The Community Foundation of North Central Washington (CFNCW) is pleased to announce the 2026 Okanogan Valley Fund.
Donor Name: Community Foundation of North Central Washington
State: Washington
County: Okanogan County (WA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/15/2026
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
This grant aims to foster support for charitable endeavors that benefit local residents and initiatives within the Okanogan Valley. A Local Advisory Board (LAB) of community members ensures that annual grants align with the needs of the region.
In most cases, local nonprofits are eligible for unrestricted/general operating support, rather than specific programs or projects. Grantees can use these unrestricted funds to strengthen the organization and further its charitable purposes as they see fit. CFNCW believes that this type of grantmaking is valuable because it:
- Enables nonprofits to build strong & sustainable infrastructures to provide programs and services that will have the greatest impact on the communities;
- Eases fundraising pressure on nonprofit leaders and allows organizations to focus on fulfilling their missions and running effective programs;
- Gives flexibility for adapting and innovating to meet changing needs
- Serves as a vote of confidence for nonprofit leaders and lessens the power imbalance between funder and grantee; and
- Shifts the conversation towards the outcomes of the grant and overall impact of the organization rather than focusing on a small slice of the mission.
Funding Information
Eligible organizations can apply for a minimum grant award of $2,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- Geographic Area: In most of the grantmaking, CFNCW considers grant applications only from nonprofit organizations in Chelan, Douglas and Okanogan counties. Please carefully read the service area and eligibility for each grant program before applying. For Legacy Fund Grants, applicants must be headquartered within the fund’s service area. If more than 30% of an applicant’s service population/program (excluding audiences for ticketed events) is outside of its Legacy Fund’s service area, and it can prove a corresponding impact on its budget, it may be considered for additional funding from a regional pool.
- IRS Charitable Status: A nonprofit organization must have a current tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. If permitted by the specific grant program, organizations that do not have tax exempt status may apply with a qualified Fiscal Sponsor.
- City or County Governments: Operational costs or essential services provided by government such as infrastructure, administration, or services such as fire and police, are not eligible for funding. However, non-essential, quality of life, community enhancement programs not typically funded through tax dollars may be eligible. City or government entities are limited to one application to be considered per grant cycle. Please contact the Foundation before proceeding with an application.
- Public Schools: Individual public schools and charter public schools are currently ineligible for Legacy Fund Grants. They encourage public schools to partner with local nonprofit organizations. Other grant programs, such as NCW Foundation for Youth and the Woods Music and Arts, do accept applications from public schools.
- Early learning centers, preschools, and education providers: Such organizations are eligible to apply only if they have a current tax-exempt status under Section 501c3 of the IRS Code and are located in Chelan, Douglas, or Okanogan Counties.
- Faith-Based Organizations: Grants will not be made for religious purposes nor general operating expenses for faith-based organizations but may be made for non-religious programs offered to the broader community. Characteristics of eligible programs include: a program that is located in a house of worship but not associated with the house of worship; program is available to people of all faiths and/or non-believers; program abstains from proselytizing, religious worship, instruction or recruitment as part of the grant funded program. Please contact the Foundation staff if you have questions, clarifications or would like to have examples. Please also note that some grant programs managed by CFNCW do not allow any requests from faith-based organizations.
- Multiple Submissions: Organizations are limited to one grant proposal for consideration during a single grant cycle.
For more information, visit CFNCW.
