General FAQs

What type of capital needs requests will Norman Archibald Charitable Foundation consider?
  • Yes. Requests for capital needs are of interest and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The Foundation has a history of funding capital expenditure needs of an organization that directly service constituents. Examples of capital expenditures can include purchasing a new freezer for a food bank, a  van for an elderly care agency, rebuilding a rest room, purchasing a piece of equipment, or purchasing hardware (laptops) or software.  The accounting definition is helpful, and generally items with a useful life of less than one year are not considered capital expenditures. We would generally look to the accounting definition for whether a particular software item is capital.
  • Please note the requesting organization must have a minimum of 70% capital or project raised before Norman Archibald Charitable Foundation will grant.
  • The Foundation does not provide grants to reimburse previously purchased capital goods.
What is the average Norman Archibald Charitable Foundation grant size awarded for regular grants?
  • Grant amounts are usually $1,500 – $7,500.
Will Norman Archibald Charitable Foundation consider a request for the operating costs or programs of our organizations?
  • We do not fund for general operating costs or ongoing program support.
Our organization receives funding from a variety of sources including United Way, as well as the government. Are we still eligible for funding?
  • Yes. We look for organizations that maximize their service potential through leverage and partnerships. Having multiple means of support is not a disadvantage or disqualification for funding consideration.
Does the Foundation award multi-year grants?
  • No, grants are one-time project-specific awards.
  • Yes. We also encourage arts or youth arts related organization in King and Pierce counties to contact ArtsFund, as Norman Archibald Charitable Foundation provides support for their grant making efforts in these areas.
Does Norman Archibald Charitable Foundation fund school foundations?
  • Unfortunately, we do not fund school foundations. PTA, or PTSAs.
When are grant status reports due?
  • Grant status reports are currently not required. Any reporting on a previously awarded grant can be conveyed on a new application. 
How often can an organization apply?
  • If an organization is provided funding, then they can apply two years after the grant was awarded.
  • Organizations with no current grant funding can reapply any time.
Can an organization submit non-audited financial statements as part of the application?
  • Yes, an organization can submit non-audited documents for the current granting year, however, they must submit the previous year’s audited financial statements. If you do not have an audited statement, submit a cover letter explaining why you do not have audited statements with budget vs. actuals from the two previous years

For questions regarding grant cycles or application support, please email nacf@seattlefoundation.org or Brittany LaBossier Shamsher at b.labossier@seattlefoundation.org.