NW Children’s Foundation’s Grant Program in Washington

The NW Children’s Foundation (NWCF) is a private philanthropic organization based in Western Washington that focuses on disrupting the intergenerational cycle of child abuse, neglect, and trauma. With a firm commitment to equity and racial justice, NWCF adopts a trust-based philanthropy model that acknowledges the equal importance of funders, nonprofit grantees, and the communities they serve. Through this approach, NWCF supports direct-service child welfare organizations working at the intersection of prevention, early intervention, and treatment for children, youth, and families. NWCF invites applications from 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services to children and youth from birth through age 24 and their families in Western Washington. The foundation offers funding for both general operating support and specific programmatic initiatives that serve populations facing trauma or at risk of experiencing trauma due to factors such as foster care involvement, homelessness, domestic violence, abuse, and neglect. Programs should demonstrate the intensity, frequency, and duration of services that work to mitigate or treat the impacts of trauma and contribute to long-term stability and well-being for children and families. The foundation has two grant cycles each year: Winter and Spring. The Winter Cycle opens for Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) on June 30, 2025, and closes on September 5, 2025. LOIs are reviewed by the screening committee in late September, and selected organizations are invited to submit a full application by October 31, 2025. Site visits take place between November and the end of January. Grant decisions are made in February, with applicants notified in early March. The Spring Cycle begins with LOIs opening on September 26, 2025, and closing on December 9, 2025. Applications for this round are due February 20, 2026, with site visits occurring between February and mid-May. Decisions are communicated in early June. The application process is two-phased. Initially, applicants submit a Letter of Inquiry through NWCF’s e-grants system, and only one LOI per organization is accepted per year. Selected organizations are then invited to submit a full application, which is carefully evaluated by NWCF board members. The review process includes written material assessments and mandatory site visits. Applicants are encouraged to read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) before beginning the process and to contact NWCF via email at office@nwcf.org if they have additional questions about eligibility or the application system. NWCF grants typically range from $5,000 to $20,000. However, the total program funding and number of awards available are not disclosed. Due to limited funding, the foundation gives preference to programs directly addressing trauma or serving high-risk populations. NWCF does not fund organizations that proselytize, exclude based on religion, or require religious participation, nor does it support programs focused solely on career training for parents, standalone material support programs (e.g., food or clothing distribution), or tutoring and youth engagement efforts unrelated to trauma. To apply, organizations must qualify as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, deliver direct services, and serve children, youth, and families in Western Washington. The foundation encourages applications that clearly outline the proposed intervention’s alignment with NWCF’s mission, as well as its structure, expected outcomes, and community impact. Detailed information about the process and system access is available on their website, and additional support can be requested via email.