Grantmaking
Seattle Foundation’s core grantmaking supports community-led strategies that build community power and sustain the capacity of nonprofits, organizations, coalitions, and leaders to transform systems through advocacy and policy/systems change.
Core grantmaking is not issue specific; rather, we follow the lead of what community identifies as most important and focus on supporting cross cutting strategies we know create the best conditions for policy and systems change.
- Our grantmaking is focused upstream to address root causes and to drive systemic change that advances racial and economic equity.
- We know long-standing, deep, and trusted relationships in the community and across sectors are critical in informing our approach and building toward collective action.
- We know those most impacted by inequities have firsthand knowledge of community conditions and their leadership is critical to developing effective policies and community change strategies. That’s why we primarily invest in BIPOC-led, rooted, and serving organizations.
We distinguish between:
- Core Grantmaking: general operating funds for Blueprint-aligned organizations. Our grantmaking program invests in community-led solutions by partnering deeply with those most impacted by inequitable systems. We focus on building community power and mobilizing for change.
- Strategic Partnerships: grantmaking in collaboration with an external partner with a shared goal
What does equitable and trust-based grantmaking look like for us?
- Representative committees designing and shaping the development of grant programs
- Community leaders serving as grant reviewers for funding decisions
- Honoring community leader expertise and time with honorariums for serving on committees
- Accessible grant application processes, including optional video submissions, use of site visits, and minimizing application questions and requirements
- Accessible learning and evaluation processes including self-defined metrics of progress, use of peer learning sessions and focus groups
- Technical assistance and capacity building built into programs
- Investing in relationships by showing up for community events and hosting convenings as desired
Core Grantmaking
Core Grantmaking supports community-led strategies that build community power and sustain the capacity of nonprofits, organizations, coalitions, and leaders to mobilize and transform systems through advocacy and policy/systems change.
These resources are generally multi-year, general operating support for Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color-led and serving organizations engaging in equitable, policy/systems change strategies in Seattle/King County. We know that general operating support and multi-year funding are critical for organizations to focus on their mission, sustainable infrastructure, address critical needs, work strategically, and innovate effectively. We also understand that organizations must utilize a myriad of strategies to change entrenched systems/policies, all along a continuum that we look to support:
Leadership Development
Leadership Development empowers and strengthens individuals from the communities most impacted, so they have the skills, abilities, and connections to use their voice and inspire others to work towards change.
Capacity Building
Capacity Building strengthens the systems, structures, cultures, skills, connections, resources, and power that organizations and leaders need to support and serve their communities and meet their mission.
Arts, Culture, and Wellness
Arts, Culture, and Wellness center creative expression, cultural identity, and holistic well-being. It fosters healing, resilience, and belonging, while building the connections and collective power necessary to advance systems change through cultural shifts, shared narratives, and community-driven practices.
Community Organizing
Community organizing strengthens communities most impacted to create a resilient base that has strong relationships, networks and are empowered to work together towards common goals.
Movement Building
Movement building empowers organizations, constituents and coalitions most impacted so that there is a strong network infrastructure among base-building organizations for collective power and movement towards systems change.
Community Development
Community Development empowers community leaders to drive equitable economic growth for their neighborhoods, maximizing opportunities for affordability, improved commercial/community services, and community ownership of key local assets
Policy & Advocacy
Policy & Advocacy empowers individuals, organizations, communities, and coalitions to research and develop community-centered policy and systems change proposals and to influence decision-makers towards equitable practices, policies, and solutions.
Public Narrative
Public Narrative shifts the story being told about communities most impacted, informing the general public, changing mindsets, and driving people to action to build momentum towards systems change.
Eligibility
- Impact: We fund solutions led by communities most impacted, with an emphasis on BIPOC-led, serving & rooted organizations given the impact of historic and current systemic racial discrimination.
- Geography: We focus on organization primarily investing in King County and WA State
- Eligibility: Grants can be made to 501(c)3 organizations, government entities, tribal governments and organizations, educational institutions, religious entities, or organizations with a fiscal sponsor.
