Columbia Bank Foundation Community Grant Program

The Columbia Bank Foundation Community Grant Program aims to support local communities by funding innovative programs that benefit low-and-moderate income individuals. Grants between $7,501 and $15,000 are available for community-based nonprofits, civic organizations, and charities. Key focus areas include economic development, financial literacy, health services, food security, environmental sustainability, and the arts. The foundation encourages applications from eligible organizations year-round, fostering impactful initiatives that uplift communities.

Note: The page for the Columbia Bank Foundation Housing Grant Program can be found here. We accept applications at any time throughout the year on our quarterly deadline schedule.
Who We Serve
CBF resources are allocated with priority given to requests that benefit low-and-moderate income individuals and communities within Columbia Bank’s footprint. The primary goals and objectives of the Foundation are to identify community based non-profits, civic, business and charitable organizations that meet the necessary Foundation criteria, and to provide support funding for their service initiatives.
Our Community Grant Program is a testament to our commitment to uplift individuals and communities within our footprint. We identify community-based non-profits, civic organizations, businesses, and charities, to provide funding that fuels their impactful service initiatives. Applications for the Community Grant Program will be accepted for $7,501-$15,000.
Charitable contributions from the Foundation will be focused on supporting the following major areas:

• Community investment and economic development

Financial literacy and education
Education is critical to us and for that reason we support programs that enrich a child’s educational opportunities, early childhood development and special education programs, with preferences given to those programs targeting low-and- moderate income individuals. Educational programs designed to meet the housing needs of low and moderate income population, local housing coalitions, housing crisis programs, homeownership counseling and other financial services education.
Health and human services
It is important to be healthy and well. The foundation supports programs that revitalize or stabilize low-and-moderate income areas and/or community services and initiatives that provide access to quality healthcare programs.

Eligibility

Organizations seeking funding from CBF must be tax exempt with 501(c)(3) status as a public charity of the Internal Revenue Code.We fund capital improvements and other expenses arising from and directly tied to the programs, core activities, or mission of the organization.Organization must be in operation a minimum of three years.Organizations can submit one proposal during a rolling 12-month period.We do not typically fund multi-year requests, but will consider them as appropriate.

Ineligibility

Organizations without 501(c)(3) designation.Private foundations.Support to individuals, including those seeking scholarships or fellowship assistance.Political causes, campaigns, or candidates.Fraternal organizations.Organizations whose primary purpose is to influence legislation.Labor organizations.Athletes or sports teams.Travel-related events, including student field trips or tours.