Camas-Washougal Community Chest Grant

The Camas-Washougal Community Chest (CWCC) is a long-standing philanthropic organization founded in 1946, dedicated to supporting local nonprofit initiatives that serve the residents of Camas and Washougal, Washington. It is run in partnership with the Camas-Washougal Rotary Foundation and the Camas Lions Foundation, forming a collaborative funding body that annually distributes grants to community-oriented programs. The CWCC operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and relies heavily on donations from individuals, businesses, and institutions within the community. Its mission is deeply rooted in the belief that community-based giving enables transformative change in local lives, particularly in the areas of education, health, crisis services, and inclusion. The CWCC grant program is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that offer services within the Camas-Washougal area. The focus is on supporting programs related to education and youth development, health and welfare, services for individuals with special needs, crisis and emergency services, environmental conservation, and initiatives promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Eligible applicants also include the Camas and Washougal School Districts. All applicants must demonstrate that all or a high percentage of requested funding will directly benefit the Camas-Washougal communities. Funding must be spent within twelve months following the grant award date in March, and all grantees are required to submit a report by December 31 detailing how the funds were used. Funding allocations cover a broad range of community-based services. These include emergency food assistance, shelter for at-risk youth, educational support services, programs combating social isolation among seniors, after-school programs, crisis shelters, environmental education, and financial assistance for individuals undergoing medical treatment. Each proposal must outline the need, objectives, funding sources, service impact, geography served, budget breakdown, and timetable for the use of funds. A financial statement from the prior fiscal year and proposed activity budget are also required. Applicants are expected to maintain clear reporting mechanisms to ensure that funds are geographically used within Camas and Washougal. The submission process involves completing the CWCC Grant Application and submitting all attachments as a PDF via email or mail. Required attachments include: the narrative description of need and purpose, itemized project budget, organizational financial statements, and a signed declaration for the use of funds. Grantees must also agree to provide three digital photos by the end of the grant period depicting how the funding was utilized. Optional video submissions are encouraged for further visibility. Any deviation from approved funding use must be pre-approved by the CWCC Board. Applications are due by December 15 each year, with decisions made and funds distributed beginning in March of the following year. Grants are awarded on an annual basis, and organizations are encouraged to reapply in future cycles. The application process does not involve pre-application stages like letters of intent or concept papers, and there is no indication of rolling admissions. The performance period extends up to nine months post-award. The CWCC clearly outlines its expectations for public acknowledgment, encouraging grantees to reference the funder in press materials, printed literature, and on organizational websites, ideally linking back to the CWCC homepage. For inquiries or support during the application process, applicants may contact CWCC President Andrew Gustely at (704) 918-8475 or via email at [email protected]. The funder emphasizes community stewardship and accountability, urging grantees to participate actively in promoting the role of CWCC in local philanthropy. The application process is streamlined but requires comprehensive documentation to ensure that grants are allocated to organizations with a proven commitment to serving the Camas-Washougal region effectively.

All deviations from proposed spending must be pre-approved; three digital photos are required for final reporting; public acknowledgment of CWCC funding is encouraged.