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GrantsHow to Apply for a Grant

How Can We Help?

We love reviewing grant applications from nonprofits serving the Bainbridge community! Our giving strategy focuses on long-term impact, permanence, and sustainability. To realize that strategy, we fund two distinct grant-making programs:

  1. The Community Grants Cycle, which supports nonprofits serving Bainbridge Islanders in arts and culture, animal welfare, education, environment, health and human services, and recreation;
  2. The Capacity Building Grants Program, which funds training / education to improve an organization's efficiency and efficacy.

As a community foundation, we help sustain all sectors of the nonprofit community. Community Grants Cycle grants are made for the following:

  • Animal Welfare
  • Arts, Culture, Humanities (including Recreation)
  • Disaster Relief
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Health and Human Services (including Housing)
  • Public/Society Benefit
  • Science/Technology
  • Social Science/Public Policy

Community Grants Cycle (CGC)

BCF will be accepting 2027 CGC grant applications for four weeks beginning in early February, 2027.  Check back for exact dates. 

Bainbridge Community Foundation’s Community Grants Cycle (CGC) supports local nonprofits whose work makes Bainbridge Island a stronger, healthier, and more connected community. Grants are funded through a combination of BCF discretionary funds, donor-advised funds, and community donations during the BainbridgeGives campaign. While BCF works hard to fund as many approved projects as possible, community giving plays an important role. We encourage applicants to help share and promote their projects.

What BCF Looks For
• Clear community benefit and unmet need
• Simple, meaningful outcomes
• Organizational readiness and good stewardship
• Equity, access, and affordability
We do not expect perfection. We value clarity, honesty, and alignment.

To be eligible to apply for the BCF Community Grants Cycle, organizations and proposals must meet the following:

  1. Current 501(c)(3) nonprofit status from the IRS and be headquartered in Washington State
  2. Serve Bainbridge Island (live, work or visit)
  3. Proposals for projects running July 1 of the application year to June 30 of following year
    (Grant period 7/1 - 6/30)
  4. Requests in 2027 will be accepted for funding between $1,000–$15,000

Please note before applying: This grant cycle does not support grants to individuals, private foundations, for-profit business, endowments, loans, vehicles, memberships, for re-granting or pass through funds, for religious activities or outreach (must be for secular purpose), commercial film or movie productions.  Documentary or educational media projects with clear community benefit may be considered. Funds will not be awarded for programs and/or equipment, etc. that were started, completed, or acquired prior to the grant period. The grant period is July 1 through June 30 of the following year.

Community Grants Funding Types

  • Program (Specific program or project)
  • Capital (Equipment/facility repairs, etc.); Estimates must be provided at time of application
  • Direct (Access to programming/support or access for under-served populations)
  • Operating (General operating support)

Community Grants Evaluation Criteria

BCF grants are made in compliance with guidelines established by the Council on Foundations National Standards Board as well as PEAK Grantmaking’s Project Streamline. The following principles guide our process:

  • Grants should directly benefit the community. Provide statistical data, client waiting lists, documentation for lack of services, etc.
  • Priority may be given to proposals that benefit the greatest number of people or the most under-served populations.
  • Grants should have measurable outcomes.
  • Organizational effectiveness, innovation, and board/organization capacity may also be taken into consideration. Demonstrate that the organization in a position deliver the project or program. With such things as strong leadership of board, volunteers and staff, have well-crafted policies and procedures, demonstrate a broad funding base.
  • Is the project/program well planned and likely to succeed? Provide a realistic budget (income and expenses), operating or business plan, evaluation, or targeted outcomes and outputs.
  • Completeness and quality of the application.

Process

  • BCF uses Common Grant Application www.commongrantapplication.com to manage its grantmaking process.
  •  If this is your first time using Common Grant Application, log on to their website and click the sign-up button at the top of the page.
  • If you are a returning applicant, please log-in to your existing account. If you cannot remember your log in credentials, please contact Common Grant Application or Debbie Kuffel (debbie@bainbridgecf.org). Please DO NOT set up a new account.
  • Only ONE grant application per organization will be accepted. However, one additional grant application will be accepted if made jointly with another nonprofit for a collaborative effort. Collaborative/partnership efforts will be considered for the BCF Shel Klasky Collaboration Award (Formerly BCF Trustees' Award). There is no separate application for this.
  • If the grant request is $4,000 or less and is NOT for Operational Support, you will only need to submit your most recently filed Form 990 as well as your current year Organization’s Operating Budget for “Organization” financial documents. If Request is for Operational Support, or, is for more than $4,000, additional financial information is required. Program/Project budgets are required for all applications. Operational Support requests do not require Program documentation. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SAVE YOUR APPLICATION PERIODICALLY WHILE COMPLETING THE APPLICATION. SAVING DOES NOT HAPPEN AUTOMATICALLY.
  • All grant requests will participate in a site visit (either remote or in-person) by a team comprised of BCF staff, board members and/or community volunteers.
  • Please include your logo AND 2 to 4 new / recent high quality (not pdf) photos with your application. Do not provide a link to your website in lieu of uploading photos. These images will be used by BCF on our website, eNewsletter, on social media, BCF annual and grantmaking reports or in other ways to publicize our grantmaking and the great work of the nonprofits serving our community.  
  • Continuing this year, we will again utilize our online grant catalog of applicant requests on our website (www.BainbridgeGives.org). Your submitted pictures will be used to highlight your request and will also be advertised widely.

Organizations new to the application process, are strongly encouraged to reach out to Debbie Kuffel, BCF Program & Finance Officer at debbie@bainbridgecf.org. She is happy to discuss applications from both new and returning applicants and provide feedback.

 

Capacity Building Grants Program

Bainbridge Community Foundation (BCF) is pleased to offer its annual Capacity Building Grants Cycle to help local nonprofits strengthen their organizations and work more effectively. BCF is one of the few community foundations in Washington State that provides grants specifically for capacity building.

We recognize that nonprofit organizations are continually looking for ways to improve their operations, strengthen leadership, and make the most of their resources. These grants support that work by helping organizations develop the skills, knowledge, and systems they need to carry out their missions successfully.

Capacity building differs from direct program services, general operating support, or capital projects. Rather than funding day-to-day activities, these grants focus on improving an organization’s internal effectiveness. Projects typically involve working with an outside consultant, trainer, or other professional who brings expertise in a particular area.

Examples of capacity building projects:

  • Board and staff training and development
  • Strategic planning
  • Board governance and organizational leadership
  • Fundraising and donor engagement
  • Marketing and communications
  • Program evaluation and organizational assessments
  • Technology and operational improvements
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

These are just a few examples. We welcome other projects that will help strengthen an organization’s operations and long-term effectiveness.

Who Should Apply?

We encourage applications from 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Bainbridge Island that are actively working to strengthen their organizational capacity or have identified a specific area for improvement. Applicants should have a clear understanding of the work they hope to accomplish and how it will benefit their organization.

In reviewing applications, BCF will consider an organization’s commitment to the proposed work, including:

  • Willingness to contribute a portion of the project costs from its own resources
  • Active involvement and participation by board members and staff
  • Willingness to share project outcomes and lessons learned with BCF and other organizations, when appropriate

Please note that this grant program does not fund additional staffing, increased staff hours, travel, or capital expenses. Requests for these purposes may be better suited to BCF’s annual Community Grants Cycle.

Grant Application Information

Grant Amounts: Applications requesting between $1,000 and $2,500 will be considered.

 Eligibility: Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Bainbridge Island. For purposes of this program, this includes organizations serving people who live, work, or visit Bainbridge Island.

 Application Process: Applications must be submitted online through Common Grant Application (CGA) at www.commongrantapplication.com.

  • Organizations with an existing CGA account should log in to complete their application. First-time users will need to create an account.
  • If your organization applied for BCF’s 2026 Community Grants Cycle, you will not need to resubmit  organizational financial information. BCF already has this information on file.
  • Only project-specific information, including a description of the proposed work and a project budget, will be required.

Application Review: Applications will be reviewed by BCF’s Grants Committee. Site visits will not be part of the review process.

Grant Announcements: Funding decisions will be announced in mid-December 2026.

Grant Period: Funded projects must begin and be completed between January 1 and December 31, 2027. Extensions beyond this period are discouraged.  Reimbursement for work occurring before this time period is not permitted.

Final Report: A short final report must be submitted through Common Grant Application by January 31, 2028. Organizations that do not submit their final report will be ineligible to apply the following year for funding.

Capacity Building Grant Program Highlights

In 2025, BCF awarded a record $56,440 in Capacity Building Grants to 26 local nonprofit organizations!

Since the program began in 2013, BCF has awarded $263,355 to 74 local nonprofit organizations, helping strengthen the nonprofit sector and the important work these organizations do in our community.

Questions or Assistance

If you have questions about the Capacity Building Grants Cycle, project eligibility, or the application process, please contact Debbie Kuffel, BCF Program & Finance Officer at debbie@bainbridgecf.org. We especially encourage first-time applicants to reach out with questions.

For technical assistance with the Common Grant Application website, visit www.commongrantapplication.com, select the Contact button, or call (310) 490-1277.

Additional Resources for Nonprofits

In addition to Capacity Building Grants, BCF offers free monthly workshops and educational opportunities to help nonprofit leaders strengthen their organizations. Training topics include board governance, strategic planning, fundraising, grant writing, marketing and communications, program development, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and more.

Visit bainbridgecf.org/education to learn more about upcoming workshops and training opportunities.

 We look forward to receiving your applications and continuing to support the important work of our local nonprofit community!