Welcome to the 2025 Ignite Kirkland Grant Application

A program of the Kirkland Community Foundation

We’re excited to invite you to apply for the second year of Ignite Kirkland, a trust-based, community-powered grant program from the Kirkland Community Foundation (KCF).

Ignite Kirkland is designed to raise awareness of the needs in our community and to introduce generous, civic-minded people to local causes they care about—so they can make an impact. It’s more than a grant; it’s a platform for connection, storytelling, and shared investment in a stronger, more resilient Kirkland. APPLY HERE.

Who Can Apply

This opportunity is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that serve people who live, work, or play in Kirkland.

How It Works

Approved projects will be featured in the Ignite Kirkland online public grant catalog, promoted widely during a two-week giving campaign. Community members will be invited to learn about your work and contribute directly to the projects that move them.

As part of this initiative:

  • Each selected project will participate in a crowdsourced fundraising campaign, hosted in a shared online catalog giving donors a comprehensive view to the issues that our Kirkland Community is facing.
  • Participating organizations are expected to promote their project and the overall Ignite Kirkland campaign to their networks and audiences
  • Grant funds from KCF will be allocated to incentivize public giving and to fill the needs gaps following the campaign.  

Matching funds—made possible in part by generous support from Amazon and other local businesses, and caring individuals—will be available during portions of the public campaign, encouraging donors to amplify their impact.

Key Dates & Details

  • One application per organization
  • Grant requests: $1,000 – $5,000
  • Applications due: 7pm PST, September 15, 2025
  • Public Campaign: November 10 - 21, 2025
  • Grant Announcements: Week of December 8, 2025

Why Apply?

  • A simple, trust-based application and light-touch reporting process that respects your time
  • Increased visibility for your organization through a widely promoted, community-wide campaign
  • A chance to highlight the issues your organization is addressing and connect with new supporters who care about your cause
  • An opportunity to raise additional funds through public donations and matching incentives, including contributions from KCF and generous support from Amazon

Ignite Kirkland is a partnership—between the Foundation, local nonprofits, and the community we all serve. If you have questions, please reach out to our Grants Team.

Let’s ignite something meaningful—together.

Neighbors helping Neighbors

The application for this year's Ignite Kirkland community grant program is now closed, and we're all excited for the official campaign to begin in November. Numerous local and regional nonprofit organizations are seeking funding for 37 projects to benefit Kirkland. Get a sneak peak of them right here. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay in-the-know.

The 2025 Ignite Kirkland community grant catalog is live. See all the nonprofit projects, and support your favorites!

2025 Funding
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These Ignite Kirkland projects cover a wide range of vital community services, from enhancing public spaces and supporting youth programs to ensuring our seniors stay engaged and connected. Some examples of recent grants include:

  • Youth Sports Equipment – helping young athletes get the gear they need to participate in team sports.
    Community Garden Expansion – providing resources to expand urban gardening spaces that bring our neighbors together.
  • Arts and Culture Programs for Everyone – enriching the lives of our residents with creative outlets and social engagement through a variety of different performing art opportunities
  • Safety & Wellness Initiatives - creating opportunities for skills for women, youth, social service providers and public safety officers.
  • And more…

We need your help! With so much need, your support is crucial in making these projects a reality. Each grant, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, can transform lives and strengthen our community.

Through December 3 (Giving Tuesday), requests will be showcased for a with the hopes of gaining public support. This is a unique opportunity for you to explore and support a variety of organizations and the impactful work they do right here in Kirkland. 100% of your donation will go directly to support the projects you choose. Together, we can harness the power of community to drive meaningful change.

Thanks to the generous support of Amazon and other generous donors, KCF will contribute funds at the end of the campaign to fill the gaps and top off requests as funds are available.

Join us in this exciting journey to uplift nonprofits that serve the Kirkland community and make a lasting difference. Together, we can ignite a brighter future for Kirkland!

Thank you for your support!

Join our mailing list to stay informed about this campaign.

Amazon

Community Grant Sponsor

Amazon is generously continuing as a sponsor of Ignite Kirkland this year. We're grateful for the company's support of this initiative and all the participating nonprofit organizations.

Frequently asked questions

Ignite Kirkland is a community-powered giving campaign hosted by the Kirkland Community Foundation. Each fall, local nonprofit projects are featured so residents can explore, give, and see their impact right here in Kirkland.

Ignite Kirkland is managed by the Kirkland Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity that connects people, ideas, and resources to strengthen the community.

Projects fall into five focus areas: Arts & Culture, Parks & Environment, Health & Housing, Learning & Innovation, and Community Connection.

Give directly through the online catalog. Browse projects, select the ones that inspire you, and donate securely. You can support one or multiple projects in a single checkout.

Yes. The Kirkland Community Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. You’ll automatically receive a tax receipt.

Credit or debit cards are accepted online. Gifts from Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), employer matches, or mailed checks are also welcome—see details below. Our mailing address is: 603 4th Ave, Suite 500, Kirkland WA 98033.

We’ll help you direct your gift. Contact us by phone or email, and we’ll apply your pledge to your chosen projects and provide simple instructions for completing your grant.

Yes. Choose the “anonymous” option at checkout, and your name will not appear publicly.

Employer matches amplify your impact. If your company’s match arrives before funds are distributed, it will be added to your chosen project. Matches received later will support a related Area of Impact Fund.

All gifts must be received by 9 PM on November 24 to count toward the Ignite Kirkland 2025 campaign.

Boost Days make community giving go further. When nonprofits rally their supporters, extra funds from the Foundation and partners are added to increase impact.

Amazon, Columbia Bank, and Puget Sound Energy generously sponsor Boost Days to celebrate teamwork and the nonprofits that keep Kirkland thriving.

A special community boost takes place on Philanthropy Day. Check back for details and ways to participate.

Boosts are applied by noon the next business day. You’ll see updates in the campaign catalog shortly after.

Projects are reviewed and approved by the Foundation. Each participating organization submits a proposal outlining community benefit, feasibility, and alignment with the Foundation’s Areas of Impact.

Funding comes from multiple sources:

  • Public donations made through the Ignite Kirkland catalog (open through November 24)
  • Boost Day contributions from partners like Amazon, Columbia Bank, and PSE
  • Additional support from the Ignite Kirkland Fund managed by the Foundation

Distributions occur after the campaign concludes, typically in December.

Every participating organization reports back. Nonprofits confirm that funds are used as intended and share outcomes by the end of the following calendar year.

Results are shared publicly. Campaign totals, stories, and outcomes appear on our website, in newsletters, and through local media.

100 percent of your gift stays in Kirkland. Once the campaign closes, funds are sent directly to the organizations managing the projects you supported. 

Please reach out to us with your question!

603 4th Ave, Suite 500
Kirkland WA 98033

(425) 505-3348

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KCF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
EIN 46-4931717

Website support. generously provided by Sitetherapy.net

© Copyright 2025

Spark Something Good - with the Kirkland Community Foundation

At the Kirkland Community Foundation, we serve as conveners, catalysts, and collaborators - and we know that new ideas need fuel to catch spark. That’s why we’ve created this space to hear from you.

Whether you’re ready to move forward with a community idea that shows the love in Kirkland, are seeking a small Spark Grant to bring something to life, or feel inspired to support a future project - you’re in the right place.

Let us know how you'd like to get involved, and someone from our team will follow up soon. Together, we can spark something good.
Why are you filling out this form? Check as many as apply.*

Community Project Letter of Interest

Kirkland Community Foundation has long served as the hub for successful projects inititated by members of our community, including the Save Our Salmon mural and the Waverly Beach Picnic Shelter. Have an idea for a project? Please complete this form as an initial step in the process, and we'll be in touch!

The story behind your idea —

Share what inspired you and what you hope to accomplish. Please include:

  • A description of your project and why it’s important
  • Who will benefit and how it will make a difference
  • Any partners, volunteers, or organizations involved
  • How this project aligns with KCF’s mission and areas of impact
  • Whether there are any time-sensitive elements
  • Let us know what type of support you’re seeking: visibility, fundraising assistance, strategic guidance, or fiscal sponsorship. If requesting fundraising or fiscal sponsorship, please include an estimated budget or cost of the project.

    Workshop Registration

    Select a workshop*

    Thank you for your interest in serving on our board of directors.

    We are seeking passionate and dedicated individuals who share a strong commitment to the Kirkland community to join our board of directors. Board members play a vital role in shaping the organization's direction and ensuring its long-term success. Please complete the following form to express your interest in serving on our board. We are dedicated to the commitment that our board should reflect the diversity of our community.

    Have you served on the board of a nonprofit organization before?*

    Please reach out to us with any inquiries or comments. We'd love to hear from you.