At Yakima Valley Community Foundation, we are committed to supporting initiatives that address social and economic challenges facing communities. Our approach to grant-making is centered around empowering communities to identify and implement solutions that are tailored to their unique needs.
A youth-led group of high school students in the Yakima Valley creating a positive impact through philanthropy and leadership. The program includes a selection of diverse students who receive training about diversity, equity, our community, grantmaking, philanthropy, and non-profits. The annual cohort is given $50,000-$100,000 to grant in the Yakima Valley where they believe they'd like to make a difference.
The 2024 grant round is now closed. This year's grant philanthropic priorities selected by the Youth Leadership Council are:
Grant award range: $5,000-$25,000
For more information, contact grants@yakimavalleycf.org.
To learn more about the Youth Leadership Council, click here.
YVCF offers an annual Community Impact Grant Round supporting work in the following six areas:
The 2024 Annual Grant Round has not yet been scheduled. To receive notification when our next grant opportunity is available, please sign up here.
We love to connect with our non-profit partners! Please reach out at grants@yakimavalleycf.org to connect with Grants & Programs staff.
Sponsorships are designed for nonprofit organizational events or projects. We request a letter or email describing your organization, your event or project, and the amount of your request 60 days prior to your event. Sponsorships are available year-round, subject to funding availability.
Our grant selection process allows us to support effective and innovative organizations—including startups—working in our region. Explore which grant opportunity may be best suited for your organization.
Click here to learn more.
We believe that those who are most impacted by social and economic issues are best positioned to identify the most effective solutions. Therefore, we support solutions, services, and programs that include input and guidance from those impacted.
We recognize that those living and working in local communities know best what will work for their culture, their location, and their situation. Therefore, we believe communities are best served when systems are designed around community needs.
We support organizations that partner and network to provide resources instead of duplicating them. This approach avoids duplication of efforts and creates partnerships and networks that provide essential resources to those in need.
Guidelines and Applications
Organizations serving Yakima county, or the Yakama Nation are eligible. Organizations from Kittitas County may apply, but funding is limited. The applicant must be a public organization with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c) of the IRS, a federally recognized Tribe, or a unit of local government. The applicant must also be registered and in good standing with the Washington Secretary of State as a nonprofit corporation, nonprofit professional services corporation, or a non-Washington nonprofit corporation registered in Washington. Preference is given to nonprofits in existence and operational for a period of two years or more and to previous or current grantees who have submitted their grant reports on time.
Typically, we ask organizations to submit one grant request per year. We will post when grant applications are open. Please contact grants@yakimavalleycf.org for more information.
Yes, you may apply. An interim grant report is required when you submit a new grant request, and your organization would still be required to submit a final report as outlined in the grant agreement.
Basic Needs
Our goal is to assist in providing a foundation for survival–including shelter, food and clothing, and related support on the path to self-sufficiency.
Education
We are committed to providing residents of all ages access to a high-quality education, one that fosters a passion for learning, encourages curiosity and results in critical thinking. Our investment goal is to close the opportunity gap for students.
Health and Wellness
Health and wellness is a cornerstone and priority in our community investment strategies. We recognize that health conditions, and the social conditions that affect them, can be positively impacted through grants.
Our goals are to address physical, nutritional, mental and emotional health challenges in a comprehensive and holistic manner with an emphasis on the underserved.
Cohesive Communities
A cohesive community is one with a common vision and a sense of belonging for all; we appreciate and value the diversity of people’s different backgrounds and circumstances. Neighbors connect with neighbors and contribute to a culture of civic engagement. Our goal is to support efforts that build community cohesion, including a strong and vibrant nonprofit sector and economic development.
Arts, Music and Culture
Grants in arts, music and culture create a thriving community where groups and individuals express themselves and capture the imagination. We give priority to applications that demonstrate a strategic relationship with one or more of our other program areas.
Environment
Grants in the environment may be related to safeguarding and improving the environment of Yakima County, including air and water quality issues.
We generally do not fund the following:
Capital expenditures for real estate or construction
Endowments
Debt retirement/reduction
Political or lobbying activities
Sectarian worship, instruction or proselytizing
Medical or scientific research
Other grant-making organizations
Individual school classroom support
Any organization that cannot affirm that it will not discriminate, withhold, exclude or deny services on the basis of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientations, political affiliation, religious beliefs or the lack thereof.
Information about funding limits will be posted with each grant application announcement.
Yes. An applicant may request funds for operational support. We'd love to have strong, sustainable nonprofit organizations serving our community!
Operational funds support the day-to-day operations that fall within the mission of the organization. Grantees can use this funding to cover overhead expenses such as payroll & staffing costs, rent, programs and services.
We conduct initial screenings for complete applications immediately after the application deadline. We will notify you if you do not meet the qualifications or if more information is needed. We send out notifications of awards and declinations via mail and email 90 days after the application close date.
After submitting a request, the due diligence process and staff review process may take up to 30 days.
Program support is given to support a specific, connected set of activities with a beginning and an end, explicit objectives, and a predetermined cost. These are generally restricted grants and used for the proposed project.
Yes, you can email us to schedule a time or sign up for updates on our website to receive notifications of upcoming question and answer sessions. If your grant is declined, email grants@yakimavalleycf.org for a feedback session.