Investing in Community
The Annual Community Grants Cycle (CGC) is the heart of the Bainbridge Community Foundation (BCF) grants program. Each year since this program's beginning in 2005, BCF staff and dozens of well-trained community volunteers have spent hundreds of hours reviewing applications, conducting site visits, and setting priorities. BCF discretionary funds provide initial proposal funding; then Fund Advisors and the community at large are invited to partner with BCF to support these important programs. This community-based approach to grant-making ensures that community needs are met — by our own informed and engaged community members.
BCF will be accepting CGC grant applications from February 11 at noon through March 11 at 5:00 PM. If you are newer in your role, would like to learn more about BCF's Community Grants Cycle process and timeline, or have any questions, please register to attend the 2026 CGC informational session on Feb 18 at 11 AM via Zoom. Click here to register: 2026 CGC Overview & Info for Nonprofits
Funding Sources
In addition to BCF discretionary grant-making funds, we partner with Charitable Fund Advisors, private foundations, and the public through Bainbridge Gives — BCF's online giving platform — to fulfill the rest of the funding requests. The BCF Shel Klasky Award for Collaboration / Innovation (formerly the BCF Trustees' Award) is presented to nonprofits with applications promoting a joint collaboration between nonprofit organizations or are creating innovative programs, and is funded by donations from board, staff, and Community Grants Cycle team members. In 2021, BCF launched its first Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Social Justice (IDEAS) Award that honors proposed projects focused on equitable access to programs and services for everyone.
The application, including questions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within each organization and in programs, reflecting the importance the foundation places on this issue. BCF encourages all sectors of our nonprofit community serving greater Bainbridge Island to apply.
2025 Grants Cycle: The 21st Anniversary of the CGC!
Review a list 2025 nonprofits grantees! Or review BCF's 2025 grantee report in more detail.
In 2025, 61 volunteers from the community reviewed 85 applications to the CGC, and 81 of those proposed projects were vetted and approved. BCF provided $70,000 in initial funding, and the rest of the support came from generous donors who gave at all levels. BCF was able to fund all of the approved applications, for a total of $849,180.
BCF has awarded more than $6.15 million in grants for community causes through this program.
Comparative Overview
| Year | Grant Total | Average Grant | Number of Grants |
| 2012 | $137,039 | $2,538 | 54 |
| 2013 | $139,166 | $2,840 | 49 |
| 2014 | $165,109 | $3,839 | 43 |
| 2015 | $195,202 | $4,067 | 48 |
| 2016 | $243,661 | $4,597 | 53 |
| 2017 | $269,887 | $4,353 | 62 |
| 2018 | $273,535 | $5,583 | 49 |
| 2019 | $321,823 | $6,310 | 51 |
| 2020 | $507,313 | $8,430 | 60 |
| 2021 | $422,589 | $7,030 | 52 |
| 2022 | $561,692 | $9,361 | 60 |
| 2023 | $605,975 | $9,322 | 65 |
| 2024 | $768,041 | $10,378 | 74 |
| 2025 | $849,180 | $10,457 | 81 |
