Community Foundation For Southwest Washington

Quick Stats

• Founded: 1984
• Assets: $379.7 million (2023)
• Annual Giving: $21.9 million (2023)
• Decision Time: 8-10 weeks from cycle close
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $100,000+ (varies by program)
• Focus Grant Range: $25,000 - $50,000
• Geographic Focus: Clark, Cowlitz, and Skamania Counties, Southwest Washington
• 2023 Impact: 63 organizations supported through strategic grants

Contact Details

Main Office: 610 Esther Street, Suite 201 Vancouver, WA 98660

Phone: (360) 694-2550

Hours:

• Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Friday: 9:00 a.m. to Noon

Grant Inquiries: grants@cfsww.org

Program Officer Contact: Esra Khalil, Senior Program Officer (360) 952-4308 ekhalil@cfsww.org

Website: www.cfsww.org

EIN: 91-1246778

Overview

The Community Foundation For Southwest Washington was founded in 1984 by Mary Granger and community champions during an economic downturn to provide a way for residents to pool charitable giving for local impact. Since establishment, the foundation has granted over $280 million. With assets of $379.7 million, the foundation distributed $21.9 million in grants in 2023, supporting 63 organizations through strategic grants and awarding 394 scholarships totaling $1.1 million. Under President Matt Morton's leadership since 2022, the foundation focuses on disrupting intergenerational poverty through strategic investments in basic needs, educational attainment, and asset building for populations facing systemic economic, racial, and social inequities. The foundation serves as a charitable planning and grantmaking hub for Clark, Cowlitz, and Skamania Counties. In 2024, the foundation launched the innovative SWIIFT Initiative (Southwest Washington Impact Investment Fund for Transformation), providing low-interest loans to nonprofits for capacity building and affordable housing development. The organization has earned a 4/4 Star rating from Charity Navigator.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Focus Grants

• Amount: $25,000 - $100,000+ (typically $25,000 - $50,000)
• Description: Responsive funding for organizations working to disrupt the cycle of intergenerational poverty. All Focus Grant awards provide general operating support since 2021.
• Cycles: Two annual cycles with fixed deadlines
• Application Method: Online application through website following review of Grantseekers Guidebook
• 2023 Impact: $876,346 awarded to 24 nonprofits

2. Social Justice & Resiliency Grants

• Amount: $5,000 - $99,000+ (smaller responsive grants $5,000-$25,000; capacity building grants $25,000+)
• Description: Proactive funding for organizations that build community resiliency and address economic, social, and racial disparities
• Application Method: Rolling basis with simplified application process
• Characteristics: Flexible awards, rapid response, varying sizes

3. SWIIFT Initiative (Southwest Washington Impact Investment Fund for Transformation)

• Amount: $100,000 - $500,000 (loans, not grants)
• Description: Low-interest loans or loan guarantees to help scale promising programs or accelerate affordable housing development
• Timeline: Suited for projects expected to generate positive cash flow in 1-5 years
• Launched: June 2024

Priority Areas

Three Impact Areas:

1. Basic Human Needs: Organizations fulfilling the basic needs of underserved people, families, and communities
2. Educational Attainment: Programs supporting educational access and achievement
3. Asset Building: Efforts improving economic health including asset- and wealth-building strategies, employment services, financial planning, small business development, homeownership, community livability, and economic development

Priority Populations:

• Black, Indigenous, and Communities of Color
• Foster youth and youth aging out of the foster system
• Immigrants and refugees
• People living with disabilities
• LGBTQ2S+ individuals
• Unhoused populations
• Survivors of domestic violence

Key Evaluation Criteria:

• Mission alignment with racial equity
• Established community relationships
• Program implementation strategies
• Equity framework and diversity commitment
• Leadership representation from served communities
• Collaboration approaches
• Sustainability and potential for meaningful community impact
• Culturally responsive approaches
• Strength-based practices
• Avoidance of program duplication

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations without programs or projects serving people in Clark, Cowlitz, or Skamania Counties
• The foundation maintains a non-discriminatory policy and does not make award decisions based on race, color, national origin, citizenship status, creed, religion, religious affiliation, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status
• Note: Organizations cannot directly apply for funding from individual Donor Advised Funds, though the foundation team shares opportunities with donors when aligned with their interests

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Matt Morton, President (Since 2022)

• Fifth President of the Community Foundation
• Former Equitable Education Portfolio Director at Meyer Memorial Trust, managing the state's largest private grantmaking strategy for K-12 public education
• More than two decades of leadership in nonprofit and philanthropic sectors

Key Quotes from Matt Morton:

• "Everything that I know about thriving, self-determined communities starts with creating opportunities where communities can determine those solutions themselves."
• "It's really important to us that the community and the organizations that serve them are able to define their own measures of success."
• "Our philosophy is, how do we take this global issue and hyper-localize it?"

Senior Staff

• Bridget McKay - Chief Development Officer, (360) 952-4313
• Rachon Hanson - Chief Financial Officer
• Anne Digenis - Senior Philanthropic Advisor
• Esra Khalil - Senior Program Officer, (360) 952-4308, ekhalil@cfsww.org
• Deanna Green - Senior Scholarship Officer and Development Associate
• Maury Harris - Senior Communications Officer
• Barbara Paulsen - Office Coordinator and Special Assistant
• Chrissy Waugh - Development Coordinator
• Ursula Arlauskas - Program Officer
• Martin Parrao - Accountant
• Ashley Jhaveri - Digital Communications Specialist

Board of Directors

• John Deeder (Chair) - Retired Superintendent, Evergreen Public Schools
• Andy Silver (Vice Chair) - Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver Housing Authority
• Brian Riffel (Treasurer) - Executive Director, Randall Charitable Trust
• Cristhian A. Canseco Juarez (Secretary) - Supervisor at PeaceHealth
• Lai-Lani Ovalles (Member-at-Large)
• Kim Capeloto - President, Lighthouse Financial Foundation
• Karissa Lowe - Community Grants Program Manager, Metro
• George Middleton - Retired Principal, Middleton & Company
• Vanessa Neal - Vice President of People and Culture, Clark College

The volunteer board comprises local leaders with diverse interests, skills, and backgrounds who ensure the foundation maintains the highest standards and fulfills its mission.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Before Applying:

1. Review the comprehensive Grantseekers Guidebook available on the foundation website
2. Review the Grant Framework to understand the three intersecting impact areas
3. Preview the application on the website
4. Contact Program Officers at grants@cfsww.org for questions about alignment or to vet a proposal concept before submitting

Focus Grants Application Process:

1. Submit online application through cfsww.org during open cycle period
2. Two annual cycles with fixed deadlines (specific dates vary by year)
3. If a cycle closes on a weekend, the deadline moves to the previous Friday at midnight
4. Program Officers provide support and feedback through all stages of the grantmaking process
5. Organizations can schedule appointments with Program Officers for feedback

Social Justice & Resiliency Grants Application Process:

1. Simple, brief application process through the website
2. Rolling basis - no fixed deadlines
3. Smaller responsive grants ($5K-$25K) processed through standard application
4. Organizations seeking capacity building grants larger than $25K should contact a Program Officer

Eligibility:

• Nonprofits, fiscally sponsored projects, government and tribal agencies, churches, school districts, and other public entities operating projects or programs in Clark, Cowlitz, or Skamania Counties
• Organizations headquartered outside the service area must provide a southwest Washington specific project budget

Decision Timeline

Focus Grants:

• The foundation strives to respond to applicants within 8-10 weeks of the close of the grant cycle
• Process includes:
  1. Initial vetting phase by Program Team to ensure applications are complete and aligned with criteria
  2. Follow-up questions from Program Team as needed
  3. Community Grants Committee robust grant review and discussion process
  4. Award decisions
  5. Direct payment to approved organizations

Social Justice & Resiliency Grants:

• Rolling review with faster turnaround due to simplified process
• Timeline varies based on grant size and complexity

Success Rates

Specific application success rates are not publicly disclosed. In 2023:

• Focus Grants: 24 organizations funded out of total applicants (specific number not disclosed)
• Total Strategic Grants: 63 organizations supported
• The foundation awarded 940 grants in 2021 (across all programs including donor-advised funds)

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not appear to have published restrictions on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations are encouraged to contact Program Officers for feedback and guidance on strengthening future applications.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Priority Populations: The foundation prioritizes organizations serving Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x, Native Hawaiian, Pasifika, Communities of Color, and foster youth. Organizations led by members of the communities they serve are particularly valued.

General Operating Support Model: Since 2021, all Focus Grant awards provide general operating support rather than project-specific funding, reflecting the foundation's trust-based approach to grantmaking. Applications should demonstrate organizational capacity and sustainability rather than just project plans.

Demonstrated Commitment to Equity: Applications must clearly show both internal practices (institutional policies and practices) and external approaches (partnerships and program delivery) that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. The foundation evaluates leadership representation and equity frameworks.

Community Relationships and Cultural Responsiveness: The foundation values organizations with established, trusted relationships in the communities they serve. Applications should demonstrate culturally responsive approaches and strength-based practices rather than deficit-based models.

Disrupting Intergenerational Poverty: Strong applications explicitly connect their work to breaking cycles of poverty through one or more of the three impact areas: basic needs, educational attainment, or asset building. The foundation looks for systemic approaches rather than temporary solutions.

Collaboration Over Duplication: The foundation evaluates whether organizations collaborate effectively and avoid duplicating existing services. Applications should show awareness of the broader service landscape and complementary partnerships.

Program Officer Engagement: The foundation explicitly encourages pre-application contact with Program Officers. Organizations that schedule appointments for feedback before submitting applications can strengthen their proposals and ensure alignment with priorities.

Recent Successful Grantees (2025) Include:

• Battle Ground Healthcare: $50,000 for bilingual front office manager
• Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Legal Aid: $100,000 over 2 years for culturally-responsive legal services
• Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber: $100,000 over 2 years for Small Business Development Program
• Ashby Family LEAD & Engagement Services: $76,000 for disability support
• Latinos Unidos Y Floreciendo: $99,000 for community empowerment

These examples demonstrate the foundation's preference for operating support, multi-year commitments to high-impact organizations, and investments in culturally-specific services.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Contact Program Officers early: The foundation explicitly encourages pre-application conversations to vet concepts and get feedback. This is not just permitted but recommended - use it strategically.

• Focus on general operations, not projects: Since 2021, Focus Grants provide general operating support. Frame your application around organizational capacity, sustainability, and systemic impact rather than specific project outputs.

• Lead with equity and community leadership: The foundation prioritizes organizations led by members of the communities they serve. Highlight leadership demographics, culturally-specific approaches, and authentic community relationships.

• Connect explicitly to disrupting poverty cycles: Don't assume the connection is obvious. Clearly articulate how your work addresses root causes of intergenerational poverty through basic needs, educational attainment, or asset building.

• 8-10 week decision timeline requires planning: Budget your application timeline accordingly, especially if you need funding by a specific date. Two annual Focus Grant cycles mean missing a deadline could delay funding by six months.

• Rolling Social Justice & Resiliency Grants offer flexibility: For smaller, responsive needs ($5K-$25K), the rolling application process provides faster access to funding without waiting for cycle deadlines.

• Multi-year funding is available: Recent grants show the foundation makes 2-3 year commitments to aligned organizations, reducing annual reapplication burden. If your work aligns deeply with priorities, consider requesting multi-year support.

References

• Community Foundation For Southwest Washington Official Website. www.cfsww.org. Accessed February 2026.
• "Grant Framework." Community Foundation For Southwest Washington. https://www.cfsww.org/grant-framework. Accessed February 2026.
• "Grant Programs." Community Foundation For Southwest Washington. https://www.cfsww.org/grant-programs. Accessed February 2026.
• "Our People." Community Foundation For Southwest Washington. https://www.cfsww.org/who-we-are/our-people. Accessed February 2026.
• "Focus Grants." Community Foundation For Southwest Washington. https://www.cfsww.org/grant-programs/focus-grants. Accessed February 2026.
• "Social Justice & Resiliency Grants." Community Foundation For Southwest Washington. https://www.cfsww.org/grant-programs/social-justice-resiliency-grants. Accessed February 2026.
• "Our Grantees." Community Foundation For Southwest Washington. https://www.cfsww.org/grantees. Accessed February 2026.
• "Community Foundation for Southwest Washington." Charity Navigator. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/911246778. Accessed February 2026.
• "Community Foundation for Southwest Washington." Candid Foundation Directory. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=CLAR048. Accessed February 2026.
• "Community Foundation grants over $300,000, opens next application cycle." ClarkCountyToday.com. Accessed February 2026.
• "New president of Community Foundation for Southwest Washington sees points of connection." The Columbian, April 6, 2022. https://www.columbian.com/news/2022/apr/06/new-president-of-community-foundation-for-southwest-washington-sees-points-of-connection/. Accessed February 2026.
• "Community Foundation secures $3 million in funding for program that offers loans to local nonprofits." The Columbian, March 27, 2025. https://www.columbian.com/news/2025/mar/27/community-foundation-for-southwest-washington-secures-3-million-in-funding-for-loan-program/. Accessed February 2026.
• "Community Foundation For Southwest Washington - Nonprofit Explorer." ProPublica. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/911246778. Accessed February 2026.
• "SWIIFT Initiative." Community Foundation For Southwest Washington. https://www.cfsww.org/swiift. Accessed February 2026.
• "Our History." Community Foundation For Southwest Washington. https://www.cfsww.org/who-we-are/our-history. Accessed February 2026.