Apply for a Grant
Together we can transform our communities.
Innovia Foundation works closely with nonprofit organizations and others throughout the region to identify and respond to a wide range of community issues and opportunities. This might be as complex as collaborating with community leaders on a long-range plan for neighborhood preservation, or as basic as funding a program to provide shoes for children from low-income families.
In all cases, Innovia Foundation looks to fund solutions that will create measurable, positive change in our region.
Eligibility Requirements
Awards from Innovia Foundation’s competitive grant programs are determined in partnership with local volunteers from throughout the foundation’s service area. This locally-based advisory process ensures that grant opportunities address the changing needs of our communities.
- In order to be eligible, applicants must be a public charity with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; a federally recognized tribe; or a public entity such as a school district, municipality, or unincorporated group or association. In certain cases, grants can be awarded to non-501(c)(3) organizations for charitable purposes.
- In all cases, the applicant organization/program must have a clear charitable purpose.
- Applicants cannot have any delinquent reports for previous grants awarded through all Innovia Foundation’s grant programs.
- Some grant programs have specific restrictions. Be sure to read grant guidelines carefully to see if any restrictions apply.
- Innovia Foundation competitive grants are awarded to organizations providing services within the 20-county region served by the Foundation. (Eastern Washington Counties: Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Spokane, Adams, Whitman, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin. North Idaho Counties: Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Benewah, Latah, Nez Perce, Lewis, Clearwater, Shoshone and Idaho.)
- Please note that Innovia Foundation has multiple grant programs. Applying to/receiving grant funding from one Innovia Foundation grant program does not preclude your organization from to applying to any other Innovia Foundation grant program.
If you have any questions about any of Innovia Foundation’s grant programs or eligibility, please contact the grants team at [email protected].
Grant Programs
LaunchNW galvanizes entire communities to ensure that every child finds belonging and travels their best journey from birth to career attainment. The initiative was first implemented in Spokane County. In this second phase, rural communities in the ten eastern Washington counties served by Innovia Foundation can now apply for funding and technical support for LaunchNW in their own communities. By galvanizing local leaders and partnering with every sector of the community, LaunchNW will generate sustainable, measurable change in our region for generations to come.
Interested communities should first review the rural checklist. Grants of $30,000 will provide partial support for a community-based LaunchNW Coordinator in the selected communities for two years. This position will facilitate the LaunchNW work and scholarship fundraising in their community.
Innovia Foundation launched the Community Heart & Soul® Program to help rural communities throughout its 20-county service area BUILD COMMUNITY through a resident-driven process and TAKE ACTION on what matters most to its residents. Hundreds of communities across the country have implemented the program and experienced outcomes such as:
- Increased participation in local community-decision making
- Increased volunteerism
- Increased investment in community-supported programs and activities
- Increased economic development and downtown revitalization
- Community endowment funds
Grants of $30,000 will support community-based project coordinators and actions in the selected communities for up to two years. Communities must provide a $10,000 local match over the two-year grant period. Technical assistance, including program training and assigned certified coaches, will also be provided through the grant. The technical assistance is valued at $50,000. Click here for the full grant guidelines.
Learn more at www.innovia.org/communityheartsoul/.
The Columbia County Children’s Fund provides support to organizations within Columbia County. Applications must address one of the following program areas: Educational enrichment and special needs programs, with preference given to elementary school-aged children. Guidance, counseling and therapy to children and their families. Medical and dental services and/or supplies (glasses, hearing aids, braces) for disadvantaged children. Grants awards are typically less than $4,000. Click here for the 2025 grant guidelines.
You may also view a sample application here.
Grant Program Timeline:
Application Cycle Open: Monday, May 5, 2025
Application Cycle Close: Friday, July 18, 2025
Awards Announced: September 22, 2025
Final Reports Due: September 30, 2026
The Community Grant Program is comprised of more than 90 funds established by donors who have given Innovia Foundation the flexibility to make funding decisions that accommodate changing needs and capitalize on timely and compelling opportunities in our 20-county region. This program has one cycle per year and organizations are eligible to submit one application per cycle. The maximum award amount is $15,000, with most grants in the range of $2,500 – $15,000. Click here for the full grant guidelines.
2025 FUNDING THEME: YOUTH ENGAGEMENT
- In partnership with local community partners, Innovia annually identifies a Community Grants funding theme. While we are committed to funding projects across all our impact areas, when possible, we will prioritize proposals that align with the annual theme. This year’s theme is Youth Engagement, with an aim to increase opportunities for young people to participate in community events and activities that build relationships and decrease isolation.
GRANT PROGRAM TIMELINE
Application Cycle Opens: December 6, 2024
Early Bird Deadline: January 10, 2025
Application Cycle Closes: February 7, 2025
Awards Announced: May 20, 2025
Grant Period: June 1, 2025 – May 30, 2026
Final Reports Due June 15, 2026
Questions? Contact the grants team at [email protected] or 509-624-2606.
The Equinox Foundation is partnering with Innovia Foundation to provide a grant program for the benefit of the communities in Bonner and Boundary counties of North Idaho. This family foundation was founded on the values of wisdom, integrity, and environmental stewardship. This program will consider applications from nonprofit organizations addressing a variety of program areas, including:
- Education and youth development
- Arts and culture
- Economic opportunity
- Health and wellbeing
- Quality of life
Click here for the 2025 Grant Guidelines.
Click here for a sample document of questions featured on this year’s application.
Grant amounts are typically between $5,000 and $30,000 and are provided for a one-year period.
Application Dates: Applications for this program will be accepted February 18, 2025 through April 11, 2025 with grant awards announced in July. Grants are awarded for a one-year period from August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026.
FAQs
There is generally only 1 grant program open at a time at Innovia Foundation. Organizations may only apply once to each grant program for which they are eligible.
If you have additional questions, please contact [email protected].
Activities typically not eligible for Innovia Foundation grant funding include:
- Academic or scientific research
- Debt retirement, operating deficits or after-the-fact support
- Direct or grassroots lobbying
- Annual fund appeals and contributions to endowments
- Re-granting programs
- Litigious activities
In considering applications for funding from faith-based organizations we will apply the following criteria:
- The program or service to be funded must be open to all members of the community (not just members of the faith community applying for funding).
- In the course of providing programs or services, faith-based organizations cannot require clients to participate in or adopt any specific religious practice or belief.
Organizations cannot apply for grants from Innovia Foundation’s donor-advised funds.
Requests from locally based organizations are given preference over organizations whose center of operations and/or governance is located outside of our 20-county region. Should you choose to submit an application, you must specifically address how the requested funding will benefit Innovia Foundation service areas and how you will ensure that Innovia Foundation funds will not be used outside our service area.