The Washington County Community Foundation (WCCF) accepts grant applications annually, with a submission deadline of January 15th. Organizations can expect to receive final notifications regarding their applications by March 1st. The amount of funding available each year is determined by the contributions received from the community during the previous year, and applicants must submit their requests through one of the available application forms, either as a fillable PDF or a condensed PDF, which can be completed and delivered by email, mail, or in person.

To be eligible, applicants must either have official 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, be a government entity requesting funds for public purposes, or be a church or synagogue offering social services to the Washington County community. Importantly, the WCCF does not provide funding for annual appeals, regular operational expenses, or for recurring events or programs. However, it will consider supporting first-year start-up costs for new programs that address unmet community needs in innovative ways. Requests for funding related to scholarships, political activities, or legislative influence are also excluded from consideration.

The Foundation emphasizes its preference for funding projects that will offer long-term benefits to the community. Applications that demonstrate a portion of the project's funds have already been secured will be viewed more favorably. For larger projects, the WCCF typically supports final-phase funding, provided there is significant evidence of other financial support already in place. The Foundation does not fund the initial stages of large projects without clear evidence of additional committed resources.

Grant recipients must use the funds as originally designated. If a change in the use of funds becomes necessary, a written request for modification must be submitted to and approved by the Foundation before any adjustments are made. Any funds not used within one year of the grant allocation must be returned, unless otherwise agreed upon at the time of the grant award. This ensures that the Foundation’s grants are used effectively and in alignment with their intended purpose.