Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a preferred time of year to submit a letter of inquiry?

Can I submit a full proposal instead of a letter of inquiry?

Do I need to specify a specific grant amount in my letter of inquiry?

Do you fund arts programs or job training programs?

Do you know of any other funding resources?

Is there a preferred time of year to submit a letter of inquiry?
We have no deadlines. We review all requests on a rolling basis and will send you a response to your letter of inquiry within 4-6 weeks. Occasionally, we reach our funding limits early in the fourth quarter of the calendar year. If we receive a funding request that we wish to pursue during that time, we may choose to hold that request until the start of the next year. We would notify you of this decision.

Can I submit a full proposal instead of a letter of inquiry?
We believe a letter of inquiry that supplies the requested information (See Step 2 on our “How to Apply” page) gives us all the information we need to make an initial decision on whether to proceed to Step 3. Please do not submit a full proposal unless requested.

Are emergency funds available?
Unfortunately, we do not offer emergency funding. We prefer to have time to research each organization before funding.

Do I need to specify a specific grant amount in my letter of inquiry?
Yes. Please specify this amount in your letter of inquiry along with information on the total budget for the program.

Do you fund arts programs or job training programs?
This is not our funding focus. Priority is given to those programs that match our listed guidelines.

Do you fund environmental programs?
No. There are a number of organizations that target environmental education. This is not our focus.

Do you know of any other funding resources?
The best resource for grantees in the Pacific Northwest is Philanthropy Northwest. This non-profit offers a wealth of information: tips on grant-writing, technical assistance, and a directory of potential funders.