Through the Thriving Communities grants process, Philanthropy Northwest is centering and engaging communities who've disproportionately been affected by environmental and health inequities.
Technical Assistance Available
Technical assistance providers are able to help you develop your project and/or complete your application.
- University of Washington Center for Environmental Health Equity
- Northwest Environmental Justice Center
Community Partners
Community partners are bringing local, lived experiences to shape the grantmaking process.
Alaska
- Alaska Conservation Foundation
- Denali Commission
- Rasmuson Foundation
Idaho
- Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health
Oregon
- Nonprofit Association of Oregon
- Northwest Health Foundation
Washington
- Inatai Foundation
- The Russell Family Foundation
Tribes
- Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
- Native Americans in Philanthropy
More Ways Community Is Involved
We've engaged an advisory group and task force to help us co-design the program, and are currently recruiting peer reviewers from and within communities to participate in the grants evaluation.
Advisory Group
Role: Helped guide and ensure the grant strategy, approach, application and evaluation criteria support principles of simplicity, inclusivity and accessibility.
Membership: Included seven philanthropic partners, our collaborative pass-through funding partners, and EPA Region 10 project officer. See list below.
Task Force
Role: Developed the evaluation criteria for scoring applications, designed work plan templates, and established metrics for applicant project outcomes.
Membership: Included regional environmental justice leaders, community members from Justice40 areas, and a subset of advisory group members. See list below.
Peer Review Group
Role: Scores applications using the evaluation criteria.
Membership: We are currently recruiting peer reviewers from and within communities.
Individuals cannot be part of an organization applying for a Thriving Communities grant.
Advisory Group Members
- Steven Cole-Schwartz, Inatai Foundation
- Anna Dalton, Alaska Conservation Foundation
- Rose David, Native Americans in Philanthropy
- Jocelyn Fenton, Denali Commission
- Fabiola Greenawalt, The Russell Family Foundation
- Jessa Rae Growing Thunder, Native Americans in Philanthropy
- Becky Jones, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
- Jen Matheson, Northwest Health Foundation
- Tasha Pineda, Rasmuson Foundation
- Amber Schultz, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
- Kathleen Simpson, The Russell Family Foundation
- Robert Thompson, Inatai Foundation
- Martha Scott Tomlinson, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Kendra Witt-Doyle, Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health
- Jeanette Ziegler, Native Americans in Philanthropy
Task Force Members
- Susan Balbas, Na'ah Illahee Fund
- Steven Coles, Oregon Rural Action
- Rose David, Native Americans in Philanthropy
- Se-ah-dom Edmo, Seeding Justice
- Jessa Rae Growing Thunder, Native Americans in Philanthropy
- Becky Jones, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
- Beatrice Kiyaguri, ADEYEP
- Jackie Leung, Micronesian Islander Community
- Kristin Ostrom, Oregon Rural Action
- Deleana Other Bull, Oregon Just Transition Alliance
- Irene Ruiz, Idaho Organization of Resource Councils
- Anahma Shannon, Kawerak
Interested in Becoming a Peer Reviewer?
If you are not applying for a Thriving Communities grant, but would like to be involved, Philanthropy Northwest is looking for peer reviewers to evaluate the applications. You do not need a background in environmental issues to participate as a peer reviewer. Participants of the peer review group will receive an honorarium.
Please note if you are a staff member, board member, volunteer or consultant with an organization or group applying for a grant, you are not eligible to serve on the peer review group due to a conflict of interest.
Share This Opportunity
We need everyone to play a role in outreach, as we strive to reach communities that historically haven’t had access to funding. Use this toolkit to amplify this grant opportunity with prospective applicants and other partners.
Staff to Support You
Your program officer is here to help. They are from and within communities, bringing an understanding of local issues, challenges and opportunities. If you have questions or would like to discuss your project plans, please reach out directly to your program officer:
For Alaska or Oregon, contact Jacquie Braden.
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Time zone: Alaska
Phone: 907-318-2923
For Idaho or Washington, contact Jason Pretty Boy.
Location: Boise, Idaho
Time zone: Mountain
Phone: 206-558-5136
For tribes in any area, contact Melissa Koepp.
Location: Rainier, Washington
Time zone: Pacific
Phone: 206-558-5367
Philanthropy Northwest is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in any of our programs or activities.
In accordance with federal and state laws, and to ensure that we continue to uphold these values, Philanthropy Northwest has designated a civil rights coordinator. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our non-discrimination policies, or if you need to file a complaint, please contact: Lyn Hunter at CivilRightsCoordinator@philanthropynw.org or mail Lyn Hunter, Thriving Communities, Philanthropy Northwest, 600 University St., Suite 1725, Seattle, WA 98101.