Washington grants for Unrestricted

The Waccamaw Community Trust Fund, established by the Waccamaw Community Foundation, is currently accepting applications for grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, with individual awards capped at $5,000. This grant program is designed to support a broad spectrum of causes that ultimately aim to enhance the lives of individuals and families residing in Horry and Georgetown counties in South Carolina. The Foundation's mission, as evidenced by this fund, is deeply rooted in local community improvement, focusing on practical support for various non-profit activities. Funding is available for crucial operational aspects such as equipment and supplies, general operating support, and specific special projects or programs. The grant's target beneficiaries are the residents of Horry and Georgetown counties, with an overarching impact goal to improve their quality of life. While the grant duration is not explicitly mentioned, the emphasis is on immediate and sustained community benefit, with a preference for initiatives that can continue after the Foundation's support concludes. The Waccamaw Community Foundation prioritizes proposals that demonstrate sensitivity to emerging needs, offer innovative solutions to existing problems, or initiate promising pilot projects. A key focus is on reducing costs and increasing efficiency for nonprofit organizations, as well as directly impacting those in need. The Foundation also looks for clear plans for continued funding beyond its initial support, indicating a strategic priority on sustainable and long-term positive change. Eligibility for the grant program is strictly defined. Applicants must be IRS-determined 501(c)(3) public charities, government agencies, or recognized houses of worship that are exempt from income tax. Furthermore, organizations must provide programs and services within Horry and/or Georgetown counties and adhere to non-discrimination policies based on age, sex, race, color, sexual orientation, national/ethnic origin, or disability. This commitment to equitable service provision and local impact forms a core part of the Foundation's theory of change, believing that targeted and well-supported local initiatives lead to significant community-wide improvements.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations affiliated with the Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit to develop a risk assessment model for managing invasive dreissenid mussels in Washington State's watersheds.

The City of Bellingham's Tourism Promotion Grants program aims to bolster economic activity within the city by attracting tourists. This initiative aligns with a broader mission to stimulate local commerce and development by encouraging visitor stays and expenditures. The program is designed to provide "seed money" for new events or marketing funds for ongoing events, with the overarching goal of increasing hotel stays and drawing more tourists to Bellingham. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are organizations and individuals hosting events or activities that have the potential to attract tourists to Bellingham. The impact goals are centered on increasing economic activity through tourism, specifically by "putting heads in beds" (hotel stays) and encouraging visitor spending. The program prioritizes activities that directly contribute to drawing tourists to the city, making funding contingent on this core objective. The grant program offers two distinct types: the Start-Up Grant and the Standard Grant. The Start-Up Grant is for events or activities that are three years young or less, allowing funds to be used for marketing and eligible operating expenses such as venue rentals, equipment rentals, a portion of rent, and the purchase of goods/supplies with prior approval. The Standard Grant is for events or activities that have been running for over three years, with similar eligible operating expenses. Both grant types explicitly exclude payroll, travel, alcohol, and equipment expenses. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in tourism-related economic activity, particularly in hotel occupancy and local spending. Measurable results would likely be tracked through metrics such as visitor numbers, hotel bookings, and event attendance, all contributing to the city's economic growth. The program's strategic priority is to maximize tourist attraction to Bellingham, and its theory of change is that by providing financial support for new and existing events that draw visitors, the city will experience a direct and positive economic impact from increased tourism.

The City of Bellingham is offering a grant for parties capable of producing a special or unique public experience, referred to as a “signature event.” This grant aims to foster artistic and cultural impact within the local community and among visitors, celebrating Bellingham’s indoor food, restaurant, arts, and culture scene. While the specific foundation mission or strategic priorities are not explicitly stated as a separate entity, the City of Bellingham's Tourism Commission acts as the guiding body with clearly defined goals that serve a similar purpose, aligning with the broader civic objective of enhancing the city's appeal and economic vitality through tourism and cultural enrichment. The target beneficiaries include the local community of Bellingham, visitors (with an emphasis on Canadian tourists), and historically marginalized communities such as BIPOC and LGBTQIA+. The impact goals are multi-faceted, aiming to create meaningful artistic and cultural experiences, celebrate local culinary and arts scenes, promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, attract significant tourism (particularly overnight stays), generate secondary economic benefits, and foster a positive long-lasting impression of Bellingham/Whatcom County. The program also seeks to integrate new and emerging talent, ensuring a dynamic and evolving cultural landscape. The program prioritizes events that provide a unique and distinctive Pacific Northwest experience, avoiding replication of events found in larger cities like Seattle. A strong focus is placed on walkability, highlighting the food and restaurant scene, and incorporating local businesses, history, attractions, and environmental stewardship. Crucially, the program aims for the signature events to become self-sustaining within a few years, minimizing the long-term reliance on City funding. This reflects a strategic priority to seed initiatives that can ultimately thrive independently, contributing to the city's cultural and economic fabric for the long term. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in tourism, particularly from Canadian visitors, and a higher likelihood of overnight stays. The events are anticipated to generate numerous secondary economic benefits for local businesses. Success will also be measured by the artistic and cultural impact on the community, the level of diversity and inclusivity achieved, and the creation of a lasting positive impression of Bellingham. The long-term goal is for these events to become financially self-sufficient after three years, demonstrating a successful launch and sustainable operation, thereby contributing to the City's broader tourism and economic development objectives. Funding is committed for up to three years to provide seed money. Up to $100,000 is available for the first year, with approximately $70,000 for each of the following two years, for one or more signature events. Eligible expenses cover marketing and operational costs. Marketing activities include advertising, publicizing, and distributing information to attract tourists, as well as developing tourism expansion strategies. Operational expenses encompass typical event management costs such as supplies, equipment rentals, and venue fees. This financial structure supports the strategic objective of launching a new event and fostering its growth towards self-sustainability within the initial three-year period.