Application deadline for 2012 has passed
The C. Keith Birkenfeld Memorial Trust was established in 2006 as an Area of Interest Fund of The Seattle Foundation. The goal of the Trust is to make one-time grants to organizations improving the quality of life for Puget Sound residents.
Keith Birkenfeld was an educator, world traveler and philanthropist who died September 7, 2005. He retired from the Bellevue School District, where he spent 20 years as a high school teacher of international relations and U.S. history, and later as an administrator. He spent his last 25 years living on Bainbridge Island and traveling the world, meeting interesting and famous people. He was raised in Bremerton and was well-known around Kitsap County for his generous spirit.
What We Fund
Grants are awarded annually, with Kitsap County charitable organizations receiving first consideration. Previous grants made by the Trust range from $3,000 to $400,000, with an average grant size of $96,000.
Eligibility
- Applicant organizations that have current status as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity, as determined by the IRS, or have a fiscal sponsor with this status
- Organizations working in the arts, horticulture, wildlife, maritime and human service sectors, particularly agencies serving Kitsap County residents
- Organizations with religious affiliations will be considered for grants only if their activities address the needs of the wider community without regard to religious belief; proposed projects may not contain any content or activity intended to proselytize, even when participation in such activities is voluntary
- In general, the entirety of a project’s costs will not be awarded and only one grant will be made by the Trust over the course of the project
- Current grantees are ineligible to apply for new project funding until the project previously funded by the Trust is completed and the final report submitted to The Seattle Foundation
- Priority is given to projects providing significant naming opportunities, such as buildings and capital improvements; applicant organizations must have reached the point in their planning that they have site control, final construction document and budget, all necessary permits, and have made substantial progress in fundraising prior to being considered for a grant
Criteria
The Trust is interested in funding organizations that have:
- A mission statement that clearly defines the organization’s purpose and reflects its understanding of the communities they serve
- A clear articulation of why it believes what it is doing is important and that it will be effective and produce desired results
- Clearly defined priorities, goals and measurable outcomes
- Experienced and highly qualified staff and volunteer leadership
- A skilled governing board whose knowledge includes management, fundraising and the community served
- An appropriate funding plan, given agency size and developmental stage
- Sound financial management practices
- Support in the community and constituent involvement
- Proven ability to mobilize financial and in-kind support, including volunteers.
Grant requests will not be considered for:
- Tax-supported schools or universities
- Agencies receiving more than 20 percent of their operating income from governmental sources
- Medical or hospital causes
- Development or improvement projects for sports fields
- Salaries or administrative expenses
- Individuals
- Organizations that discriminate on the basis or age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or religious belief
Deadline
The next deadline is March 15, 2013.
Application Instructions
The following steps outline the application process and information we are requesting. Please use this information to help you get started so that you are ready to submit your application. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us at birkenfeld@seattlefoundation.org or call 206-515-2107.
Step One
The first step of the process is to contact a staff member to ensure that your organization is a strong fit for our funding strategies. Please contact birkenfeld@seattlefoundation.org or call (206) 515-2107.
Step Two
The second step is to create an account login on our website. If you don't have one yet, we encourage you to create an account as soon as possible, as it can take up to two business days to validate your login.
Step Three
The third step is to edit or create a profile for your organization on our website. You will need to submit our Profile Request Form, available by going to www.seattlefoundation.org/nonprofits and clicking on the “Profile Access Request Form” link in the right-hand column. (If you are new to our website, you will be taken to a login/registration page first, where you will need to create an account -- see Step Two above.)
Organizations completing a profile are asked to provide: a description of their organization, their mission statement, a brief description of up to three programs or services they offer to address their mission and stated need of the organization; and one of their organization’s recent successes and one of their organization’s current needs.
Step Four
The fourth step is to complete an online application. Once you have created a login and completed your organization’s profile you will be able to begin the online application. Please follow the above link to access the online application.
Please refer to the Application Components for a complete list of narrative questions and required attachments.
Step Five (For grant recipients only)
The fifth step requires completion of a Final Report within one year from the date an organization receives a grant.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us at birkenfeld@seattlefoundation.org or call 206-515-2107.