Washington Federal Foundation
The Washington Federal Foundation's purpose is to facilitate direct giving to community-based nonprofits that primarily serve the needs of people with low-and-moderate incomes.
Grants range from $1,000 - $5,000 and applications are taken on a rolling basis. Organizations can apply once per calendar year.
We direct our monthly contributions to these primary areas:
Emergency and Sustainable Housing
We support organization like Habitat for Humanity, land trusts, and other low-income housing programs that get people into stable homes. We also support homeless and emergency shelters and organizations that provide basic needs, wrap around services, wellness programs, social services, sustainable senior living, and other housing programs that help get people back on their feet and move out of poverty.
Food and Nutrition
With the abundance of food in our society today, no one should go hungry. We support organizations that deliver food and nutritious meals to those in need.
Economic Stability and Job Development
Economic stability means people have the essentials they need to live a healthy life. Living wage jobs are a corner stone in the stability that lifts people out of poverty. We support organizations and programs that provide employment training, access to affordable childcare, reliable transportation, access to quality healthcare, career counseling, education services, disability services, workforce training, small business entrepreneurialism, and employment stability.
Financial Literacy
Financial Literacy How to get out of debt, write a check, create a budget, or save for a home. These are all important skills everyone needs to build bright and stable financial futures. We give to organizations that provide financial literacy education so individuals and families can make empowered and informed financial decisions.
Employee Involvement
Washington Federal Foundation will consider small grants to charitable organizations where our employees serve in a leadership role or as a board member.
Some Exclusions: While we gladly consider all requests, the Foundation giving focus does not include individual scholarships, government agencies, museums or galleries, research into disease prevention or cures, sponsorships or contributions to sport teams, fundraising events or special events.
Apply For Funding - Required Documentation
Please review the grant application and ensure you include the necessary documentation.
- A copy of the IRS letter documenting the 501(c)(3) status of your organization
- The mission statement of your organization
- A list of your board of directors with their affiliations
- A complete budget for the project for which you are requesting funding
- The current annual operating budget for your organization
- Audited financial statements of the most recent fiscal year end
- Your most recent annual report
- A copy of your most recently filed Form 990
- Optional additive to application: If you have a connection with WaFd Bank employees who volunteer, service on your Board of Directors or if you have a business connection, please also include that information in your application. We encourage you to request a letter of support that can be sent to Kristi Ellefson (kristi.ellefson@wafd.com) to compliment your application.
Other Considerations
- You must be a valid 501c3 non-profit in service for at least 12 months
- You must be in proximity to a WaFd Bank branch (within a 45-minute drive)
- We review grants on a monthly basis. Organizations are able to apply for funding once per calendar year
- Please allow 60-90 days for the review process
For more information about our community giving program, please call 206-654-9356 and ask for Community Relations.
Some Exclusions: While we gladly consider all requests, the Foundation giving focus does not include individual scholarships, government agencies, the arts, research into disease prevention, secondary education, or contributions to sport teams, programs or events.