Cashmere Fund Grant

The Cashmere Fund Grant is administered by the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, an organization whose mission is to grow, protect, and connect charitable gifts in support of strong communities. The foundation serves Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties and operates a variety of discretionary and legacy grantmaking programs. The Cashmere Fund is one such legacy fund, designed specifically to support the small rural community of Cashmere, Washington. With a population of just over three thousand residents, the fund reflects a localized philanthropic approach, where community members and donors contribute to a permanent endowment that sustains annual grantmaking over time. The purpose of the Cashmere Fund Grant is to provide financial support to charitable initiatives that preserve, protect, and enhance the quality of life for residents within the city limits of Cashmere. The fund prioritizes community-driven needs and supports nonprofit organizations and agencies that are actively addressing those needs. Funding is distributed from an endowed pool, meaning that a portion of the fund is allocated each year for grants while the principal continues to grow, ensuring long-term sustainability and increasing grantmaking capacity over time. Grant funds are generally awarded as unrestricted or general operating support, consistent with the broader grantmaking philosophy of the Community Foundation. This allows recipient organizations to apply funding where it is most needed within their operations, rather than limiting use to narrowly defined projects. This flexibility is intended to strengthen organizational infrastructure, reduce administrative burden, and allow nonprofits to adapt to evolving community needs. However, applicants are expected to demonstrate how their work aligns with community impact goals and contributes to meaningful outcomes within the Cashmere area. Eligibility for the Cashmere Fund Grant is limited to nonprofit organizations that meet federal tax-exempt status requirements under section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code or that apply through an eligible fiscal sponsor. Applicants must be headquartered within the service area of the fund or demonstrate that their programs primarily benefit residents within Cashmere city limits. Certain entities are not eligible, including individuals, organizations engaged in political or lobbying activities, and programs that serve primarily religious purposes. Public schools and government entities may have limited eligibility depending on the nature of the project and must adhere to additional restrictions outlined by the foundation. The application process for the Cashmere Fund Grant is conducted annually. The application period opens on July first and closes on August fifteenth each year. Applicants must submit their proposals through the designated application system, providing required organizational and programmatic information. While specific application components are not fully detailed in the provided materials, applicants should expect to include descriptions of their mission, community impact, and use of funds, as well as supporting documentation that demonstrates organizational capacity and alignment with grant priorities. Applications are reviewed by the Cashmere Local Advisory Board, a group composed of diverse community members including residents, nonprofit representatives, donors, and volunteers. This board provides leadership in evaluating proposals, recommending grant awards, and ensuring that funding decisions reflect community priorities. The evaluation process emphasizes fairness, objectivity, and inclusivity, using structured criteria rather than subjective judgment. Awards are typically determined following the close of the application period, and funding is distributed in alignment with the annual grant cycle. The Cashmere Fund Grant operates on a recurring annual cycle, with applications opening each summer and awards supporting programs within the same fiscal year. Donor contributions, including legacy gifts, play a critical role in sustaining and expanding the fund’s impact. As the endowment grows, the amount available for grant distribution increases, enabling greater support for charitable initiatives in perpetuity. Organizations interested in applying or learning more about the program may contact the Community Foundation directly via phone or email for additional guidance and support.

Focus on demonstrating direct impact on Cashmere residents and alignment with community needs; emphasize outcomes over presentation quality