The Foundation prioritizes grants that build capacity in nonprofit organizations contributing to community building in the Pacific Northwest.
Community Building grants support projects that:
-Strengthen social connection within communities
-Expand access to shared or communal spaces
-Enhance overall community well-being
The Foundation prioritizes grants to organizations based in Oregon and Southwest Washington, or to projects that generate more than 50% of their measurable impact within this region.
A limited number of grants may be awarded to organizations outside this region by invitation only and at the discretion of the Foundation.
Organizations must:
-Be recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
-Provide a valid IRS determination letter confirming 501(c)(3) status
-Maintain independent governance and financial management
-Partnerships, fiscal sponsorships, or other arrangements do not substitute for independent 501(c)(3) status.
The Foundation does not fund the following entity types:
-Fiscally sponsored organization: as in a group or project conducting charitable work that operates under the legal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status of an established nonprofit sponsor
-Government institutions primarily funded through government sources, including but not limited to:
*Public libraries
*K–12 school districts
*Charter schools
*Parks and recreation departments
*Fire departments
*Police departments
-501(c)(4) advocacy organizations
-501(c)(6) trade associations or chambers of commerce
-509(a)(3) organizations supporting other charities
-Religious institutions that do not operate under independent 501(c)(3) governance
-Private non-operating foundations
-Non-U.S. entities
-Individuals
-For-profit businesses or LLCs
-Organizations with fewer than three full years of operating history
-Organizations whose programs are primarily dependent on policy changes or governmental processes outside of their operational control
The Foundation prioritizes organizations that demonstrate strong community demand and broad participation.
Capital projects should demonstrate a clear plan for long-term operational sustainability.
Projects that serve families, youth, and multi-generational populations are strongly encouraged.
Community Building grants support projects that strengthen social connection, expand access to shared spaces, and enhance community well-being. The Foundation prioritizes organizations that serve as community hubs and provide inclusive spaces for gathering, learning, recreation, and support.
The Foundation prioritizes organizations that function as community hubs, providing inclusive spaces for gathering, learning, recreation, and support.
The Foundation prioritizes projects that:
-Strengthen community connection and belonging by creating spaces where individuals and families can gather, participate in programs, and build relationships.
-Expand access to community facilities and programming, particularly in underserved or rapidly growing communities.
-Increase organizational capacity for community-serving nonprofits that provide recreation, wellness, youth development, or community programming.
-Promote inclusive community engagement, ensuring programs and facilities that are accessible to individuals across socioeconomic backgrounds.
Program areas and projects eligible for Community Building grants might include:
-Community centers and multi-purpose gathering spaces
-Youth development organizations and recreation facilities
-Nonprofit-operated fitness and wellness facilities
-Regional or local organizations providing community programming
-Capital projects that expand or renovate community-serving facilities
-Equipment and technology investments that enhance community programming
-Nonprofits with multi-site, regional or state-wide reach are eligible (e.g., nonprofit collaborations and collaboratives, intermediary organizations, multi-site organizations, affiliate associations).
-Enterprise (Micro and Small): Services to entrepreneurs and small businesses toward community wealth-building are eligible.
-Asset-Based Community Development: Projects that demonstrably increase community connections and reduce social isolation are eligible.
-Other: Individualized wraparound services to refugees/immigrants, children in foster care, and the formerly incarcerated are eligible.
Eligible projects should:
-Align with the priorities and long-term vision of the Foundation’s leadership
-Strengthen the long-term organizational capacity of the nonprofit
-Address a demonstrated community need in the Pacific Northwest and contribute to community vitality
-Ineligible Funding Requests (for all types):
-Standard or ongoing operational costs, including existing staff time (except previous grantees)
-Existing projects that have been financed from external sources
-Debt retirement or funding for operational deficits
-Funds that will ultimately be passed through to other organizations or individuals
-Stand-alone requests for short-lived projects, initiatives, or seasonal programs such as event sponsorships, consulting, honorariums, or contract staffing
-Stand-alone requests for planning or research such as study-based projects, surveys or focus groups, assessments, or stipends
Projects with funding plans with 50 percent or more of commercial gaming revenue (lottery, casino, etc.)
-Endowments or revolving funds that function as such
-Urgent needs, emergency funding, or gap funding
Additionally, the Foundation generally does not fund:
-Private membership organizations with limited public access
-Professional sports facilities or stadiums
-One-time events, festivals, or short-term programming
-Requests primarily focused on fundraising events or sponsorships
The Foundation generally does not fund:
-Government institutions such as public school districts or public libraries
-Capital projects in which 70% or more of total project funding is derived from government sources
-Ongoing staff positions supported by more than 50% government funding
The Foundation funds strategic project grants in the following category:
-Expansion grants support:
*Development of new programs
*Infrastructure projects
*Related startup costs necessary to launch or expand programs
Returning grantees may be eligible for ongoing operational grants equal to an amount up to 25% of their previously awarded grant.
Eligibility for ongoing support will depend on:
-Demonstrated success and measurable impact of the previously funded project
-Evidence that continued funding will help sustain or scale the initiative
-The organization’s current operational needs
Returning grantees may submit a new letter of inquiry:
-No sooner than one year and no later than three years after the original grant award
The Foundation welcomes inquiries related to collaborative funding projects. A collaborative funding project is an initiative in which two or more organizations work together—often through shared resources, aligned goals, and coordinated strategies—to address a common challenge or achieve greater collective impact. Organizations that are currently engaged in or considering such partnerships, including collective impact models or other structured collaborations, are encouraged to contact the Foundation at grants@servicefamily.org before submitting a Letter of Inquiry to discuss the proposed project.
The Foundation considers projects that support shared services across multiple organizations, such as shared HR, finance, IT infrastructure, or other administrative functions. Initiatives that strengthen the operational capacity of multiple organizations through shared infrastructure may be considered.
The lead applicant for a collaborative project must be an eligible entity.
Collaborative projects are prioritized based on their scope of impact and potential to strengthen multiple organizations.
Organizations interested in submitting a collaborative proposal should be prepared to discuss the following during the pre-letter of inquiry conversation:
-What collaboration is being proposed, including the participating organizations and the nature of the project
-The anticipated impact or outcomes of the collaboration
-The estimated cost or budget of the proposed project
Applicant organizations must demonstrate active and meaningful board engagement across three areas: Time, Treasure, and Talent.
Board members are expected to contribute their time through:
-Active participation in board meetings
-Volunteer engagement with the organization
-Participation in donor cultivation and relationship development
Board members should demonstrate financial commitment through:
-Personal financial contributions to the organization
-Efforts to secure external funding
-Providing access to networks, partnerships, or in-kind resources
Board members should contribute their expertise through:
-Leadership experience
-Professional knowledge and skills relevant to the organization’s mission
-Strategic guidance and governance
Organizations requesting funding for fundraising staff positions must demonstrate strong board participation in fundraising efforts and meaningful financial contributions from board members.
Minimum total project budget: $300,000
Minimum grant request: $50,000
If you were awarded a grant, you may submit a new letter of inquiry three years after the “Grant Awarded” date on your award letter.
If your letter of inquiry was not invited, you may submit again in the next open window.
If your application was declined, you may reapply after one year with a different project.
A declined letter of inquiry may not be resubmitted for the same project unless explicitly invited.
Organizations that receive funding may not submit a new letter of inquiry for the same project in consecutive years.