Icicle Fund Community Grants

The Icicle Fund Community Grants support nonprofit organizations in North Central Washington that promote the arts, history, and environmental stewardship. These unrestricted grants allow organizations to address community needs flexibly and innovatively. With funding typically ranging from $3,000 to $35,000, the program prioritizes engaging local communities in appreciation and understanding of their unique cultural and natural heritage. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofits, local or tribal governments, and fiscally sponsored groups working in Chelan, Douglas, Grant, or Okanogan Counties; schools cannot apply directly.

Community Grants are one- or two-year unrestricted grants for non-profit organizations that enhance North Central Washington as a region where nature, the arts, and the area’s natural and human history encourage appreciation, understanding and stewardship of this special place. With these unrestricted grants, nonprofits have the flexibility to do their most important work in the community in innovative and impactful ways as they invest in programs, salaries/benefits, technology, capacity-building, communications, and other efforts that strengthen the organization and its long-term mission delivery.
The Arts
The Icicle Fund envisions a culture where a diversity of the Arts is accessible and valued as a critical component of vibrant communities in North Central Washington.
The Arts nurture the human spirit, transform lives, and connect people to placeThe Arts build strong economies and cohesive communities across social, economic, and racial boundariesThe Arts are fundamental to a well-rounded education and help all students to succeed in school and lifeCollaboration between community leaders, artists, schools, businesses, and nonprofits ensure sustainable, quality arts programsEveryone in NCW deserves access to, and engagement with, the Arts at levels similar to urban areas
Our grant decisions align with the beliefs and vision stated above. We fund art organizations that work towards inspiring an appreciation, understanding and stewardship of NCW.
Environment
Icicle Fund envisions a future where intact North Central Washington landscapes provide opportunities for all people to connect with land and water, fostering a long-term commitment to place.
A healthy environment supports plants, animals, and humans while driving a strong economyProtecting land and water sustains natural systems and species, and increases our communities’ resilience to climate changeEnvironmental education deepens the appreciation, understanding and desire to care for our natural worldAccess to land and water, along with recreational opportunities, can nurture the human spirit, transform lives, and connect people to placeEquity and inclusion throughout conservation work are critical for healthy human and natural ecosystemsCollaboration between schools and environmental nonprofits offer a uniquely equitable opportunity to inspire all students to make a lifelong connection with the natural world
Our grant decisions align with the beliefs stated above. We support organizations that foster an appreciation, understanding and stewardship of NCW through conservation, environmental education, and access to lands and water.
We prioritize funding organizations that work towards inspiring an appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of NCW through engagement with the cultural and natural history of the region.
Funding
This is a competitive grant program, awarding grants to an average of 45% of submitted proposals. Grant awards have historically been between $3,000- $35,000, with most between $10,000 $15,000. The minimum grant amount is $3,000.

Eligibility

Icicle Fund Community Grants support the work of qualifying nonprofit organizations that serve Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and/or Okanogan counties and have the arts, history, or environment as a core component of their mission. Eligible for funding are organizations under IRC section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) that meet the following criteria:501(c)3 Nonprofits with Public Charity Status (Not a Private Foundation) Public Schools that have the arts, history, or the environment as a core component of their mission. Individual schools within a district may apply separately. Only one application per school will be considered. Districts may apply for programs with district-wide impact. Applications must be submitted from the principal’s office for school applications and from the superintendent’s office for district-wide applications. Local, City, or Tribal Governmental Organizations that have the arts, history, or the environment as a core component of their mission. Please contact the Fund before proceeding with an application. Faith-based Organizations that have the arts, history, or the environment as a core component of their mission. Grants will not be made for religious purposes, but non religious programs offered to the broader community may be eligible. Charitable nonprofits that meet the mission and service area requirements but do not meet the qualifying non-profit status criteria, can be fiscally sponsored by an organization that does. Organizations must take a year off after four consecutive years of Icicle Fund grant funding.Your organization must be non-discriminatory in its policies and practices with regard to sex, race, color, marital status, national origin, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, and age. Your organization may apply for only one Icicle Fund grant per year. Fiscal sponsors may apply for a grant for their own organization in addition to sponsoring applications from other charitable organizations. Previous grant recipients are eligible to apply for both one and two year grants. The only exception to this is if an organization has received funding for four consecutive years, in which case they will be eligible to apply after a one-year hiatus.

Ineligibility

What We Do Not FundWe do not consider grants to or for the benefit of private individuals, political candidates, political parties, or lobbyists. We do not consider grants for litigation, debt retirement or purchases/activities that occur prior to grant decisions. We do not consider grants to private schools or colleges.We do not consider grants to other charitable foundations for regranting. We do not consider grants to federal or state governmental organizations.