NW Children's Foundation Grants

NW Children's Foundation offers grants to organizations focused on preventing and addressing child abuse and trauma in Western Washington. With a two-step application process, agencies must submit a Letter of Inquiry followed by a full Grant Application if selected. The foundation prioritizes innovative programs that effectively serve children and families, particularly in King, Snohomish, Pierce, and Kitsap counties. Applications are evaluated based on criteria such as financial integrity and dedication to community service.

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 year (Winter or Spring) Please see Letter of Inquiry page for more details.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. Organizations invited to apply for a full grant application will be notified by email.
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.
Strategically maximizing every gift
Through our Grantmaking, we support prevention, early intervention, and treatment programs to heal children who have suffered trauma, strengthen families, and empower youth. Our grant portfolio includes a broad array of organizations – new and established, large and small, rural and urban.
To ensure our donors’ gifts can make the biggest difference, NW Children’s Foundation takes a strategic, hands-on approach in evaluating each grant candidate.
Twice a year, our Board assesses grant requests from a wide variety of child welfare agencies.

• Focus on children/youthDedicated personnelFinancial integrityInnovative and effective approaches to problem-solving

Once a first-level assessment has been completed, we conduct a comprehensive review, visiting each agency under consideration, seeing programs in action, and talking face-to-face with the individuals behind them.

Eligibility

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.Our grants predominantly support programs in King, Snohomish, Pierce and Kitsap counties.NW Children’s Foundation supports a variety of program needs and will consider grant requests for:General Operating Support or Specific Programs or Needs (new or ongoing).Grants are made for a one-year period. NW Children’s Foundation does not fund the same organization twice in the same fiscal year (August through July).

Ineligibility

Grants will not be considered for individuals or political candidates.We do not fund organizations that proselytize, require religious activities in their programs, or exclude individuals based on religious beliefs.Other programs we do not fund include:Career training for unskilled parentsSubstance abuse treatment for parents with no children’s componentStand-alone programs that primarily provide food, clothing, household items or direct medical/dental services in support of families experiencing risk factors like homelessness/poverty (e.g. furniture, diapers etc).CampershipsLeadership TrainingScholarshipsStand-Alone Prevention Programs (ex. dating violence, pregnancy, substance abuse)