Community Foundation of NCW Legacy Fund Grants

The Community Foundation of NCW (CFNCW) is currently accepting applications for its 2025 Legacy Fund Grants program, specifically targeting nonprofit organizations located in the Cashmere, Chelan Valley, Upper Valley, and Wenatchee Valley communities of Washington State. CFNCW, a philanthropic organization dedicated to serving North Central Washington, aims to strengthen local nonprofit efforts by providing unrestricted and community-centered funding. The Legacy Fund initiative began in 2023 and embodies the Foundation’s commitment to place-based philanthropy. Each fund within the program is permanently restricted to a geographic area and supports that community in perpetuity through annual grantmaking. The Legacy Fund Grants are CFNCW’s primary competitive grantmaking initiative. Grants are intended to support general operations or specific projects that reflect community priorities. Spending is not limited to a particular sector or program type, offering grantees the flexibility to address the most pressing local needs. Funding decisions are made by Local Advisory Boards (LABs), which include both community members and a CFNCW Trustee. These boards ensure that grant awards are informed by a deep understanding of the unique priorities and challenges within each region. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) public charities headquartered in Chelan, Douglas, or Okanogan counties. Fiscal sponsorships are allowed. Organizations serving multiple communities may submit one application identifying all service areas. Public schools are not eligible to apply. Government agencies and faith-based organizations may submit applications only for project-specific support that aligns with CFNCW’s grantmaking guidelines. Notably, eligibility for government agencies may vary by region, and applicants are encouraged to consult the Foundation for clarification if needed. The geographic areas served by each Legacy Fund are clearly delineated. The Cashmere Fund is limited to organizations based in Cashmere. The Chelan Valley Fund supports nonprofits in Chelan, Chelan Falls, Entiat, and Manson. The Upper Valley Fund covers Leavenworth, Dryden, Peshastin, Lake Wenatchee, and Plain. The Wenatchee Valley Fund includes Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Rock Island, Malaga, Orondo, and Monitor. These regional distinctions ensure that funding remains localized and responsive to distinct community needs. The 2025 application window opens on July 1 and closes on August 15. While no pre-application deadlines or LOI stages are mentioned, the grant is clearly on a recurring annual cycle. Beyond the currently open round, CFNCW also operates additional Legacy Fund cycles for the Methow Valley and Okanogan Valley. The Methow Valley Fund application cycle will run from December 1 to January 15, and the Okanogan Valley Fund will open February 1 and close March 15. These staggered timelines allow CFNCW to serve different regions throughout the year. For additional information or to begin an application, interested applicants can visit www.cfncw.org/legacyfundsgrant. Direct inquiries can be addressed to Jennifer Short, Director of Community Grants, at info@cfncw.org or by phone at (509) 663-7716. The CFNCW main offices are located at 9 S Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801, with a second office in Omak at 715A Okoma Drive. This program reflects a long-term commitment to community empowerment through donor-supported, locally governed funding.