Bainbridge Community Foundation (Bainbridge Island, WA)Click map for a full size active view.
Our mission is to encourage, inspire and provide meaningful ways for people to improve and sustain our community.
How we began
In 2001, a group of caring and concerned Bainbridge Island leaders came together to create a lasting community endowment, aiming to improve the quality of life in our community. Initially known as the Bainbridge Island Community Endowment, the Bainbridge Community Foundation helps people with philanthropic interests support the growing needs of nonprofit organizations that serve Bainbridge Island residents.
As of 12/31/2014, BCF has a balance sheet of over $10.8 million comprised of 30 Donor Advised Funds, 2 Designated Funds, 5 Scholarship Funds, 2 Area of Interest Funds, 3 Nonprofit Agency Funds and two BCF Funds for long term reserves and our endowment.
Our goal is to raise funds through significant gifts from donors and to make grants from these funds to support the long-term needs of Bainbridge Island.
BCF recognizes that one goal most organizations share is to perform their work more efficiently and effectively. This capacity building grant cycle is part of a program to assess if focused grant making can help achieve that goal. Improvements in the areas of administration, governance, planning, and fundraising are most desired. Therefore, this grant cycle will be focused on building an organization’s internal capacity in these areas in order to strengthen and support our local nonprofit sector.
Capacity building is distinguishable from direct program services, general operating support or capital expenses in that they typically seek to increase the knowledge, skill level and/or efficiency of a nonprofit board and/or staff. Capacity building services are typically provided by an individual outside of the organization that has the expertise and the ability to focus on one aspect of an organization’s management.
These include but are not limited to:
• Board / Staff training
• Strategic planning
• Analysis of programs, technology and fundraising
• Program evaluation
Please note that this grant making program is not for hiring or adding staff (or staff hours) to increase your organization's capacity. It does not fund travel or capital expenses.That type of request is better suited to BCF's annual Community Grants Cycle.
Applications are accepted from 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations located in Washington State serving the greater Bainbridge Island community (Those that work, live, or visit Bainbridge Island).
Grant
Yes
No
| Cycle Name | Applications Open | Applications Close | Notification by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CB | October 8 | November 5 | December 21 |
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Bainbridge Community Foundation’s Community Grants Cycle (CGC) supports local nonprofits whose work makes Bainbridge Island a stronger, healthier, and more connected community.
Grants are funded through a combination of BCF discretionary funds, donor-advised funds, and community donations during the BainbridgeGives campaign. While BCF works hard to fund as many approved projects as possible, community giving plays an important role. We encourage applicants to help share and promote their projects.
2025 CGC Highlights/Impact
• 81 grants awarded totaling $849,180
• More than $6.1 million granted to local nonprofits since 2005
Key CGC Phases
• Applications Open: February 11 at noon – March 11 (5:00 PM)
• Financial Review & Completeness Check: March 18 – May 7
• Site Visits: March 19 – April 16 (friendly, conversational meetings with CGC volunteers)
• BainbridgeGives Campaign: May 13 – June 12
What BCF Looks For
• Clear community benefit and unmet need
• Simple, meaningful outcomes
• Organizational readiness and good stewardship
• Equity, access, and affordability
We do not expect perfection. We value clarity, honesty, and alignment.
Who Can Apply
• 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Washington State
• Serves Bainbridge Island (live, work or visit B.I.)
• Financially sound organization
• Grant period: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027
• Requests between $1,000 and $14,000
Organizations may submit one primary application and submit one collaborative project (with letters of support).
We Do Not Fund
• Individuals, private foundations, or for-profit businesses
• Endowments, loans, vehicles, memberships
• Re-granting or pass-through funds
• Religious activities (must be secular)
• Commercial film or movie productions (documentary or educational media projects with clear community benefit may be considered).
Grant Types
• Program or Project
• Capital (equipment or facility needs)
• Direct (support to provide access to programs--reduced or no cost, and support for underserved populations)
• General Operating Support
BCF follows national best-practice guidelines for fair and thoughtful grantmaking. When reviewing applications, we focus on the following:
• Your application is complete and clearly explains your request
• The project or work is well thought out and likely to make a positive difference in our community
• The proposal benefits many people or helps meet the needs of underserved populations
• The organization shows effectiveness, collaboration, creativity, and readiness to carry out the work
• It’s clear who will benefit and how many people will be served
• You explain what change you hope to see and how you’ll know it made a difference
Outcomes don’t need to be complicated. Simple measures like participation, access, satisfaction, or skills gained are great.
2026 CGC Timeline
• Feb 11 – Mar 11: Application window
• Mar 19 – Apr 16: Site visits (expanded to 4 weeks - these are friendly, conversational meetings with CGC volunteers)
• May 13 – Jun 12: BainbridgeGives Campaign - fundraising for approved applications
• June 16: Final grant decisions by BCF Board of Trustees
• June 17–18: Applicants notified via email / Common Grant Application
• June 22–July 7: Internal BCF Grant Administration
• June 25: BCF CGC Celebration
• July 8 – July 24: Grant agreements signed
• July 9 onward: Grant checks mailed
Final Reports
• 2026 CGC grant final report due August 31, 2027
Final reports are required. Late reports may affect future eligibility.
Note that final reports for grants received during the 2024 Community Grants Cycle or 2024 Capacity Building Grants need to be submitted prior applying for 2026 support. Final reports for 2025 CGC are due 8/31/2026.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through Common Grant Application – www.commongrantapplication.com.
Accessibility & Help
If you need assistance or have limited internet access, contact BCF by March 1:
206-842-0433 or grants@bainbridgecf.org
Learn More!
CGC Zoom Info Session on Wednesday, February 18 at 11:00 AM
Nonprofits new to the process or have any questions, are encouraged to attend!
One click: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88034157341?pwd=2pzUwaaaw9FvzfcYirlRZZNUGjown8.1
Meeting ID: 880 3415 7341
Passcode: 860837
Any questions? Please contact Debbie Kuffel, BCF Program & Finance Officer at debbie@bainbridgecf.org
BCF is accredited by the Community Foundations National Standards Board (CFNSB). We are confirmed in compliance with National Standards for U.S. Council on Foundations, a distinction that conveys a rigorous commitment to transparency, excellence, stewardship and leadership in philanthropy.
Grant
Yes
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| Cycle Name | Applications Open | Applications Close | Notification by | Funding by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CGC | February 11 | March 11 | June 30 | July 25 |
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Don't have an account? Sign up to open an account and start an application.
Bainbridge Community Foundation’s Community Response Fund provides limited financial resources to nonprofit organizations for urgent unanticipated health and human service needs on Bainbridge Island, especially during times of economic hardship or human or natural disaster.
The Community Response Fund is an area-of-interest fund established by the Bainbridge Community Foundation in 2009. The fund began as an idea from a group of nonprofit staff and community leaders. The purpose of the fund is to assist local non-profit human service agencies that experience an unexpected temporary funding need that impacts their ability to provide critical community services. As such, it provides a safety net for the agencies that provide a safety net for our greater Bainbridge Island, WA community.
The grants committee will review applications. Checks will be sent out as quickly as possible.
Please notify debbie@bainbridgecf.org when you've completed the Community Response Fund Application so there is no delay in reviewing your request.
Thank you.
Requests are accepted from 501(C)(3) nonprofit organizations that have previously received funding at least once through either the Community Grants Cycle or Capacity Building Grants Cycle since 2023.
Organization MUST be based in Washington State and serve Bainbridge Island / Kitsap County. Contact BCF at debbie@bainbridgecf.org if you have any questions prior to making an application.
Grant
Yes
No
| Cycle Name | Applications Open | Applications Close | Notification by | Funding by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous | Continuous | Continuous | Continuous | Continuous |
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Don't have an account? Sign up to open an account and start an application.