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Competitive Grants Program

Our Competitive Grant Cycle opens on Monday, August 28, 2023

Read below for more information on applying for our Grant Cycle.

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Nonprofit Grant Orientation Training via Zoom on

Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 1pm. Learn more about the 2023 Competitive Grants Process during an interactive Q&A Zoom session by clicking the button below.

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Passcode to watch: v7mW3.*u

In its efforts to fulfill its mission "to improve our community's quality of life by connecting people who care with causes that matter", the Kitsap Community Foundation has established an annual grant-making process. With the support of our donor-advised funds and a number of other investors, to date, KCF distributions exceed $8 Million.

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.

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 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. 

 

For additional questions, please contact Melissa Luatua, Development Associate at KCF, or the Grant Chairperson, by email at grants@kitsapfoundation.org or by phone at (360) 698-3622.

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Other Grants

The Foundation distributes additional grants each year, generally upon the recommendation of the advisers to specific funds held at the Foundation.  These grants are allocated outside of the Competitive Grants process.

Types of Grants

Community Grants

Our belief is that meeting a broad range of substantiated local needs improves the quality of life in Kitsap County and surrounding areas. These grants of up to $5,000 may be available to any nonprofit organization working in Kitsap County and immediately surrounding areas (North Mason County) within the following program areas:

  • Arts and Culture

  • Children and Youth Development

  • Education

  • Environment and Animal Welfare

  • Health and Human Services

Foster Children and Family Reconciliation

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:

  • 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:

  • Offer residential and non-residential services designed to facilitate family reconciliation for adolescents in conflict with their families.

Applicants may apply for two-year grants of up to $7,500 for each year. The budget you upload must reflect two years of income and expenses if you choose to apply for a two-year grant. Second year funding will be contingent upon your program/project's measurable outcomes, submitted report and KCF Board of Directors' favorable review of first year's performance.

Youth Mentoring

One or more grants of up to $1,200-$1,400 will be allocated in 2023. Provided through the Youth Mentoring Endowment Fund, these grants 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

  1. CommonGrantApplication.com manages our grant applications.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. If you have any questions about using the Common Grant Application site, please contact Common Grant Application directly. Their contact information can be found by going to www.commongrantapplication.com and clicking on the Contact button. A representative may be reached by phone at (310) 490-1277.

General Restrictions

The Foundation does not award grants to provide or support:

 

  1. Annual campaign appeals

  2. Capital campaigns or facility improvements

  3. Endowments

  4. For-profit organizations

  5. Individuals

  6. Political or lobbying activities

  7. Private operating foundations

  8. Religious organizations for sacramental or theological purposes*

  9. Tuition, scholarships, or core operating expenses for (K-12) public schools, charter schools, private schools or universities and colleges.

  10. Organizations that discriminate with regard to age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, national origin, religious affiliation, or presence of a disability

 

Other Eligibility Restrictions

  • National and statewide organizations that cannot demonstrate a significant local presence

  • Applications from “start-up” organizations must be pre-screened

  • Organizations with an Endowment Fund over $ 4 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 Melisssa Luatua at KCF or the Grant Chairperson by email at grants@kitsapfoundation.org or by phone at (360) 698-3622.

Grant Cycle Calendar

Monday, August 28, 2023

Grant Cycle for 2023 opens and KCF will begin accepting applications (Community Grants, Youth Mentoring, Foster Care and Family Reconcilation).

 

Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at 1pm

KCF Grant Orientation for new and returning nonprofits - Learn more about the 2023 Competitive Grants Process during an interactive Zoom session. Click here to join the Zoom session.

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Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 4pm

KCF Grant Review Committee Hybrid Training & Orientation. Location - KCF conference room or via Zoom. The committee will be emailed a Zoom link.

 

Monday, September 25, 2023

ALL Grants Due at 5 pm PST. No late submissions will be accepted.

 

Monday, October 15, 2023

2022 Community Grant, Youth Mentoring Grant. Foster Care & Family Reconciliation Reports Due. If you do not submit your report in a timely manner, you may not be eligible for the 2023 grant cycle.

 

January 15, 2024

2023 Grant notifications sent via Common Grant Application.

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March 31, 2024

We will send feedback to applicants that didn't receive grants.

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