Our Grantmaking
Grounded in Trust, Driving for Change
Our Grantmaking Philosophy
At WaWF, we strive to implement Trust-Based Philanthropy(opens in new tab) practices in a collective grantmaking setting. We aim to limit the burden of grant application processes on nonprofits and leverage the skills of our membership to review and research organizations. We give unrestricted grants because we believe that organizations know their communities best and deserve the flexibility that unrestricted funding provides.
Photo courtesy of past grantee: Young Women Empowered
Collective Grants
WaWF’s grantmaking advances equity for women, girls, and gender-expansive people facing the greatest barriers to justice. We know sexism and misogyny affect people differently, shaped by race, disability, gender identity, and other inequities. By centering intersectional experiences, our grants support inclusive, deeply rooted change in Washington.
Advocacy Grant
This program is designed to support organizations focused on changing the systems that have created or exacerbated structural inequities.
Direct Services Grant
This program is focused on supporting organizations that provide direct services and meet essential needs.
Grassroots Grant
This program focuses on emergent, grassroots, social change efforts with budgets ≤ $500,000.
Place-based Grant
This program focuses on organizations based outside of King County, with special attention paid to rural Washington. We rotate our focus on one geographic area per year.
Guided by Learning
Our grantmaking also reflects decades of learning and a deep understanding of the Washington nonprofit landscape. This understanding has led us to develop grants that are:
- Trust-Based, Multiyear & Unrestricted
- Transparent, Member-Driven & Staff-Facilitated
- Accessible via a Year-Round Application Portal
- Determined by a Grant Leadership Team made up of Members
- Grounded in an educational framework to ensure quality assessment
Putting Justice into Action
We see philanthropy as one way to put justice into action. As part of that work, we accept our responsibility for the systemic underinvestment in various communities in WA State, in particular those affected by inequity due to race and/or gender identity. We strive to ameliorate these harms.
We are honored to partner with local nonprofits by investing resources to power their work.
Photo courtesy of past grantee: International Health Services
