NW Children's Foundation General Grant Program

Mission: End the intergenerational cycle of child abuse, neglect, and trauma in Western Washington.

Focus Areas:

• Prevention, early intervention, and treatment programs
• Services for children and youth in foster care
• Programs serving families experiencing homelessness
• Domestic violence support services
• Abuse and neglect prevention and treatment
• Trauma healing and recovery
• Family strengthening and youth empowerment
• Programs addressing risk factors and promoting protective factors

Geographic Scope: Western Washington (children, youth ages birth to 24, and families)

Award Information:

• Grant range: $5,000 - $25,000
• Semi-annual grant cycles (Winter and Spring)
• Over $22M invested to date
• Recent distributions: $900K over one year to 72 partner agencies; $425K+ distributed in spring cycles

Eligibility:

• Must be a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization
• Must serve children, youth (birth-24), and families in Western Washington
• Primary direct-service funder focus
• One application per fiscal year (choose Winter OR Spring cycle)

What NWCF Does NOT Fund:

• Organizations that proselytize or require religious activities
• Organizations that exclude individuals based on religious beliefs
• Grants to individuals or political candidates
• Tutoring, after-school, leadership training, or youth engagement programs outside stated priorities
• Career training or substance abuse treatment for parents without children's component
• Stand-alone food, clothing, household items, or direct medical/dental services

Selection Criteria:
NWCF looks for agencies demonstrating:

• Focus on children/youth
• Dedicated personnel
• Financial integrity
• Innovative and effective problem-solving approaches
• Comprehensive program implementation and evaluation
• Coordination with other service providers
• Clear articulation of how program intensity, duration, and frequency will prevent and treat negative impacts of trauma

Evergreen Grants: $100,000 over three years for longtime partners demonstrating high impact and effectiveness. Current Evergreen recipients:

• Child Advocacy Center of Snohomish County at Dawson Place
• Friends of Youth
• Lydia Place
• Parent Trust for Washington Children
• TeamChild
• Vine Maple Place

Additional Support: Educational Outreach program offers support beyond funding to catalyze systemic improvements to child welfare systems in the region.

Tax ID: 91-1314318

Two-Step Application Process

Step One: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

• Submit one LOI per fiscal year
• Applicants must choose between Winter or Spring cycle
• LOI submitted through eGrant system
• Selected agencies informed if they advance to full application

Step Two: Full Grant Application

• Only invited agencies submit complete grant application
• Submitted through eGrant system
• Board members conduct thorough written review
• Site visit arranged before final decision

Application Materials Required

eGrant System Submission:

• Create account in eGrant system before applying
• Submit all materials through online portal
• Supporting documents available: eGrant System Guide, LOI Question List, Application Question List

Letter of Inquiry Content (based on LOI Question List):

• Organization information and 501(c)3 status
• Target population and risk factors
• Program description and how population will benefit
• How program intensity, duration, and frequency prevent/treat trauma impacts

Grant Application Content (based on Application Question List):

• Detailed program implementation and evaluation plan
• Target population and risk factors
• How program prevents and treats negative trauma impacts
• Additional funding sources
• Coordination with other service providers
• Program outcomes and effectiveness
• Budget and financial information

Key Application Tips

Strong proposals should:

• Clearly identify target population and their specific risk factors
• Explain tangible benefits services will provide
• Detail program implementation strategy
• Include robust evaluation methods
• Demonstrate financial sustainability
• Show coordination/partnership with other providers
• Address intensity, duration, and frequency of interventions
• Connect services to trauma prevention/treatment outcomes