for 2026 funding information. We are no longer accepting applications. Our Strategic Grants are our largest source of funding and support community-rooted efforts that address the upstream causes of chronic disease and build the conditions for everyone to thrive.

We prioritize organizations working alongside communities most impacted by health inequities and trust our Community Grantmaking Committee to lead the direction of the program. This community-led body holds decision-making power over funding priorities, the application and grantmaking process, and final grant recommendations.

In 2025, the Committee prioritized funding for organizations led by and serving immigrant families impacted by ICE activity and LGBTQ+ communities facing increased discrimination and harm. In early 2026, the Committee came together again and chose to continue prioritizing funding for immigrant-led and immigrant-serving organizations.

For any questions about Strategic Grants or interest in joining our Community Grantmaking Committee, email maria@mtbakerfoundation. org 2026 Strategic Grants: CLOSED Mount Baker Foundation seeks proposals from organizations serving immigration-impacted communities in Whatcom County that are working to strengthen community networks, trusted spaces, and culturally responsive support for immigrant families.

For this funding opportunity, "immigration-impacted communities" includes immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented individuals, people with temporary or permanent immigration status, mixed-status families, and others whose lives are affected by immigration laws, systems, or barriers. This also includes family members and communities affected by immigration-related challenges.

Eligible Organizations Must: Serve people living in Whatcom County Serve immigration-impacted communities Be a nonprofit with current 501(c)(3) status, have a qualified fiscal sponsor, or be a tax-exempt organization recognized by the IRS Show that their leadership, staff, board members, advisors, or other decision-makers reflect and are accountable to the communities they serve Grant funds may be used for: General operating support Organizational capacity building Collaborative or partnership-based efforts Community engagement and community-building activities Maximum Award: There is no maximum grant amount.

Organizations should request the amount needed to successfully carry out their work. Requests of all sizes will be considered. Grant Term: Two years.

Please submit your funding request by year (for example: $100,000 in 2026 and $50,000 in 2027).

Examples of work that may be supported include: Creating trusted spaces where immigrant families can gather safely, connect, and access support Helping immigrant families connect to healthcare, mental health services, education, legal assistance, food, housing, and other resources Providing interpretation, translation, language access, and community navigation services.

Strengthening the staffing, leadership, and operations of organizations serving immigrant communities Building partnerships and networks that improve support for immigrant communities Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to maria@mtbakerfoundation. org . LOIs are due July 21, 2026.

We welcome submissions in the format and language that works best for your organization. You may submit: A written LOI (500 words or less) A video response (up to 5 minutes) An audio recording (up to 5 minutes) LOIs may answer the following questions: Who does your organization serve? How does your leadership reflect the communities you serve?

What work are you seeking funding for over the next two years? How will this work build trust, increase safety, improve access to resources, strengthen community connections, or provide culturally responsive support? If your work is successful, what changes do you hope to see?

Organizations selected to move forward will be invited to submit a full application. Invitations will be sent in late summer. Our 2025 Grantee Partners We’re honored to stand alongside these organizations as they lead the way in creating a more inclusive, connected, and healthy Whatcom County.

Bellingham Queer Collective Immigrant Resources & Immediate Support (IRIS)