Apply for a grant
2021 Annual Grant Cycle Open Now
Whidbey Community Foundation has announced three topic areas for its 4th Annual Grant Cycle. Grant applications of up to $5,000 will be considered beginning July 1 through August 31. An organization may apply within only one of the following topic areas:
- Childhood Wellness
- Environmental Conservation and Sustainability
- Racial Equity
About the Topic Areas
Childhood Wellness
The health and well-being of children is associated with numerous outcomes on their physical, mental, social, education, and economic development. These grants are designed to support the recovery and wellness of children as they move back towards normalcy after COVID-19 shutdowns. Within this topic area, WCF is prioritizing two areas:
- Early Childhood (ages 0-5)
- Mental Health
Environmental Conservation and Sustainability
The unique environment on Whidbey (and its surrounding waters) is also struggling to recover from a variety of issues, and these grants will provide support for specific conservation or sustainability projects.
Racial Equity
In support of nonprofits on Whidbey that commit to anti-racism work, these grants are designed to help organizations take next steps in the journey to becoming more equitable in practice, policy, leadership, and impact. Examples of projects include internal organizational learning (i.e., training for boards and staff, purchase of educational materials); community engagement (i.e., events, partnership development, and opportunities to engage in dialogue with the broader community); and, compensation/honoraria (for volunteers or those who may provide critical services/guidance on equity). These grants are a starting point for dialogue, learning, collaborative action, and healing.
Eligibility to Apply for a Grant
Any organization that operates with a charitable status or for a charitable purpose on Whidbey Island is eligible to apply for a grant. You do not need to have a headquarters or physical presence on Whidbey, so long as services are provided here.
Whidbey Community Foundation does not award grants for the following ineligible organizations or purposes:
- Annual campaign appeals
- Endowments
- Individuals
- Political or lobbying activities
- Private operating foundations
- For-profit organizations
- Scholarships
- Religious organizations for sacramental or theological purposes
How to Apply
The 2021 grant application can be accessed online.
Paper copies can be made available starting July 1, 2021. WCF prefers applications to be completed online. You may mail in or scan and email a completed grant application if you are not able to access the online version. Please contact the Community Foundation at info@whidbeyfoundation.org or call 360-660-5041 if you have questions or need help accessing the application.
Timeline
Grant applications will be accepted beginning July 1 through August 31, 2021. Decisions are expected to be made by the Board of Directors at the October 2021 meeting, and grants distributed in November 2021.
Reporting and Learning
Grant periods will run for 1 year. We will ask all grantees to send a brief report (1 – 2 paragraphs) at the end of the grant period explaining the result of your grant from Whidbey Community Foundation. We are especially interested in hearing about:
- The use of the funds – what the grant money was able to pay for
- Specific challenges or unexpected changes
- Specific successes
- If available, a picture of your grant and/or the organization (digital format) that we could use in future publicity about Whidbey Community Foundation grants, in order to help us promote your work and raise even more funds to support nonprofits and charitable causes on Whidbey Island.
- Additionally, WCF will follow up with your organization via email and/or phone halfway through the grant term to understand progress to-date, and any stories to share with our broader Island network.
- Finally, we will ask all grantees within each grant program to attend a debrief session at the end of the grant period (over Zoom). Our hope is that this will serve as a learning cohort. We will bring together grant partners as requested to learn, support, and share information.
Other Information
If you have questions about the 2021 Grant process, contact the Community Foundation at info@whidbeyfoundation.org, or call us at 360-660-5041.
Watch the Recording of WCF’s Zoom Community Forum and Learn More About This Year’s Annual Grant Cycle.
As the Foundation grows through investments and gifts from donors and businesses, we will continue to establish a variety of funds and programs to make financial grants to Whidbey Island nonprofits. Stay up to date on when and how we will solicit proposals and distribute grants! Sign up for our email list.
Updated July 12, 2021