NCW Foundation for Youth Grant

The NCW Foundation for Youth Grant is administered by the Community Foundation of North Central Washington (CFNCW), a regional philanthropic organization focused on growing and connecting charitable resources across Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan Counties. CFNCW’s mission centers on supporting strong communities, and one of the ways it fulfills this is through discretionary grantmaking programs tailored to local needs. The NCW Foundation for Youth Grant exemplifies this mission by offering funding specifically for projects that directly benefit youth aged 18 and under within Chelan and Douglas counties. This grant opportunity is designed to support youth-serving programs, with a maximum award of $1,000 per organization. Applicants may propose funding for one or more projects, with flexibility in scope as long as the intended beneficiaries are local youth. Successful projects often include in-state field trips, afterschool activities, supplies and materials for youth engagement, transportation to special events, scholarships, and other program-related expenses. The fund emphasizes accessibility, with special consideration given to programs that either benefit large numbers of youth or provide access to otherwise unattainable opportunities. Strict restrictions are in place regarding how the grant funds may be used. Ineligible uses include fundraising events, capital or facility improvements, general operations, staffing, adult-targeted programming, and marketing. Similarly, costs that schools are traditionally expected to cover (such as classroom supplies) are not allowable. Personal projects by individuals are also excluded, reinforcing the requirement that only organizations—including nonprofits, schools, clubs, or teams—may apply on behalf of youth. To qualify, applicant organizations must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits operating in Chelan or Douglas counties and must comply with CFNCW’s broader grantmaking guidelines. Schools are eligible under this program, even though they may be excluded from other CFNCW programs like the Legacy Fund. Additionally, grant recipients are required to wait 12 months before reapplying and must expend awarded funds within six months of receipt. Programs affiliated with faith-based organizations may be eligible if the funded activity is non-religious, broadly accessible, and free of proselytizing. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year and reviewed every other month, with awards typically made in January, March, May, July, September, and November. This ongoing review cycle allows for flexibility and responsiveness to emerging needs in youth services. While there is no pre-application process or stated application form requirements, applicants are encouraged to adhere to CFNCW’s values of inclusivity, equity, and impact. For questions or assistance, applicants can contact Jennifer Short at jennifer.s@cfncw.org or by phone at (509) 663-7716. The grant opportunity is ongoing and designed to support timely, impactful youth projects with clear community benefit in the designated service area.

Programs that benefit many youth or provide access to otherwise unavailable opportunities are prioritized.