Apply for a grant
NW Children’s Foundation works to end the intergenerational cycle of child abuse, neglect, and trauma.
We are committed to advancing trust-based philanthropy, recognizing the equally valuable contributions of funders, grant-seeking nonprofits, and the communities they serve in advancing equity and racial justice.
Our funding is focused on prevention, early intervention, and treatment to heal children, strengthen families, and empower youth. We invite child welfare organizations aligned with our mission to apply for funding.
Please read our Frequently Asked Questions before filling out a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). If you have questions, please contact office@nwcf.org.
Frequently asked questions
NW Children’s Foundation has a two-step application process:
Step One: Interested agencies submit a Letter of Inquiry. We only accept one LOI per applicant per year.
Step Two: A screening committee reviews the Letters of Inquiry and informs agencies whether they have been selected to participate in the full application and review process. Selected agencies then submit a full Grant Application.
NW Children’s Foundation Board members thoroughly review the written materials and arrange for a site visit before making final granting decisions.
We welcome applications for both general operating and program support. Our funding priorities focus on children, youth and families who are in the foster care system, and/or experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, abuse, neglect, and other trauma. Our priorities also include funding prevention services that reduce risk factors and promote protective factors to ensure well-being and stability for all children and families.
We are interested in hearing how the intensity, duration and frequency of your program/intervention will prevent and treat the negative impacts of trauma.
Due to funding limitations, we prioritize programs that are responsive to populations already experiencing trauma or who have demonstrated risks which lead to a higher likelihood of potentially experiencing traumatic experiences like homelessness, abuse, and neglect.
- A grant applicant must qualify as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization.
- We are primarily a direct-service funder. Your organization must serve children and youth (ages birth to 24) and families in Western Washington.
- NWCF does not fund:
- Organizations that proselytize, require religious activities in their programs, or exclude individuals based on religious beliefs.
- Individuals or political candidates.
- Tutoring, after-school, leadership training, or youth engagement programs that do not fall within any of the above priorities.
- Career training or substance abuse treatment for parents with no children’s component
- Stand-alone programs that primarily provide food, clothing, household items or direct medical/dental services.
If you have questions about your program’s eligibility, contact us at office@nwcf.org.
NWCF grants generally range from $5,000 to $20,000.
Winter Cycle (September-March)
- Letters of Inquiry are due September 6, 2024 11:59PM PST.
- Towards the end of September, our screening committee reviews the Letters of Inquiry and informs agencies whether they have been selected to participate in the full application and review process.
- Selected agencies then submit a full Grant Application (due November 1, 2024)
- For those invited to apply, a site visit is required and will take place between November – end of January.
- Grant decisions are made at the end of February and agencies will be informed in early-March.
Spring Cycle (January-July)
- Letters of Inquiry are due December 10, 2024 11:59PM PDT.
- By early January our screening committee reviews the Letters of Inquiry and informs agencies whether they have been selected to participate in the full application and review process.
- Selected agencies then submit a full Grant Application (due February 14, 2025).
- For those invited to apply, a site visit is required and will take place between February – mid-May.
- Grant decisions are made in early-June and agencies will be informed by mid-June.
Grant proposals should identify the target population and risk factors and address how that population will benefit from the services provided. Program implementation and evaluation, additional funding sources, and coordination with other service providers should also be discussed.
We are interested in hearing how the intensity, duration and frequency of your program/intervention will prevent and treat the negative impacts of trauma.
Applicants will log into this eGrant system to create an account with NWCF, and to submit and manage new requests.
Before creating a new account, we advise you review some of our supporting documents: