Grants
Investing in Opportunity
At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we’re dedicated to giving voice and resources to programs with the potential to create lasting, positive change for our community.
Through grantmaking, we partner with local organizations to support projects that reflect the needs and opportunities of our region and serve our donors’ shared desire to enhance the quality of life for people in Mason County, now and far into the future.
Our Priorities
Workforce and Learning Readiness
We strive to create a career education culture across multiple pathways (college, trades, certificates, and apprenticeships), increase equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities for all ages, and advance talent development initiatives that align learning with workforce needs.
Workforce Supports
We aim to foster a thriving local economy by developing innovative, attainable housing solutions; advancing transportation infrastructure and accessibility; and removing barriers to financial independence.
Recreation & Quality of Life
We promote the development of new, existing, and interconnected trails; work to increase and enhance inclusive and engaging public spaces and recreational activities; and foster vibrant, diverse, and sustainable arts and culture opportunities.
Grant Guidelines
Grant Proposal Best Practices
Qualities of the best grant proposals:
- Collaborative, comprehensive, and sustainable
- Designed to prevent problems, rather than simply addressing the effects of problems
- Provide start-up or seed funding for innovative projects
- Leverage grant dollars to bring in additional funds; have multiple sources of funding
Organizations Seeking Grants
The strongest proposals are submitted by organizations who have:
- Adequate staff/organizational capacity to achieve the proposal goal
- Sound fiscal policy and responsible financial management
- Staff and board of directors reflective of the organization’s audience
- Ability to measure the impact of grant money and report the results
- Proven record of cooperating with other organizations
- Capacity to understand and explain how the project will relate to other area services/organizations
- Broad base of community support
Grantee Media Kit
Once you have received a grant, you will have guidelines that are intended to help you publicize your program. The Community Foundation publicizes grants and grant stories through media relations, social media, publications, and our website.
Additional Information
The Community Foundation does not usually award grants for:
- Regular operating expenses
- Equipment, computers, software, and vehicles
- Conferences, camps, or media
- Conference speakers
- Special events and endowment campaigns
- Individual school buildings or districts
- Religious programs that serve, or appear to serve, specific religious believers or require participants to practice or adhere to specific religious beliefs
- Individuals
Featured Fund:
Robert R. and Joan Hasenbank Fund
Joan Hasenbank and her late husband Robert spent their entire lives in the northeast corner of Mason County—a place to which they both felt a deep connection. With a drive to help others… Read More
