2026 Request for Proposal (RFP) - Transformational Grant Opportunities
Background
Just over a year ago, we shared our plans to sunset the Foundation. As the first step in that journey, we were honored to award nearly $14 million to 195 of our long-time grantees in 2025. These grants marked the conclusion of our regular grantmaking. Staying true to our belief in the power of general operating support, 90% of those grants were unrestricted.
As we move into the next phase of our sunset, we are excited to focus our grantmaking on bold, forward-looking ideas. We are pleased to announce a new Request for Proposals (RFP) to support organizations in moving beyond day-to-day operations and toward transformative growth and impact. We recognize the immense challenges facing the nonprofit sector, and we are continually inspired by the ways you still build resilience, strengthen sustainability, and expand on your vital work.
Please note that this RFP is by invitation only.
Overview & Criteria
This opportunity is intended to support ambitious efforts that will have a transformative effect in communities. We will be considering capital and capacity-building campaigns; initiatives to scale or replicate programs; endowment growth; geographic expansion; partnerships or mergers; or other imaginative visions for your organization’s future. We will not be considering requests for day-to-day operations.
Grant requests must be a minimum of $1 million, and we anticipate that most awards will range between $1 million and $5 million.
We expect this to be a highly competitive process. The strongest proposals will reflect thoughtful planning; strong board, staff, and community support; and the potential to significantly advance an organization’s long-term goals and impact.
Deadline/Timeline
How to apply:
All requests must be made through our e-grant system as described above. No paper applications will be accepted.
Additional Questions
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need assistance with the e-grant system:
Alexia Casiano (they/them), Grants and Operations Manager
[email protected] | (206) 652-8783
Just over a year ago, we shared our plans to sunset the Foundation. As the first step in that journey, we were honored to award nearly $14 million to 195 of our long-time grantees in 2025. These grants marked the conclusion of our regular grantmaking. Staying true to our belief in the power of general operating support, 90% of those grants were unrestricted.
As we move into the next phase of our sunset, we are excited to focus our grantmaking on bold, forward-looking ideas. We are pleased to announce a new Request for Proposals (RFP) to support organizations in moving beyond day-to-day operations and toward transformative growth and impact. We recognize the immense challenges facing the nonprofit sector, and we are continually inspired by the ways you still build resilience, strengthen sustainability, and expand on your vital work.
Please note that this RFP is by invitation only.
Overview & Criteria
This opportunity is intended to support ambitious efforts that will have a transformative effect in communities. We will be considering capital and capacity-building campaigns; initiatives to scale or replicate programs; endowment growth; geographic expansion; partnerships or mergers; or other imaginative visions for your organization’s future. We will not be considering requests for day-to-day operations.
Grant requests must be a minimum of $1 million, and we anticipate that most awards will range between $1 million and $5 million.
We expect this to be a highly competitive process. The strongest proposals will reflect thoughtful planning; strong board, staff, and community support; and the potential to significantly advance an organization’s long-term goals and impact.
Deadline/Timeline
How to apply:
- The first step is to submit an LOI through our e-grant system. All LOIs must be submitted by Friday, March 13th at 5:00pm Pacific Time. The application access code is 19472026 (enter this in the box under "Apply" from your e-grant system dashboard).
- Trustees will consider all LOIs, and a select group of applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal for board review.
- If you have submitted an LOI, you will be notified by the end of April as to whether or not your organization will be invited to submit a full Application. For those invited to apply, we anticipate the deadline for the full Application will be around June 2026.
- Final funding decisions will be made by the end of this year.
All requests must be made through our e-grant system as described above. No paper applications will be accepted.
Additional Questions
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need assistance with the e-grant system:
Alexia Casiano (they/them), Grants and Operations Manager
[email protected] | (206) 652-8783