APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Foundation Policies

 
Who can apply: Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) organization located in the states of Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, and meet the stated areas of interest. Most grants will be awarded to groups in Washington. (As the foundation has historically made grants to groups in Montana and Idaho, trustees may occasionally invite proposals from those states, by invitation only.)
The Foundation will fund special projects as well as general operating expenses.
Geographical restrictions: Grants are not made to national organizations located outside of the Pacific Northwest, even if the request is for a project addressing local or regional issues.
Generally not funded: Research projects, projects primarily related to scientific analysis, book publications, web or video/film productions, delivery of human social services, capital campaigns, curriculum development, individuals or scholarships. (Capital campaigns related to cultural or natural resource programs may be funded by trustee invitation only.) The foundation does not consider requests from schools, university programs, or government agencies, nor collaborations between nonprofits and government agencies in which the government provides majority funding or leadership.
After receiving three grants from the foundation, grantee groups are asked to wait two years before reapplying for additional support. (Ex: if funded in fall 2001, can reapply fall 2004.)
Average grant size: $3,000 to $7,500. The foundation grants approximately $250,000 each year.
Proposal Review Trustees may at times request a site visit to learn more about the organization.
 
Application Procedure

Pre-Application Letter   (Not optional).
Please submit a two-page preapplication letter explaining your organization, the purpose of your proposed project, and a succinct summary of your goals and strategies. (Please do not send a full proposal.) Attach a one-page organizational budget summary if you are applying for general operating support. If you are applying for project support, include both project and organizational budget summaries.

Full Proposals.
If you are invited to submit a full proposal, please prepare the following information.

A brief narrative (4 pages max) of the project for which funds are requested, brief history of the organization, description of lead staff and board members, method for evaluating effectiveness of the project. Attach a succinct budget (expenses and income, including other sources of project funds) for the project and/or organization. Include the organization's IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exemption letter.

(The foundation will also accept the Common Application Form developed by Philanthropy Northwest.)

When to Apply

Materials must be postmarked by the following deadlines (Regular delivery mail, please, not Certified). Please do not submit materials by fax or e-mail.


  Pre-Applications Full Proposals Decision
Spring Cycle January 15 February 15 Late March
Fall Cycle July 15 August 15 Late September


Foundation Contact

Submit a pre-application letter if your organization meets foundation areas of interest and policies. Questions? Contact Therese Ogle via phone or e-mail.

Contact:   Therese Ogle, Program Officer
Phone:     (206) 781-3472
E-mail:     OgleFounds@aol.com
Address:   701 5th Ave #6770, Seattle, WA 98104