Ben B. Cheney Foundation Grant

The Ben B. Cheney Foundation is a private philanthropic organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in communities historically linked to the operations of Mr. Cheney’s lumber company. The Foundation operates primarily in Pierce County, Washington, with additional giving in the Olympic Peninsula, Southwest Washington, select counties in Oregon, and Northern California. Across these regions, the Foundation supports a wide array of community-focused programs, emphasizing long-term impact and measurable improvements in the lives of residents. The Foundation prioritizes funding for specific projects rather than general operating expenses. Projects must have a defined timeframe, concrete outcomes, and a clearly articulated budget. The Foundation shows preference for efforts that invest in equipment or facilities, foster innovative solutions to community problems, demonstrate strong local support, or expand existing programs to serve more people. While the Foundation occasionally supports program expansion, it evaluates the long-term sustainability of these efforts carefully, considering whether the applicant has a viable strategy and sources for sustaining the work post-grant. Eligible applicants are generally public charities with 501(c)(3) status recognized under IRS sections 509(a)(1) or (2). Some government entities may qualify depending on the nature of the request. Organizations using a fiscal sponsor must have the sponsor submit the application. Grants are not awarded to individuals, endowment campaigns, operating budgets, political or sectarian activities, or for content production like films or books. The grant application process begins with a Letter of Inquiry (LOI), which is required for all applicants. LOIs are accepted year-round and must summarize a developed proposal in three pages or fewer. The letter should describe the organization's mission and history, outline the project and its total budget, specify the amount requested, explain the fundraising plan, and detail how the grant funds will be used. It must include contact details and the organization’s director’s name. LOIs should be addressed to Erika Tucci, Executive Director, and uploaded as PDFs to the Foundation’s grant portal. If the Foundation finds potential alignment between the project and its funding priorities, it will schedule a site visit or meeting. These interactions allow Foundation staff to deepen their understanding of the proposal, organization, and any recent developments. Applicants should bring representatives capable of providing detailed responses about the project and organizational capacity. Upon a successful meeting, the Foundation will invite a formal application. The timing for full application review varies based on the project and the amount requested. Grants above $15,000 must be reviewed by the Board of Directors and typically take 6–9 months from LOI submission to board decision. Smaller grants under $15,000 may be processed more quickly, often within 1–2 months. The Foundation Board meets quarterly. All materials should be submitted via the Foundation’s online grant portal. Additional guidance is available on the website, including tips for applicants and sample LOIs.

Clearly articulate the project scope, budget, and how results will be sustained post-grant. Respond to all elements in the LOI guidance.