Community Foundation of South Puget Sound
/OVERVIEW: The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound supports arts and culture, environment, health and wellness, education, economic opportunity, basic needs and human services and community and civic engagement in Washington.
IP TAKE: This is a great resource for unrestricted general operating grants and a funder with an accessible annual cycle for applying for grants online.
PROFILE: Established in 1989, the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound (CFSPS) is a community foundation based in Olympia, Washington. The foundation originated with a community visioning session called Olympia 2010 that was created to build permanent funding sources. Today, CFSPS has over 95 separate funds and distributes over a million dollars in grants and scholarships annually. The foundation aims to "inspire philanthropic efforts that enrich our communities.” It funds local efforts for arts and culture, environment, health and wellness, education, economic opportunity, basic needs and human services and community and civic engagement.
The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound has a community grants program that it awards around 80 grants from per year. CFSPS has broad philanthropic interests and looks to build community capacity and support community and individual wellbeing. This funding comes from donors who have given to the community foundation for unrestricted gifts and area-of-interest funds. Typically, the foundation gives the most in Thurston County. Typical grantees include local theaters, performing arts groups, community service centers, economic councils, youth organizations, land trusts and food banks. There is a Premera Health Initiative that funds behavioral health and health equity at CFSPS. The Capital City Marathon Endowment Fund is a component fund of CFSPS to personal health, growth and fitness. Thurston Strong Partnership grants support the economic development of Thurston County and improving the resilience of local businesses and nonprofits here.
Important Grant Details:
Grants range between about $1,000 and $5,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on Thurston, Lewis and Mason counties in Washington. Past local grantees include the Olympia Symphony Orchestra, North Mason Friends of the Library and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. The annual deadline for applications is typically in early September. The application cycle opens up in the summer, and grantseekers must use the CFSPS online system to apply for a grant. Direct general questions to the staff at info@thecommunityfoundation.com or 360-705-3340.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINKS: