GHCF: Community Building Grants Program

The Grays Harbor Community Foundation's Community Building Grants Program aims to enhance the quality of life throughout Grays Harbor County by supporting various nonprofit organizations. Emphasizing community needs, the program prioritizes initiatives in education, health, and arts, focusing on collaborative efforts that address local challenges. Nonprofits are encouraged to apply for funding to drive meaningful change and foster engagement, with two grant cycles each year, ensuring a responsive approach to community development.

Giving Priorities
Establish Quality Education and Learning Opportunities for all ages
Involve families and communities in student achievement and aspirations by supporting:
Programs that fully integrate on-site services of school districts and nonprofit organizationsTutoring and mentoring programsLearning efforts designed to reduce the preparation gapDropout prevention at critical transition points and reconnect dropouts to school and employment via alternative education programsEfforts to involve parents and families in schools/education
Foster a Strong and Connected Community by supporting:

• Efforts to promote and enhance positive self-worth within the community
• Teach skills for success in life, college, vocational training and career by supporting:

Programs that provide high quality career and technical education and trainingEfforts that teach students financial literacySupport systems for first-generation or returning, low-income college studentsPrograms that promote literacy
Promote Health and Wellness
Promote Healthy Lifestyles by supporting:
Programs focused on addressing health disparities or disproportionately affected populationsPrograms that seek to reduce and/or prevent teen pregnancy, Tobacco use, Drugs and Alcohol, child abuse and/or Domestic ViolenceTreatment programs for substance abuse and mental illnessServices for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuseOrganizations and projects that promote and encourage healthy lifestyles
Provide Broad Access to Arts, Culture and History
Broaden community engagement and access through support for:
Programs that encourage participation in the arts through schools and the broader communityPrograms to connect people to the historical culture of Grays HarborEfforts to preserve community landmarks
Help Meet the Basic Needs of Residents
Increase access to nutritious food and clean clothing by supporting:
Collaboration among food programs in order to better respond to hunger needsThe infrastructure needs of food banks who consistently offer nutritious food and access to clean clothingFree, culturally appropriate meal programs for children year-round
Help to Prevent Homelessness by supporting:
Efforts to transition people from homelessness by offering support services such as counseling, childcare and job trainingOrganizational efforts to prevent homelessnessNonprofits working to keep housing affordable
The Grays Harbor Community Foundation addresses community needs by supporting nonprofit organizations throughout Grays Harbor County. We support organizations in arts and culture, education, health and human services. Grant applications from all nonprofit organizations that meet our priorities and that are serving local residents are welcomed and encouraged.
The Grays Harbor Community Foundation offers a flexible granting cycle to address our community’s needs and immediate goals. We give high priority to investments that create positive, substantive change and attempt to resolve problems at their source.
Community Building Grant Details
Two Community Building Grant cycles occur twice annually, with an application deadline of April 1 and October 1. GHCF looks for proposals that show:
The strength of the applicant organization.Address a community need.Fit well within the GHCF’s giving priorities.Show the ability to leverage other funding.Have a positive impact on persons and/or the community.Demonstrate the capacity to provide the necessary services using good administrative and financial management.

Eligibility

Applicants may receive one Community Building Grant award per 12-month period.To be eligible for a grant you must be a charitable organization (i.e. 501c3, 501c9, school district, city, or other charitable entity). The Grants Committee is more likely to make awards for projects that fall within our Guiding Document “Giving Priorities” so it would be in the best interest of your organization to closely tie your projects to one or more of these areas of interest.All grant funded projects must be for public benefit, and not restricted by membership or payment.What can I use the Grant Funding for?Grant Funding can be used to cover gaps in other funding sources, kick-start a program, continue or expand a successful program, purchase equipment or upgrade infrastructure and much more.

Ineligibility

The Foundations Community Building Grants program is not a source of ongoing annual funding for your organization.Activities Typically Not EligibleOne-time activities; with the exception of school field tripsEndowment contributionsRe-granting programsDeficit FundingFeasibility studies and strategic planningReligious organizations applying for grants must submit a project that benefits the community as a whole