Grays Harbor Community Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: Information not publicly available
Success Rate: Not available
Decision Time: Quarterly review cycles
Grant Range: Up to $5,000 for Quarterly Impact Grants (other amounts vary by program)
Geographic Focus: Grays Harbor County, Washington

Contact Details

Website: www.gh-cf.org
Phone: Not publicly listed
Email: Not publicly listed
Mailing Address: PO Box 615, Hoquiam, WA 98550-0615
Facebook: Grays Harbor Community Foundation

Overview

The Grays Harbor Community Foundation is a community foundation established in 1998 with a mission to improve the quality of life in all communities throughout Grays Harbor County, Washington. With total assets of $107 million (as of 2024) and annual revenue of $31.9 million, the foundation serves as a philanthropic hub for the region. The foundation operates donor-advised funds and provides various grant programs to support local nonprofit organizations, education initiatives, and community development projects. As a community foundation, they enable donors to support almost any charitable purpose that benefits local residents.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Quarterly Impact Grants: Up to $5,000 - designed for immediate, small-scale community needs with quarterly review cycles
Community Building Grants: Amount varies - supports broader community development initiatives
Early Learning Grants: Amount not specified - focuses on early childhood education programs
After School Grants: Amount not specified - supports after-school programming for youth
Non Profit Volunteer Fund: Amount not specified - supports volunteer-driven initiatives

Priority Areas

Community development and improvement
Education (early learning through high school)
After-school youth programming
Volunteer-driven community initiatives
Local nonprofit capacity building

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not publicly documented on available sources

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Eric Potts (2024 compensation: $158,105) Board Chair: Wes Peterson Board Size: 20 members including trustees, secretary, treasurer, and emeritus members

The foundation maintains a robust governance structure with community representatives serving on the board to ensure local needs are addressed through their grant-making activities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation offers multiple grant programs with applications reviewed on a quarterly basis. They provide resources to "Strengthen Your Application," though specific application portals or detailed procedures are not publicly available on their website. Interested organizations should contact the foundation directly for application materials and specific program guidelines.

Decision Timeline

Grants are reviewed quarterly, though specific notification timelines are not publicly documented.

Success Rates

Application success rates and number of grants awarded annually are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies is not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

The foundation emphasizes:

Demonstrating immediate community impact (especially for Quarterly Impact Grants)
Alignment with Grays Harbor County community needs
Focus on local benefit and residents
Clear demonstration of how funds will improve quality of life in the region

The foundation specifically designed their Quarterly Impact Grants program to be "truly responsive and meet the needs of our community," suggesting they value applications that demonstrate timely, tangible community benefit.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Focus exclusively on programs benefiting Grays Harbor County residents
Quarterly Impact Grants ($5,000 or less) offer the most accessible entry point with regular review cycles
Multiple specialized grant programs available - match your project to the appropriate program
Emphasize immediate, tangible community impact in applications
Consider how your project aligns with improving quality of life in Grays Harbor County
The foundation manages donor-advised funds, suggesting potential for cultivating specific donor interests
Contact the foundation directly for application materials as online portals are not readily available

References

GuideStar Profile for Grays Harbor Community Foundation (EIN: 91-1607005), accessed December 31, 2024
Grays Harbor Community Foundation Official Website (www.gh-cf.org), accessed December 31, 2024
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Grays Harbor Community Foundation, 2024 financial data, accessed December 31, 2024
IRS Tax-Exempt Status confirmation, exempt since August 1998