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Updated July 5, 2008

Note: See new deadlines for grant requests (below).

In addition to providing substantial financial support to Kiwanis-sponsored youth in the Pacific Northwest, the Foundation also provides support to other appropriate projects as funds are available.

Grants Awarded by the Foundation

The Foundation typically provides several thousand dollars of grants each year.  To see a list of grants awarded by the Foundation, click here.

Criteria and Considerations

Every grant request is evaluated on a case by case basis.  Some of the criteria and considerations the board may look at include:

• “Fit”:  Every grant request will be evaluated based on how well it fits with the purposes of the Foundation (see below); grant requests that do not fall within the purposes of the Foundation cannot receive financial support, however worthy they may be.
• Local Kiwanis Support: It is expected that outside groups or individuals will first apply for funds from their local Kiwanis club before applying for funds from the Foundation.  The inclusion of an endorsement letter from the local Kiwanis club.
• Other Sources of Funds:  The board tends to be more favourable to projects in which a significant portion of the total costs are being raised through other fundraising efforts.
• Size of Request:  Availability of Foundation funds is crucial, and the board will consider the size of the request relative to the amount of funds available.
• Past Foundation Support: While not a criteria, the board may be more receptive to requests endorsed by clubs that have financially supported the Foundation.
• Recognition Opportunities: Opportunities to have recognition of the Foundation as a donor is not a criteria, but the board may take this into consideration.
• Use of Funds:  While both capital and operating expenses are potentially eligible for Foundation grants, the Board tends not to support projects where the grants support pay for salaried staff.

Applications

Applications should include the following:

• Application form: Application forms are available here.  You can print the grant request form and fill it out by hand or you can fill out the information directly on the computer and print it. 
• Endorsement letter:  The endorsement letter should indicate be from a Kiwanis club.  The letter should not be from a division, although you can mention whether the project has the support of other Kiwanis clubs. 
• Any other materials that you consider helpful for the board’s decision.  Because copies need to be made for all 22 members, please limit other materials to two pages.

Applications can be faxed to the Foundation at (503) 644-3600 or mailed to:

Pacific Northwest Kiwanis Foundation
P.O. Box 747
Beaverton OR  97075
USA

Deadlines

Members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors are spread across much of the Pacific Northwest; because of this, Board meetings are held just three to four times a year and it may not be possible to get an immediate response to a grant request.  The following schedule clarifies when submissions need to be received for board consideration:

Alignment with the Purposes of the Foundation

It is important that grant requests align with the purpose of the foundation.  For example, it is important that the main focus of the project is clearly within the Pacific Northwest.  Providing aid to a national organization or to benefit people living on other continents is commendable, but falls outside the mandate  of the Foundation.

The Pacific Northwest Kiwanis Foundation is a non-profit charitable corporation founded in 1985 and endorsed by the Pacific Northwest District of Kiwanis International:

·    To promote the sponsored youth groups of the Pacific Northwest Kiwanis District including Circle K, Key Clubs, Builders Clubs and K Kids

·    To assist needy persons – particularly youth

·    To assist worthy youth to attain vocational excellence

·    To aid the handicapped and disadvantaged

Specific emphasis is directed to promotion and support of sponsored youth groups particularly through scholarships and leadership training.

The purpose is more formally set out in the Articles of Incorporation:

EXCERPT FROM ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

PACIFIC NORTHWEST KIWANIS FOUNDATION

FOURTH:

(a)        The purposes for which said corporation is formed are to assist needy persons, particularly young people; to assist worthy youth in attaining vocational excellence, and to aid handicapped persons in regaining happy, useful lives through the expending of funds directly for such purposes or by the furnishing of funds to other organizations organized for charitable, scientific research, or educational purposes, or the prevention of cruelty to children, all within the purview of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and the Regulations thereunder;

(b)        The specific purposes are to promote the Sponsored Youth Groups of Pacific Northwest District of Kiwanis International and make other philanthropic gestures; and

(c)        The purpose is to engage in any lawful activity for which non-profit and tax exempt corporations may be organized.

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