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Community Foundation Of North Central Washington

Annual Giving
$0.5M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo

Community Foundation Of North Central Washington

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $514,200+ (2025 Legacy Funds alone)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Varies by grant (typically 1-2 months after deadline)
  • Grant Range: Up to $100,000 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties, Washington

Contact Details

Overview

The Community Foundation of North Central Washington (CFNCW) serves as a philanthropic hub for Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties in Washington State. Operating with the tagline "Good Grows Here," CFNCW manages multiple legacy funds and grant programs that distribute hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to local nonprofits. In 2025 alone, the foundation awarded over $514,200 through its Legacy Fund Grants, with additional distributions through specialized programs. The foundation focuses on building philanthropy, raising awareness, and growing endowments while supporting charitable causes across five key areas: arts and culture, education and youth programs, environment and animal protection, health and human services, and public/social benefit.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Legacy Fund Grants: $514,200+ total (2025)

    • Wenatchee Valley Fund: $318,000
    • Upper Valley Fund: $85,200
    • Chelan Valley Fund: $69,000
    • Cashmere Fund: $42,000
    • Okanogan Valley Fund: $144,000
    • Application portal: grantinterface.com/Process/Apply?urlkey=cfncw

  • Methow Valley Game Changer Grant: Up to $100,000 (single award)

  • Woods Family Music & Arts Grant: Up to $5,000

  • NCW Foundation for Youth Grant: Amount varies (open year-round)

  • Community Partnership Grant: Amount varies

  • Make a Difference Day Project Grant: Amount varies

  • Impact Investing Program: Low-cost capital loans to nonprofits

Priority Areas

  • Arts and culture
  • Education and youth programs
  • Environment and animal protection
  • Health and human services
  • Public/social benefit
  • Affordable housing initiatives
  • Rural community development

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not publicly detailed; organizations should review individual grant guidelines

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership:

  • Beth Stipe - Executive Director
  • Claire Oatey - Director of Community Leadership
  • Denise Sorom - Director of Philanthropic & Program Services
  • Jennifer Short - Director of Community Grants
  • Thom Schroeder - Director of Marketing & Communications

Additional Staff:

  • Julie Mott - Scholarship Program Manager
  • Melissa Wisen - Software & Accounting Specialist
  • Annie Sirguy - Administrative Specialist
  • Gabriela Perky - Marketing & Communications Associate

Board of Trustees information available but not detailed on public website.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  • Online application portal: grantinterface.com/Process/Apply?urlkey=cfncw
  • Preview applications before submission
  • Review Grant Guidelines and Policies before applying
  • Contact Jennifer Short (jennifer.s@cfncw.org) for questions
  • Subscribe to e-news for grant announcements and updates

Application Deadlines by Program

  • Okanogan Valley Fund: Opens January 1, Deadline February 15
  • Mansfield Community Fund: Opens April 1, Deadline May 1
  • Community Partnership Grant: Opens June 1, Deadline July 31
  • Cashmere, Chelan, Upper Valley, Wenatchee Valley Funds: Opens July 1, Deadline August 15
  • Woods Family Music & Arts Grant: Opens August 1, Deadline September 30
  • Make a Difference Day Project Grant: Opens September 1, Deadline September 30
  • Waterville Community Fund: Opens October 1, Deadline December 1
  • Wenatchee High School Foundation: Opens October 1, Deadline October 31
  • Methow Valley Fund: Opens December 1, Deadline January 15
  • NCW Foundation for Youth: Open year-round

Decision Timeline

Typically 1-2 months after application deadline (varies by program)

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not specified in available materials

Application Success Factors

Based on CFNCW's funding patterns and priorities:

  • Organizations serving rural, remote, and geographically isolated communities have shown success
  • Projects addressing emergency preparedness in rural areas align with foundation priorities
  • Collaborative approaches that leverage multiple funding sources are favored
  • The foundation has funded diverse organizations from bike cooperatives to legal aid services
  • Projects with clear community impact metrics tend to succeed
  • Consider applying to multiple relevant grant programs offered by CFNCW

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • CFNCW offers multiple grant opportunities throughout the year - review all programs for best fit
  • The foundation has a strong focus on rural community needs in North Central Washington
  • Legacy Fund Grants represent the largest pool of funding, distributed across multiple geographic funds
  • The new Impact Investing Program offers loans as an alternative to traditional grants
  • Year-round youth grant opportunities exist through the NCW Foundation for Youth
  • Direct contact with Jennifer Short, Director of Community Grants, is encouraged for questions
  • Subscribe to their e-newsletter to stay informed about new opportunities and deadlines

References

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