Competitive Grants Program
Our 2024 Competitive Grant Cycle opens on Monday, August 19th
Read below for more information on the different types of grants and application processes.
All applicants must use the online Common Grant Application system.
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Nonprofit Grant Orientation Training
Will be on Zoom or in person on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 1:00pm at the Kitsap Regional Library - Poulsbo (700 NE Lincoln Rd). Learn more about the 2024 Competitive Grants Process during an interactive Q&A Zoom and in-person session by clicking the button below.​
Kitsap Community Foundation, along with the Women’s Giving Circle of the Kitsap Peninsula and the Kitsap Racial Equity and Empowerment Fund, invites nonprofit organizations to submit applications for an aligned community grant cycle.
In an effort to make things easier for local nonprofits, the three grant cycles have been aligned to lower the barriers for funding for those serving charitable missions in our community.
To fulfill its mission "as a catalyst for the greater good," the Kitsap Community Foundation established an annual grant-making process. With the support of our donor-advised funds and a number of other investors, KCF distributions have exceeded $33 million since 1993.
The Competitive Grants Process involves the completion and submission of an online application via Common Grant Application, a third-party company. Applicants will be able to start, save, and return to their grant applications as often as necessary prior to final submission. Only electronic submissions, complete with all required attachments, will be accepted.
Competitive Grant Selection Criteria
KCF supports charitable organizations that benefit Kitsap County & North Mason County. Such evidence may include tax returns, corporate charter and by-laws, financial statements, an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter, and other evidence of accomplishments. When competitive grant applications are reviewed, the Foundation considers the validation of the needs of organizations' constituents, the presence of other support (financial and/or in-kind), program evaluation, and community impact.
If you have additional questions, please email the Grants Committee Chairperson at grants@kitsapfoundation.org
or call the KCF office at (360) 698-3622.
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Other Grants
The Foundation distributes additional grants each year, generally upon the recommendation of fund advisers who hold funds at the Foundation. These grants are typically allocated outside of the Competitive Grants process.
Types of Competitive Grants
Community Grants
Our belief is that meeting a broad range of substantiated local needs improves the quality of life in Kitsap and North Mason Counties. Awards of up to $5,000 may be used by nonprofit organizations working in Kitsap and North Mason County for programs or operating funds within the following program areas:
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Arts and Culture
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Children and Youth Development
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Education
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Environment and Animal Welfare
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Health and Human Services
Foster Care and Family Reconciliation
This two-year grant opportunity will not be open for our 2024 Cycle.
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These grants, available through the Sound Institute of Family and Children's Services Endowed Fund, may be awarded to nonprofit organizations that serve adolescents and their families. These grants are awarded every two years to nonprofit organizations that have programs that:
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Help youth (adolescents up to the age of 25) who have been in the foster care/child welfare system make positive transitions through residential programs, counseling, employment assistance, scholarships, or other supportive services, or:
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Offer residential and non-residential services designed to facilitate family reconciliation for adolescents in conflict with their families.
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Applicants may apply for two-year grants of up to $7,500 each year. If you choose to apply for a two-year grant, the budget you upload must reflect two years of income and expenses. Second-year funding will be contingent upon your program/project's measurable outcomes, submitted report, and the KCF Board of Directors' favorable review of the first year's performance.​
Kitsap Racial Equity and Empowerment Fund
There is an ongoing need to address systemic inequities, which disproportionately impact Black and other communities of color. Meanwhile, there is an urgent need to address how these inequities were amplified by COVID-19, with increased disproportionate adverse impacts on the Black community.
KREEF grants are for “general operating support” and vary in size depending on funding available. These grants are meant to help end systemic racism in our community by supporting culturally relevant programs, services, and activities in Kitsap County that:
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Are aimed at lessening the inequities caused or exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis in or for communities of color, with an emphasis on the needs of the Black community, and
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Have leadership or boards that are reflective of, and accountable to communities of color, in particular the Black community
Women's Giving Circle of the Kitsap Peninsula
The Large Organization grant opportunity will not be open for our 2024 Cycle.
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The Women’s Giving Circle of the Kitsap Peninsula (WGCKP) invites smaller organizations (Annual Revenue under $100,000) that serve women and/or children in the Kitsap Peninsula to use this simplified grant application to request up to $2,500.
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Youth Mentoring
One or more grants of up to $1,200-$1,400 will be allocated in 2024. These grants are provided through the Youth Mentoring Endowment Fund and are specifically for mentoring programs. The Foundation defines mentoring programs as organized, ongoing activities aimed at providing quality and mutually beneficial relationships between competent adults and young persons, with the goal of creating positive youth development.
How To Apply
Instructions
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CommonGrantApplication.com manages our grant applications. If this is your first time using the Common Grant Application, please open an account by signing up here. If you already have an account, login here.
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After you log in the first time, you will be given the option to go to the "Dashboard" page or to go directly to start an application.
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If you have any questions about using the Common Grant Application site, please contact Common Grant Application directly. Their contact information can be found at www.commongrantapplication.com, where you can click on the Contact button. A representative may also be reached by phone at (310) 490-1277.
General Restrictions
The Foundation does not award grants to provide or support:
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Annual campaign appeals
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Capital campaigns or facility improvements
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Endowments
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For-profit organizations
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Individuals
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Political or lobbying activities
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Private operating foundations
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Religious organizations for sacramental or theological purposes*
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Tuition, scholarships, or core operating expenses for (K-12) public schools, charter schools, private schools or universities and colleges.
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Organizations that discriminate with regard to age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, national origin, religious affiliation, or presence of a disability
Other Eligibility Restrictions
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National and regional organizations unable to clearly demonstrate that these funds will be used for operations within Kitsap County and/or North Mason County
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Applications from “start-up” organizations must be pre-screened
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Organizations with an Endowment Fund over $1 million
*Faith-based social service, youth, or community programs are eligible if the following conditions are met: 501(c)(3) organization; program/project has a board-approved mission statement and program/project budget separate from the organization's sacramental or theological budget; secular programs or services are available to eligible participants without regard to religious belief or willingness to participate in religious activities; and the organization ensures that Foundation contributions are not used to support religious activities such as worship or proselytizing.
If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact the Grants Committee Chairperson by email at grants@kitsapfoundation.org or call the KCF office at (360) 698-3622.
2024 Grant Cycle Calendar
Monday, August 19, 2024
The 2024 Grant Cycle opens, and KCF will begin accepting Community Grants and Youth Mentoring applications through the Common Grant Application.
Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 1pm
KCF Grant Application Orientation for new and returning nonprofits - Learn more about the 2024 Competitive Grants Process and applying through Common Grant Application during an interactive Zoom and in-person session at the Kitsap Regional Library – Poulsbo (700 NE Lincoln Rd). Click here to watch the recording
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Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 4pm
KCF Grant Review Committee Hybrid Training & Orientation on Zoom and in-person at the Sylvan Way Library's Heninger Meeting Room in Bremerton (1301 Sylvan Way). Committee members will be emailed the Zoom link.
Monday, September 16, 2024, at 5pm
ALL grant applications are due on Common Grant Application.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
2023 Community Grant, Youth Mentoring Grant, and Foster Care and Family Reconciliation Grant reports are due. If reports are not submitted in a timely manner, your organization may not be eligible for the 2024 grant cycle.
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Monday, January 13, 2025
2024 Community Grant and Youth Mentoring Grant applicants will be notified of their award status. ​
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Friday, January 17, 2025
2024 grant applicants will be offered the opportunity to receive feedback on their applications.
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Friday, October 17, 2025
2024 Community Grant and Youth Mentoring Grant reports are due. If reports are not submitted in a timely manner, your organization may not be eligible for the 2025 grant cycle. ​