The Community Foundation of NCW is now accepting applications for Legacy Fund Grants in Cashmere, Chelan Valley, Upper Valley, and Wenatchee Valley. These grants provide unrestricted, community-centered funding to eligible nonprofit organizations serving these communities.

“It’s deeply moving to witness the dedication of local nonprofits throughout our communities,” said Jennifer Short, Director of Community Grants at the Community Foundation of NCW. “The Legacy Fund program is designed to address local needs, guided by those who know their communities best.”

The application window opens July 1 and closes August 15. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) public charities headquartered in Chelan, Douglas, or Okanogan counties. Organizations serving multiple communities may submit a single application indicating all applicable service areas, and fiscal sponsorships are permitted. Public schools are not eligible to apply, while government agencies and faith-based organizations may apply only for project-specific funding that aligns with the Foundation’s grantmaking guidelines, though eligibility for government agencies may vary by region.

Each Legacy Fund serves a defined geographic area with specific coverage. The Cashmere Fund supports nonprofits based in Cashmere, while the Chelan Valley Fund serves organizations in Chelan, Chelan Falls, Entiat, and Manson. The Upper Valley Fund covers Leavenworth, Dryden, Peshastin, Lake Wenatchee, and Plain, and the Wenatchee Valley Fund supports organizations in Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Rock Island, Malaga, Orondo, and Monitor.

Legacy Fund Grants represent the Community Foundation’s primary competitive grantmaking initiative across North Central Washington. Established in 2023, this initiative reflects a place-based approach to philanthropy that honors the wishes of donors who want to support the communities they care about. Each Legacy Fund is permanently restricted to a specific geographic area and provides annual grant funding to local nonprofits. These funds have been created by donors with the shared goal of helping their communities thrive today and for generations to come.

Each fund provides grant funding each year to qualified nonprofits meeting local needs, with grant recommendations made by Local Advisory Boards comprised of community members who bring the understanding of the local needs and priorities. Each board also includes a Foundation Trustee to guide and support the review and award process. Anyone can contribute to a Legacy Fund to help build its endowment and increase its grantmaking capacity over time, ensuring these funds will continue to provide vital, community-driven support in perpetuity.