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Community Grant Application Guidelines

Who is eligible to apply?

To be eligible, you must meet ALL of the following three criteria:

  • A tax-exempt nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3) under the Internal Revenue Code. New or informal groups may fulfill this requirement through sponsorship by a 501(c)(3) organization. A formal written agreement with this organization is required in lieu of the 501(c)(3) document. Please note that individuals are not eligible.
  • Located in Stanwood or Camano Island, or directly benefiting their residents
  • Have not received funding from the Foundation for 12 months or more

What funds are available?

The Foundation’s grants range from $100 to $2,000. The typical grant is between $500 and $1,000. Approximately three grants are made in each funding cycle. A project period is one year or less.

What criteria are used to evaluate proposals?

Proposals are evaluated for the following three criteria:

  • Need for the project is clearly demonstrated.
  • The project’s goals, objectives, activities, and use of resources are feasible and measurable, and its impact can be determined.
  • The applicant organization has the capabilities required to carry out the project successfully.

When are proposals due?

Proposals must be delivered or postmarked by July 15. (Please note the office is only open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you are hand-delivering your application please make sure it is delivered within those hours.)

Mail or hand-deliver the application packet on or before the deadline to:

Mail To: COMMUNITY GRANTS, P.O. Box 1209 Stanwood, WA 98292

HAND DELIVER TO: #10, 8820 Viking Way, Stanwood, WA (next to the Uff Da Shoppe). Please DO NOT mail applications to the Street Address.

What does the Foundation fund?

The Community Grants program looks for a wide range of creative projects designed to benefit substantial numbers of Stanwood-Camano residents. Funded projects should provide a direct service to the community by taking an innovative approach to community needs and concerns. Your project should be in one or more of our fields of interest:

  • Social and community services
  • Arts and culture
  • Health
  • Education
  • Youth or senior services
  • Historical preservation
  • Environment

We are particularly interested in projects that are innovative, practical, and collaborative, those that have not been funded before, those that strengthen the organization’s capabilities, and those that feature clear measurement of the project’s impact. The following are not usually priorities for support:

  • Major capital campaigns for buildings, land acquisition, or endowments
  • General operating support, including costs for established ongoing programs. Exceptions may be made if bridge funding is needed and there is a sound plan for future funding from other sources.
  • Replacing public funding or for purposes typically funded by the public sector.
  • Program development feasibility studies.
  • Funding to governmental agencies.

Grants are never awarded for these purposes:

  • For political or religious purposes
  • For debt reduction or service
  • For activities that have already taken place or for expenses incurred prior to the grant award date.

What is the application process?

Proposals are reviewed by members of the Community Grants Committee. The Committee then makes its recommendations to the Board of Trustees for discussion and approval. You can expect to receive a decision within six weeks of the due date.

What is required after Grants are awarded?

If your proposal is approved, the Foundation requires a final report within six months of the project’s completion date. Failure to submit the final report will result in the organization’s ineligibility for Foundation grants in the future. The final report consists of:

  • A financial report on the expenditure of grant funds
  • A narrative report on activities and impacts.

QUESTIONS: If you have questions on any aspect of the Stanwood-Camano Area Foundation Community Grant program, please contact Theresa Metzger, Executive Director, at (360) 629-6878, or click here to send an email.