Grantmaking is one way that we are making a difference.
The competitive grant review process seeks to identify projects and programs with the greatest potential to create an environment where everyone who lives here thrives.
Review our grant offerings listed below to determine the best fit for your project. We strongly recommend reviewing our grant guidelines HERE before starting your application. Community groups may find a nonprofit charitable organization, public institution or tribe to serve as a fiscal sponsor in seeking grant funding. Please call us for more information about how that might work.
The Youth Philanthropy Project helps high school students develop personal and professional skills needed by the next generation of community leaders. With staff support, students form a leadership committee to learn about local issues affecting Whatcom County, review grant proposals and make funding decisions.
The Youth Philanthropy Committee will review grants and make awards up to $5,000 for nonprofit organizations, schools, Native American Tribes and government agencies.
This year the Youth Philanthropy Project funding will focus on building environments where youth can thrive using the proven Icelandic Prevention Model (IPM) as a guide.
This model empowers communities to come together, center voice and the needs of young people, and implement strategies increasing protective factors (like strong family bonds, participation in out-of-school activities, positive peer networks, and supportive school environments) and reduce risk factors (lack of meaningful activities, low parental engagement, easy access to drugs/alcohol, family conflict or high stress at home, bullying, etc.). The goal is to strengthen supports and conditions that help promote healthy youth development. Rather than focusing solely on individual behavior, the model promotes upstream, community-wide solutions.
Projects must be youth-driven—reflecting young people’s ideas, voices, and creativity—with adult advisors providing guidance as needed. Funded projects should engage youth in planning or implementation and focus on strengthening protective factors through activities that promote connection, leadership, wellness, or meaningful community involvement.
Click Here to login and apply
Click HERE for tips on the online system
Click HERE to view a PDF of the application
Grant application will open by 10/10/2025
Grant application will close on 1/19/2026 at 4PM
Awards announced in April 2026
This year we are happy to partner with the City of Bellingham to expand the funding pool for Project Neighborly!
The Project Neighborly (PN) grant is for people who have great ideas about how we can all become better neighbors by bringing people together that might not otherwise meet. The Community Foundation will award grants (up to $5,000 each) to support inspiring, actionable, relevant projects and activities that develop a sense of community and promote neighborliness throughout the rural and urban areas of Whatcom County.
Special PN FAQ’s & Guidelines click HERE
Click Here to login and apply
Click HERE for tips on the online system
Click HERE to view a PDF of the application questions
Grant application will open by 10/10/2025
Grant application will close on 2/23/2026 at 4PM
Awards announced in April 2026
We are offering mini grants to local Whatcom County Federal nonprofits to address some of the issues of staff fatigue, turnover and burnout that are currently pervasive throughout the nonprofit sector. We invite you to apply for grants to support you and your team’s physical and mental health, creating a positive work environment, enhancing job satisfaction, and reducing burnout.
We will offer $1,000 – $10,000 grants (depending on organizational staffing size and what you’d like to do). Grant funding amounts could increase depending on the number of applicants and/or increase in funding pool.
Grant application will open by 2/2/2026
Grant application will close on 5/11/2026 at 4PM
Awards announced in June 2026
Grant Seeking Resources
Our team knows how hard it can be to match great ideas with funding opportunities. Sometimes it can feel like if you are never in the right place and the right time.
We are working on a couple ideas to help, but in the meantime, we recommend the following resources as next steps:
Fundraising/Marketing Resources
Bellingham Library’s Nonprofit Resource Center and subscription to The Foundation Center – http://www.bellinghampubliclibrary.org/yourlibrary
Association of Fundraising Professionals
Claxon Marketing – Resources/Do-it-Yourself
Susan Howlett (fundraising and board development) – consultant, author (Boards on Fire, Getting Funded, etc.)
General Nonprofit Resources
501 Commons (statewide nonprofit support organization)
Washington Nonprofits (statewide nonprofit advocacy organization)
Tech Soup (discounted software for nonprofits)
