Blue Mountain Community Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $6,937,628 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly reported
• Decision Time: Approximately 3 months (applications close August, awards announced November)
• Grant Range: $500 - $475,000 (Discretionary Program: up to $20,000; larger grants possible up to $100,000)
• Geographic Focus: Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield counties (Washington) and Umatilla County (Oregon)

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Contact Details

• Website: bluemountainfoundation.org
• Phone: 509-529-4371
• Email: bmcf@bluemountainfoundation.org
• Address: 22 East Poplar Street, Suite 206, PO Box 603, Walla Walla, WA 99362
• Grants/Application Contact: Meg Patnod (Grants Manager) — meg@bluemountainfoundation.org
• Online Application Portal: grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=bmcf

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Overview

The Blue Mountain Community Foundation (BMCF) was founded in November 1984 as a public 501(c)(3) community foundation serving a rural four-county region of southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon. It holds total assets of approximately $112.6 million (net assets: $93.6 million) and distributed $6.9 million in grants and scholarships in 2024, including scholarship support for 326 students.

BMCF's mission is "to be the catalyst that transforms the Blue Mountain region by growing generosity and connecting people, charitable causes, and community needs." It stewards approximately 260 charitable funds and has distributed over $38 million in total grants since inception. In 2024, it successfully completed its Raise the Blues Endowment Campaign, raising and pledging more than $52 million — exceeding the original $40 million goal — which substantially increases its long-term annual grantmaking capacity through a network of newly established Forever Funds tied to specific geographic areas within its service region.

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Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Discretionary Grants Program: Up to $20,000 per grant (general operating support). Annual budget approximately $250,000. Applications accepted August 1–29; awards announced in November. Serves Columbia, Garfield, Walla Walla, and Umatilla counties. Larger grants of $20,000–$100,000 are possible for programs, projects, and capital purposes.
• Joseph L. Stubblefield Foundation Community Grants Program: Reviewed alongside BMCF's annual Community Grants Program (August applications, November awards). Funding aligned with Stubblefield's historical mission of supporting vulnerable populations — children, indigent women, elderly — broadened to support a wide range of community initiatives. Administered through BMCF's online portal.
• Stubblefield Foundation Year-Round Grant Program: Rolling basis for urgent or unforeseen organisational needs. Submitted through BMCF's online grant portal at any time.
• Warren Community Action Fund: Focused on Dayton, Columbia County, and northern Walla Walla County (including Waitsburg). Areas include health, education, basic human needs, children and youth, agricultural education and training, historic preservation, scientific programs, arts and recreation, and the environment. Applications accepted approximately February 20 – March 29; decisions announced in early May.
• Garfield County Health Foundation Fund: Annual cycle supporting health and wellness programs for Garfield County residents.
• Shindig Grants: Annual grants for FFA and 4-H programs in Walla Walla County, Milton-Freewater, Athena, and Weston to increase youth accessibility. Applications accepted approximately March 8 – April 12; decisions announced in early May.
• Dayton/Columbia County Washington Fund: Established in 2004 by Columbia County citizens to support the long-term social and economic well-being of Columbia County.
• Blue Mountains Forever Fund (emerging from Raise the Blues Campaign): Will make annual grants across the four-county region, with sub-funds for specific geographic areas including Garfield County, Columbia County, Walla Walla County, and Greater Hermiston.

Priority Areas

BMCF funds a broad range of community needs, with particular emphasis on:

• Basic needs and social & human services (historically ~21% of giving)
• Education, including scholarships (~16% of giving)
• Environment (~10% of giving)
• Health and wellness
• Arts and culture
• Vibrant local economies
• Neighborhoods and communities
• Youth programs, including agricultural education (FFA/4-H)
• Historic preservation

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside the four-county service area (Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield counties in WA; Umatilla County in OR)
• For-profit entities (unless applying through an eligible fiscal sponsor)
• Private non-operating foundations without 501(c)(3) status
• Activities related to alcohol, tobacco, adult entertainment, or gambling (reflected in BMCF's own Socially Responsive Investment Fund principles)
• Organisations lacking 501(c)(3) status, church designation, or public agency status must use an approved fiscal sponsor to be eligible

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Governance and Leadership

President & CEO — Kol Medina Kol Medina brings nearly 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience to BMCF. He previously served as President & CEO of the Kitsap Community Foundation and as an elected Bainbridge Island City Council Member and Mayor of Bainbridge Island. On the need for flexible grant funding, Medina has stated: "Last year, only about $200,000 of that $7 million was just completely discretionary flexible grant-making dollars where the Community Foundation was able to deploy those dollars to help whatever the community most needed. That's not enough." On community demand for support, he has said: "There's a huge need in our community for support for things that are important to people, and that need is represented through us, through applications for nonprofits." On the Raise the Blues campaign: "The Campaign gave people an opportunity to provide permanent support for their communities."

Communication and Grants Director — Kate Morrison, MBA Kate Morrison brings more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership experience. She holds an MBA, a BA in Anthropology, and a certificate from Yale School of Management's Women in Leadership executive education program.

Director of Finance — Kristin Boyer Kristin Boyer has deep expertise in nonprofit accounting, having previously served as Controller for the Seattle chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Katina Henderson — Scholarships Manager Manages more than 80 scholarship funds to support students in pursuing college or vocational education.

Sara Archer — Program Staff A former CEO of Blue Mountain Humane Society; focuses on supporting donors and nonprofits in creating sustainable social change.

Board of Trustees: The Board is diverse and community-rooted, comprising leaders from business, education, agriculture, public administration, and banking. Notable trustees include: Barbara Ku`ulei Roloff (community development consulting, public administration background); Melissa Clubb (finance, real estate, brand management); Sandy García (mathematics-economics, Whitman College); Chris Drabek (education leadership consultant, EdD); and a trustee who serves as President and CEO of Baker Boyer Bank. More than 35 additional community volunteers serve on BMCF committees.

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Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted through BMCF's online grants portal at grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=bmcf. New applicants must create an account before beginning their application. BMCF is described as accessible and approachable, and consolidates all current grant opportunities on a single page on its website.

Eligible organisations include:

• 501(c)(3) public charities
• Private operating foundations
• Religious organisations with a valid 501(c)(3) determination letter
• Municipalities and Native American tribal governments (for specific public purposes)
• Organisations without one of the above statuses must apply through an eligible fiscal sponsor

Applications require a written narrative and organisational budget at minimum. BMCF notes they use "straightforward and basic proposals," submitted online. Pre-application questions can be directed to Meg Patnod at meg@bluemountainfoundation.org or 509-529-4371.

Decision Timeline

Program	Application Window	Decision
Discretionary / Community Grants (incl. Stubblefield)	August 1 – August 29	November
Warren Community Action Fund	~February 20 – March 29	Early May
Shindig Grants	~March 8 – April 12	Early May
Stubblefield Year-Round Program	Rolling (anytime)	Not specified
Garfield County Health Foundation Fund	Annual cycle	Not specified

Applicants are notified of decisions after the review period; the foundation does not publicly specify its notification method beyond announcements.

Success Rates

BMCF made 116 grant awards in 2024, 123 awards in 2023, 107 in 2022, 134 in 2021, and 76 in 2020. The Discretionary Grants Program has an annual budget of approximately $250,000, making it competitive given demand. The foundation has not published an explicit success rate percentage. Given the range and scale of its programs, applicants should expect competition.

Reapplication Policy

No explicit reapplication waiting period has been publicly documented by BMCF. Given the annual grant cycle, unsuccessful applicants should contact Meg Patnod at meg@bluemountainfoundation.org for feedback and guidance on reapplying.

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Application Success Factors

BMCF has provided specific guidance on what makes a compelling application:

1. Demonstrate community impact within the grant term: BMCF looks for projects — whether programmatic or capital — that will make a measurable difference within the period of the grant, and to which BMCF's funding will directly contribute.

2. Show broad community support: Applications are strengthened when they demonstrate consensus in the community, evidenced by financial and in-kind support received from other sources. Multi-funder support signals credibility.

3. Align with geographic service area: Only organisations serving Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield (WA), or Umatilla (OR) counties should apply. Out-of-area applicants will not be considered.

4. Apply through the correct program: The Stubblefield Foundation does not operate a separate application — nonprofits seeking Stubblefield funding should apply through the standard BMCF Community Grants Program each August.

5. Use the online portal: All applications must go through grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=bmcf. There is no paper or email application route.

6. Consider the Stubblefield Year-Round Program for urgent needs: If an organisation faces an unforeseen or urgent need outside the main August application cycle, the Stubblefield Year-Round Grant Program accepts rolling applications via the same portal.

7. Understand BMCF's stated gap: CEO Kol Medina has publicly acknowledged that the foundation's discretionary flexible funding has been limited relative to community demand. The completed Raise the Blues Campaign, which raised over $52 million, is designed to expand this discretionary capacity going forward — signalling a foundation actively working to grow its grantmaking.

8. Larger grants are possible: While the Discretionary Grant Program cap is $20,000, applicants with programs, projects, or capital needs may be eligible for larger awards in the $20,000–$100,000 range through appropriate channels.

9. Contact Meg Patnod before applying: The foundation actively encourages prospective applicants to reach out at meg@bluemountainfoundation.org with questions before submitting.

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Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Strong regional focus: BMCF exclusively serves a defined four-county rural area in southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon — only organisations operating within this geography are eligible.
• Multiple entry points exist: Beyond the flagship Discretionary Grants Program, BMCF administers several specialised funds (Warren, Shindig, Garfield County Health, Stubblefield Year-Round) that may suit different organisations and timelines.
• August is the primary deadline: The main annual Community Grants cycle (including Stubblefield Foundation awards) closes in late August with decisions in November — plan accordingly.
• Community consensus matters: BMCF prioritises projects where other funders, community members, and stakeholders have already demonstrated their support.
• Expanded grantmaking capacity incoming: The Raise the Blues Campaign's $52 million+ achievement signals that BMCF's annual discretionary grantmaking will grow significantly in coming years, creating new opportunities.
• Contact the grants manager proactively: BMCF is explicitly described as accessible and approachable; Meg Patnod (meg@bluemountainfoundation.org) welcomes pre-application queries, and this contact should be used to refine proposals before submission.
• Broader grants are achievable: While the publicised Discretionary cap is $20,000, larger grants of $20,000–$100,000 are possible for strong programmatic or capital applications — do not self-limit the ask if the project warrants it.

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References

1. Blue Mountain Community Foundation – Official Website: https://www.bluemountainfoundation.org — accessed February 2026
2. BMCF 2025 Grant Opportunities Page: https://www.bluemountainfoundation.org/grants/grantinfo/ — accessed February 2026
3. BMCF Stubblefield Foundation Grant Program Page: https://www.bluemountainfoundation.org/grants/stubblefield-foundation-grant-program/ — accessed February 2026
4. BMCF Staff Page: https://www.bluemountainfoundation.org/about-us/staff/ — accessed February 2026
5. BMCF Board of Trustees Page: https://www.bluemountainfoundation.org/about-us/board-of-trustees/ — accessed February 2026
6. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer — Blue Mountain Community Foundation (EIN 91-1250104): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/911250104 — accessed February 2026 (financial data: total assets $112.6M, net assets $93.6M, total revenue $31.9M, 2024 IRS 990 filing)
7. Instrumentl 990 Report — Blue Mountain Community Foundation: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/blue-mountain-community-foundation — accessed February 2026 (grant award counts: 116 in 2024, 123 in 2023, 107 in 2022, 134 in 2021, 76 in 2020)
8. Cause IQ — Blue Mountain Community Foundation: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/blue-mountain-community-foundation,911250104/ — accessed February 2026
9. Inside Philanthropy — Blue Mountain Community Foundation: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/washington-grants/blue-mountain-community-foundation — accessed February 2026 (grant range $500–$475,000; application portal details)
10. Dayton Chronicle — "Blue Mountain Community Foundation's Raise the Blues Campaign exceeds goals" (January 30, 2025): https://www.daytonchronicle.com/story/2025/01/30/news/blue-mountain-community-foundations-raise-the-blues-campaign-exceeds-goals/5514.html — accessed February 2026 (Raise the Blues Campaign figures and Kol Medina quote)
11. Union-Bulletin — "Blue Mountain Community Foundation awards grants to 22 local organizations" (December 2024): https://www.union-bulletin.com/news/local/business/blue-mountain-community-foundation-awards-grants-to-22-local-organizations/article_371b9552-b817-11ef-a9c5-e3561dfd6197.html — accessed February 2026
12. Union-Bulletin — "Blue Mountain Community Foundation opens 2025 grant program": https://www.union-bulletin.com/news/local/business/business-notes-blue-mountain-community-foundation-opens-2025-grant-program/article_80642bee-5d6c-4f54-917e-cbc58a5c0b4a.html — accessed February 2026
13. Union-Bulletin — "Raise the Blues Campaign approaches goal" (July 2024): https://www.union-bulletin.com/news/local/blue-mountain-community-foundation-s-raise-the-blues-campaign-approaches-goal/article_e4c7b4f2-4b9c-11ef-ac76-77d724c72cc2.html — accessed February 2026 (Kol Medina quote on discretionary funding gap)
14. GrantForward — Blue Mountain Community Foundation sponsor profile: https://www.grantforward.com/sponsor/detail/blue-mountain-community-foundation-4768 — accessed February 2026
15. Charity Navigator — Blue Mountain Community Foundation (EIN 91-1250104): https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/911250104 — accessed February 2026 (4/4 star rating)