LaunchNW Rural Grant Program

The Innovia Foundation's LaunchNW Rural Grant Program aims to "galvanize entire communities to ensure that every child finds belonging and travels their best journey from birth to career attainment." This initiative, initially implemented in Spokane County, is now expanding to rural communities in ten eastern Washington counties served by the Innovia Foundation. The program's core mission aligns with the foundation's broader goal of addressing changing community needs and generating sustainable, measurable change. By focusing on rural areas, LaunchNW extends the foundation's impact to underserved populations, fostering community-based solutions to support children's development from an early age through their careers. The target beneficiaries of the LaunchNW Rural Grant Program are the children and communities within the selected rural counties of eastern Washington. The program seeks to achieve significant impact by partnering with local leaders and various community sectors to provide funding and technical support. The primary goal is to empower these communities to create environments where every child can thrive, leading to improved educational outcomes, enhanced well-being, and ultimately, successful career attainment. This initiative reflects the foundation's theory of change, which posits that by investing in community-led efforts and fostering strong local partnerships, lasting positive change can be achieved at a systemic level. The program prioritizes communities that can establish a "community-based LaunchNW Coordinator" to facilitate local efforts. Grants of $30,000 are specifically allocated to partially support these coordinators for two years, highlighting the program's focus on building local capacity and leadership. The emphasis is on sustainable, measurable change, suggesting a commitment to long-term impact rather than short-term interventions. Innovia Foundation's strategic priorities include supporting public charities, federally recognized tribes, and public entities, ensuring that funding reaches legitimate organizations with clear charitable purposes. This approach underscores the foundation's commitment to responsible and impactful philanthropy. Expected outcomes include galvanized communities, enhanced belonging for children, and improved journeys from birth to career attainment. The program anticipates measurable results through the sustained efforts of community-based coordinators and the collaborative work of local leaders and various sectors. By providing two years of support for coordinators, the foundation aims to establish a strong foundation for long-term success and self-sufficiency within the participating communities. The program's design, which encourages applications from diverse eligible entities and allows for multiple grant applications, demonstrates Innovia Foundation's flexible and inclusive approach to community development.