Applications for the first Focus Grant cycle of 2024 opened on February 15 and are being accepted until Friday, March 29

VANCOUVER — The Community Foundation for Southwest Washington awarded $308,472 in grants to 8 nonprofits during the second cycle of its annual Focus Grants program. In total, the program’s 2023 Focus Grants provided $876,346 to 24 nonprofits. Applications for the first Focus Grant cycle of 2024 opened on February 15 and are being accepted until Friday, March 29.

The competitive program offers grants to organizations with projects and programs aimed at disrupting the cycle of intergenerational poverty in Clark, Cowlitz or Skamania Counties. Senior program officer Esra Khalil explained that the organization views this work through three distinct yet intersecting impact areas: Educational Attainment, Basic Human Needs and Asset Building. Last year, the local grantmaker directed $370,678 toward Basic Human Needs. Asset Building, a category that promotes wealth creation and workforce development, accounted for $50,000. Another $363,478 supported Educational Attainment efforts. The remaining $92,190 went to other innovative efforts addressing intergenerational poverty.

“We understand that every community in southwest Washington has its own distinct needs, so the best solutions tend to come from the ground up.” Khalil said. “Our community grants committee includes perspectives from every county and a variety of fields, which helps us identify effective solutions.”

Its recent grants included support for Educational Opportunities for Children and Families (EOCF), a leading provider of comprehensive early childhood education and family support programs in southwest Washington. A growing number of children enrolling in its programs have significant medical conditions that teaching staff are not qualified to assess or navigate. To support their basic needs, EOCF is leveraging its grant to hire a Health Assistant. This role will offer one-on-one support and increase student engagement for children with complex medical needs in Clark and Cowlitz Counties so that every student can succeed.

Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) received a grant to expand opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs in Clark, Skamania and Cowlitz Counties. This organization focuses on poverty alleviation in under-resourced communities by promoting entrepreneurship. With its funding, MESO will deliver culturally responsive, one-on-one technical assistance and business development training that empowers small business owners in southwest Washington. In addition, MESO provides access to equitable capital that participants can use to launch or grow their operations and work toward building generational wealth.

Another organization, Empower Family Focused Services, received a grant to further develop its youth mentorship and community education. This community-based organization is focused on raising the next generation of leaders in underserved communities with a particular focus on the East African population. The grant will provide an additional youth mentor and expand preventative mental and behavioral health seminars for its youth that promote academic excellence, high self-esteem and healthy choices.

“Collectively, these investments strike an important balance,” Khalil said. “Our community grants committee aims to simultaneously alleviate immediate needs, build nonprofit capacity and reshape systems to promote upward mobility over the long term.”

A full list of recent grantees and the current application are posted online at cfsww.org/grants. Khalil also encourages grantseekers to review the Grantmaking Framework in advance of submitting an application.

The Community Foundation for Southwest Washington will announce awards from its first Focus Grant cycle in June. Additional questions about the grant process can be emailed to grants@cfsww.org.

About the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington

Established in 1984, the Community Foundation helps residents create a flourishing and just southwest Washington by fostering impactful giving, trusted partnerships and civic engagement. Its team of experts has partnered with local donors and professional advisors to establish more than 380 charitable funds. Collectively, these funds expand opportunities every year by providing grants for nonprofits and scholarships for students. Find out how you can become a part of its giving community at cfsww.org.