The Community Response Fund (CRF) awards funds in response to needs and requests from the community. The CRF complements the board-directed grants which are the core grantmaking strategy for the NWFE by responding quickly as needs arise. CRF grants provide short-term funding for a specific project or urgent need which has arisen from an eligible organization. CRF funding is for work being done that advances the objectives of our Growth Management and Aquatic Ecosystems programs. We also welcome proposals that will grow the base of environmental advocates and empower communities of color working on solutions to local environmental issues.
Eligible Organizations
NWFE funds nonprofit organizations working in support of protection and preservation of natural resources in the state of Washington. We invest in local community-based organizations that are often the first to see, experience and understand environmental needs, threats and trends, but which may lack the resources of larger organizations. Coupled with this, we aim to amplify the voices of historically marginalized communities.
Applicants must be 501(c)3 organizations or under the fiscal sponsorship of a 501(c)3 organization. Our preference is to award CRF funding to organizations that we are not currently funding to broaden our portfolio of grantees. We will accept applications from current grantees for a specific, urgent request.
Likely Candidates
- Community-based, locally-focused organizations
- Organizations led by and based in communities of color
- Applicants with a need for one-time funds for a discrete project
- Organizations piloting new projects, seeking small start-up funds
- Organizations seeking funds to support litigation
The Community Response Fund is for grants in the range of $1,000 – $5,000 for one year. Grants will be made on a rolling basis. Applications received after November 15th will be considered for funds the following January.
Eligible Activities
The request should be for a clearly defined project and scope of work. The scope should be related to one of our program areas Growth Management or Aquatic Ecosystems. The proposed project must be for environmental work in Washington State. The expected duration of the project should be for one year or less. Refer to the Eligibility and Limitations page for more details.
Sample Activities
- Lead community engagement to take action for a particular issue.
- File lawsuits or comments to stop proposed projects or activities that violate local, state, or federal environmental regulations pertaining to aquatic ecosystems, land use, or native species.
- Support leadership development and organizational capacity building particularly in under-resourced communities. Examples include support for: leadership trainings, list-building, canvassing and developing and implementing communications capacity needs.
Application Process
- Contact Staff at NW Fund to indicate your plan to submit an application and to confirm eligibility. Please also, let us know about the proposed project and ask any questions.
- Complete the application. In addition to contact information, you are asked to upload a document of two to four pages that describes:
- What do you propose to do and why? How is this project connected to our grantmaking priorities of Water (salt or fresh) or Growth Management?
- What is the urgency of the request?
- Why are you the organization to do this work in your community?
- Which other organizations are working on this issue? Please note any that are current NWFE Core Grantees. The list can be found on our website.
- Briefly outline the major tasks and timelines through which the project goals will be achieved.
- If you are a current grantee, explain how this complements the work for which you are currently funded.
- How will you know if you have succeeded?
- How will the efforts you are undertaking address equity and the inclusion of diverse communities?
- Please include your organization name, contact person, contact email, project title, amount requested, and a 50 word or less summary of your proposal at the top of the application.
- We will respond within one month.
- If a grant is awarded, a brief (1-2 pages) final report is due at the end of the project or within one year of the date of the grant award.