We use an online application system for all of our applications.  This site is designed to talk you through our guidelines and criteria and lead you to the access for our online system.  Please be patient and read through the site to ensure that you understand our process before starting an online application.

If you are unsure if your project will be of interest to Spirit Mountain Community Fund, please review our "Frequently Asked Questions" page.

There are five steps to determining your organization's eligibility for a Spirit Mountain Community Fund Grant.

The Spirit Mountain Community Fund provides grants to non-governmental charitable organizations (IRS recognized 501(c)3's) in the following 11 counties. In some cases we will fund non-profits whose headquarters are located adjacent to our 11 counties, but we will only fund projects that serve citizens in our 11 county service area. (Government agencies located only in Polk and Yamhill counties can apply for grants because they are located near The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Reservation.)

Does your project fit into one of our designated project categories? There are seven categories listed below. We take a fairly broad definition of these categories, but if you're not sure if your project will qualify, please feel free to call or e-mail for more information or clarification.

Grant Categories:

Is your organization a 501(c)3 recognized by the IRS? Our online application links directly with the IRS database.  If your organization is not current, or is inactive, you will not be able to continue. Government agencies located only in Polk and Yamhill counties can apply for grants because they are located near The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Reservation.

How much funding do you need to support your project? Spirit Mountain Community Fund currently has two levels of program funding.

• Our small grant program is a "fast track" process. Small grants are $10,000 or less, and only organizations with an annual operating budget under $250,000 are eligible to apply.
• Our large grant program funds projects that do not meet the small grant criteria.

• Please see our Grants page for the types of programs and levels of funding we have supported over the last two years.

Please look over this list of activities that we do not fund. If your project does not fall into one of these categories, you've met our initial eligibility criteria.

• Events - fundraisers and sponsorships
• Projects or organizations that propagandize or influence elections
• Indirect or overhead costs except those expenses that specifically and essentially relate to the grant project. These should be relatively small in relation to the total request.
• Direct grants, scholarships or loans to individuals
• Projects within sectarian or religious organizations that primarily serve their own members or adherents.  Click here to review our Religious Policy.
• Replacement funding for activities or materials previously supported by federal, state or local public funds
• Grants to organizations that will be passing funds on to organizations that are not tax-exempt
• Institutions that in policy or practice unfairly discriminate against race, ethnic, origin, sex, creed or religion
• Grants requiring multi-year funding
• Sporting complexes
• Economic development or community revitalization, unless the project clearly fits into one of the above listed categories of giving

Please click here to view our requirements on Board of Director diversity, education, religion and capital campaign requests. 

If your project meets all of our eligibility requirements, proceed to the grant program page for which you are applying for.  For large grants, please click here.  For small grants, please click here.

If you are still unsure if your project meets eligibility requirements, please contact us.  For large grants, please contact Jilene Mercier.  For small grants, please contact Kluane Baer.