How to Find Grants for Nonprofits in Washington
If you're reading this, you're probably juggling a dozen responsibilities at your nonprofit — and now someone's asked you to "find some grants." Maybe you're a board member who volunteered to help. Maybe you're the executive director wearing every hat. Or maybe you're the operations lead who just got handed this task on top of everything else.
Here's the truth: grant searching can feel overwhelming, especially in a state as big and diverse as Washington. But you don't need to be a professional grant writer to get started. This guide breaks down exactly where to look, what to prioritize, and how to move forward — step by step.
Start with What's Available in Washington
Washington doesn't have one central portal where all nonprofit grants live, but there are several key places to start your search:
State Government Programs:
- Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) — Manages grants for outdoor recreation, conservation, and natural resource projects. They use a system called PRISM to manage applications.
- Heritage Capital Projects (HCP) — Run by the Washington State Historical Society since 1995, these grants support community history facilities and historic landscapes.
- American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding — The state allocated federal ARPA funds through various agencies. The Nonprofit Association of Washington tracks these opportunities in a shared Google Sheet.
Federal Grants:
You can search for federal opportunities at Grants.gov, though many nonprofits find government grants time-consuming and highly competitive. Right now, some federal funding is also paused or uncertain due to policy changes.
Pro tip: State grants often align with Washington's fiscal year and budget cycles. ARPA funds, for example, were distributed in May 2021 and May 2022. Keep an eye on state budget announcements in the spring.
Top Foundations to Know in Washington
Washington is home to some of the country's largest and most active foundations. Here are a few you should know about:
Statewide Funders:
- The Seattle Foundation — One of the top community foundations in the state, supporting local nonprofits through competitive grant cycles. They focus on equity, education, and community well-being.
- The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation — Among the largest foundations in Washington by assets. They support research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, with a focus on meaningful systems change.
- M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust — A major funder across the Pacific Northwest, supporting education, health, human services, and arts organizations.
Specialized or Community-Focused Funders:
- Potlatch Fund — Provides grants specifically to Tribes and Native-led nonprofits in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Programs include support for canoe journeys, community building, and Native arts.
- Social Justice Fund — Supports grassroots organizing led by communities most affected by injustice. Serves Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.
- Innovia Foundation — A regional community foundation serving Eastern Washington and North Idaho, with grants for local nonprofits across many cause areas.
Pro tip: Many foundations publish their past grantees on their websites. Look at who's received funding before — if your organization is similar in size, mission, or geography, that's a good sign you might be a fit.
Your Grant Search Toolkit
Here are the tools and resources Washington nonprofits use most often to find grants:
Free Resources:
- Nonprofit Association of Washington (nonprofitwa.org) — Your go-to hub for advocacy, workshops, funding alerts, and general nonprofit support in Washington. They also track state funding opportunities like ARPA.
- Zeffy Grant Finder — A 100% free grant discovery tool built for small nonprofits. Filter by cause, location, and eligibility. No subscription required.
- GrantWatch.com — Offers a searchable database of grants for Washington nonprofits. Free browsing with paid options for more features.
Paid or Premium Tools:
- Instrumentl — A grant prospecting platform with smart matching and deadline tracking. Subscription-based, but popular with nonprofits that apply frequently.
- Candid (formerly Foundation Center) — Offers foundation profiles, 990 tax forms, and grant data. Helpful for researching funders and understanding their giving patterns.
- InsidePhilanthropy — Provides news and analysis on foundations and their funding priorities.
Training and Support:
- Puget Sound Grantwriters Association — Hosts workshops and networking events for grant professionals.
- Nonprofit Association of Washington workshops — Regularly offers grant writing training, including past series on preparing for federal funding like ARPA.
Pro tip: Start with free tools. If you're applying to 10+ grants a year and need advanced filters or deadline reminders, then consider a paid platform.
Eligibility and What Funders Look For
Before you apply to any grant, make sure you meet the basic requirements. Here's what most funders in Washington will ask for:
Legal Requirements:
- 501(c)(3) status — Most private foundations require this. If you're a fiscally sponsored organization, check whether the funder accepts that structure.
- Washington State registration — All charitable organizations must register with the Washington Secretary of State's Charities Program before operating in the state. This is a prerequisite for many state and local grants.
Compliance and Reporting:
- You'll need to file annual renewals with the Secretary of State. Fees are $20 if your gross revenue is under $500,000, or $60 if it's above.
- Washington nonprofits are generally taxed like other businesses and must pay business and occupation (B&O) tax on gross revenues.
- Some grants require audited financials, board policies (like a whistleblower policy), or proof of insurance.
Common Eligibility Factors:
- Location — Many grants are restricted to specific counties, cities, or regions. If your nonprofit operates statewide but your 501(c)(3) is filed in King County, double-check whether that matters.
- Cause area — Funders often focus on specific issues like education, health, environment, or arts.
- Organization size — Some grants are only for small nonprofits (under $500K budget), while others prefer larger, established organizations.
- Physical presence — A few grants require a physical office or service location in Washington, which can disqualify remote or volunteer-run organizations.
Pro tip: Don't waste time applying to grants you're not eligible for. Read the eligibility criteria carefully before you start writing.
When to Apply
Grant cycles in Washington vary widely depending on the funder. Here's what to expect:
Year-Round Opportunities:
Some funders accept applications on a rolling basis and review them monthly. For example, the Community Center for Education Results reviews applications throughout the year.
Spring and Fall Cycles:
Many community foundations and corporate funders follow seasonal cycles. The Kent Community Foundation, for instance, has distinct spring and fall application windows.
State Budget Alignment:
State-funded grants often align with Washington's fiscal planning. ARPA funds, for example, were distributed in May 2021 and May 2022. Keep an eye on the state budget calendar if you're pursuing government grants.
Pro tip: Set up a simple spreadsheet or calendar to track deadlines. Many grants open at the same time each year, so once you know the pattern, you can plan ahead.
Getting Started: Your First 3 Weeks
If you're new to grant searching, here's a realistic plan to get you moving:
Week 1: Set Up Your Search
- Register your nonprofit with the Washington Secretary of State if you haven't already.
- Create a free account on Zeffy Grant Finder and set up your organization profile.
- Sign up for the Nonprofit Association of Washington's newsletter to get funding alerts.
- Bookmark 2–3 foundation websites that align with your mission (like The Seattle Foundation or M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust).
Week 2: Research and Filter
- Use Zeffy Grant Finder to search for grants by your cause area and location.
- Filter by deadline and eligibility to narrow your list.
- Look at past grantees for each opportunity — do they look like your organization?
- Make a shortlist of 5–10 grants that seem like a good fit.
Week 3: Prepare Your Documents
- Gather the basics: your 501(c)(3) letter, mission statement, budget, and board list.
- Write a one-paragraph summary of your organization that you can reuse.
- Check each grant's application requirements and note what's missing (like a logic model or letters of support).
- Apply to one grant this week — even a small one. You'll learn more by doing than by planning.
Pro tip: Don't wait until you feel "ready." Start small, learn as you go, and build your confidence with each application.
Search Keywords That Work
When you're searching for grants in Washington, try these keyword combinations:
- "Washington state grants nonprofits"
- "Seattle grants for nonprofits"
- "Tacoma community foundation grants"
- "Washington nonprofit association funding"
- "grants for [your cause] Washington" (e.g., "environmental grants Washington" or "youth programs grants Washington")
- "Washington state government grants"
- "Pacific Northwest foundation grants"
- "King County nonprofit grants"
- "grants for small nonprofits Washington"
- "Washington grant writing resources"
Pro tip: If you're in a specific city or county, add that to your search. Local grants are often less competitive and more accessible for small organizations.
Getting Help When You Need It
You don't have to do this alone. Here are some places to turn when you need support:
- Nonprofit Association of Washington (nonprofitwa.org) — Offers workshops, webinars, and one-on-one support for Washington nonprofits. They're a great first stop if you have questions.
- Puget Sound Grantwriters Association — Hosts networking events and training sessions for grant professionals. Even if you're not a professional grant writer, you can learn a lot from their community.
- Local community foundations — Many offer grant writing workshops or office hours for nonprofits in their region. Check with foundations like Innovia, The Seattle Foundation, or your local community foundation.
- Zeffy's support team — If you're using Zeffy Grant Finder and need help navigating the tool, reach out. We're here to make this easier for you.
Final Encouragement
Grant seeking is a skill, not a talent. You don't need to be perfect — you just need to start. Every grant you research, every application you submit, and every rejection you receive teaches you something. You'll get better at spotting the right opportunities, writing stronger proposals, and understanding what funders are looking for.
And remember: you're not alone. Thousands of nonprofits in Washington are doing this work right now, often with small teams and limited resources. You're part of a community that's figuring it out together.
Take it one step at a time. You've got this.
