These guidelines are designed to help you learn more about the Yakima Valley Community Foundation (YVCF), the kinds of programs and services funded, and what is needed from you in order to review your application. The ultimate goal of YVCF is to assist Yakima Valley communities with their needs.

Adhering to these guidelines will assist you in presenting a compelling case for support from YVCF. Through the Grant Program, unrestricted dollars enable YVCF to address a broad range of issues and seek to be responsive to the ever-changing needs of the Yakima Valley community.

2010 Grant Program The goal of the Grant Program is to enhance the mission of YVCF by supporting effective and efficient organizations in all six areas of Funding Priorities. The Foundation particularly focuses on addressing disparities (unmet needs) by equalizing opportunity and access in Yakima County.

Grant Types The Grant Program provides two main types of funding:

1. Project or Program Support – YVCF funds projects or programs that are designed to contribute significantly to improving the quality of life for residents of Yakima County.

To be eligible for Community Impact Competitive Grant Program funding:

1. The proposed project/program must be conducted in and benefit Yakima County residents.

2. The agency must qualify as tax-exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the IRS code or as a recognized Native American Tribe. If your organization will be using a Fiscal Sponsor, refer to and complete the Fiscal Sponsors Information Form.

3. The agency has operated as a tax-exempt organization for at least one year.

Due to limited resources, YVCF will not consider more than one proposal from the same organization.

What We Fund – Program Areas YVCF program areas are a vision of what strong community life could look like and how philanthropy can play a role in creating it. Grants are made to nonprofits whose work falls into one or more of these elements, with a special attention to unmet needs:

1. Arts & Culture Working to provide broad access to arts and culture
2. Basic Needs Working to meet the basic needs of the community’s residents
3. Education Working to create quality education and learning opportunities for all ages
4. Environment & Animals Working to protect and steward the natural environment
5. Health & Wellness Working to promote health and wellness
6. Neighborhoods & Communities Working to foster strong and connected neighborhoods and communities

1. Operating support
2. Capital expenditures for real estate or bricks and mortar
3. Medical, academic or scientific research
4. Debt retirement/reduction
5. Direct or grassroots political or lobbying activities
6. Endowments
7. Individuals
8. Organizations that discriminate on the basis of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or religious belief
9. Sectarian worship, instruction, or proselytizing
10. Fundraising events, solicitations, annual campaign appeals or feasibility projects
11. Production of books, brochures, films or videos
12. Conferences, workshops or seminars and/or travel thereto
13. The start-up of new nonprofit organizations that will unnecessarily duplicate existing programs or services, or begin services that can be more effectively provided by other organizations.
14. Purchases or activities that occur prior to grant decisions
15. Other grant-making organizations
16. Individual school classrooms and individual schools within a school district

Innovation:
Funding preference is given to programs that demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of underlying causes and a commitment to effective prevention. YVCF believes this approach to encourage innovation will strengthen Yakima Valley communities.

Collaboration: The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. YVCF gives funding preference to programs that combine their actions with others for better outcomes than they could create independently.

Diversity:
YVCF values the rich diversity of the people of Yakima County. YVCF relies on that diversity to create effective approaches to building vibrant, sustainable communities; is committed to recognizing the positive impact of diversity and promoting equity and inclusion; supports organizations whose missions and goals support these values; recruits and retains a Board of Directors and professional staff who embrace the diversity of Yakima County, providing our community with expertise and sensitivity from the broadest possible perspective.

Community Capacity:
Making opportunities available for individuals to improve their physical, mental and social well- being creates a vibrant future for them, their families and their communities. YVCF gives funding preference to programs that build capacity, community assets and invest in human potential.

Yakima Valley Community Foundation has an obligation to the community to ensure that grant funds are spent responsibly. YVCF requires the following commitment from grant recipients:

1. Recipients will complete a grant compliance agreement form (provided upon award of grant).

2. An Interim and Final Report explaining how funds were used.

3. Any funds not used for the purpose requested must be returned to YVCF.

4. YVCF requests public acknowledgment of its grantmaking in publications, press releases, brochures, videotapes, and other publicity or public relations materials and presentations that result from the use of its funds.