Click here for a quick print PDF of 2026 Grant Guidelines.
2026 Grant Guidelines
Sherwood Trust seeks to invest competitive grants in qualified nonprofit and community initiatives that support our vision and values and are an organization’s most pressing priority. Grant seekers are strongly encouraged to discuss their grant proposal prior to submitting.
Sherwood Trust is a private foundation founded in 1991 to continue the legacy of Donald and Virginia Sherwood’s efforts to make the Walla Walla Valley a better place. To date, Sherwood Trust has invested more than $40 million to strengthen nonprofits and improving communities in Walla Walla and Columbia counties in Washington and Milton-Freewater, Oregon.
Sherwood Trust’s Vision – Everyone in the Walla Walla Valley has a sense of belonging and contributes to a thriving region. Sherwood Trust serves as a catalyst for building capacity, creating a cohesive, vibrant community.
Sherwood Trust’s Core Values – Collaboration. Empathy. Equity. Excellence. Integrity. Sustainability.
For more information about Sherwood Trust and grant opportunities, please email Brian Hunt at brian@sherwoodtrust.org or call 509.529.2791.
2026 Core Grants
Sherwood Trust’s Core competitive grants are guided by our Eligibility Requirements, Giving Principles and Core Values, included in the following pages. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review grant guidelines and discuss their grant proposal with Sherwood Trust in advance of submitting a request. Email brian@sherwoodtrust.org or call 509-529-2791 to review your plans to apply.
Sherwood Trust seeks to invest initiatives that support our mission and values and are an organization’s most important priority. These generally fall within three major categories:
Capacity grants for nonprofit organizations can include expanding service or operations, or funding for specific innovations or projects that support resiliency and strengthen an organization’s ability to fulfill its ongoing mission
Community grants for qualifying neighborhood and community-based projects that generally include a public agency
Capital grants for improvements to facilities or physical property
Grant Eligibility Requirements
Applicant organizations must be registered tax-exempt organizations or fiscally sponsored by tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a public agency.
Applications must be submitted by or with an organization serving communities in Walla Walla and Columbia counties in Washington and Milton-Freewater, Oregon.
Applications should be consistent with Sherwood Trust’s vision and values.We ask that organizations or collaborative projects that have previously received a grant from Sherwood Trust allow two intervening years from receipt of funds before applying for another Core Grant. For example, an organization or collaborative project that received funding in 2025 will be eligible to apply again in 2028.
Sherwood Trust Giving Principles
Private philanthropy is a strategic activity. We consider our grantmaking to be a long-term investment and we strive to ensure that grants support achievable, measurable results.
An organization’s operational model and its execution is critical to achieving its mission. Sherwood Trust grants favor effective organizations that demonstrate strong leadership, competent management, strategic innovation and a record of achieving tangible results.
Sherwood Trust invests in organizations whose work directly supports our vision that everyone here has a sense of belonging and can contribute to our thriving region. We seek to support transformative investments that support local people working together toward stronger, more equitable communities.
Sherwood Trust seeks applicants with diverse funding sources so that Sherwood Trust is not providing the majority of the request. Sherwood Trust prefers to fund final grant dollars.
Sherwood Trust Core Values
Collaboration – support for collaboration between organizations on a common project that address a community need
Empathy – support for initiatives that promote mutual understanding, learning and respectful community engagement
Equity – support for initiatives that promote and strengthen inclusive, representative engagement in our region, particularly those that address inequities for underserved populations
Excellence – support for nonprofits with a track record of sound operational management and development of internal capacities that enhance an organization’s resiliency
Integrity – support for operations that demonstrate transparency and unity in the fulfillment of their mission
Sustainability – support for strong, resilient organizations with a track record of good governance and accomplishment
Additional Considerations
Core grants are awarded in a highly competitive process. Grant funding is restricted specifically for purposes outlined in the grant application. Sherwood Trust reserves the right to rescind grant funds not allocated specifically per the grant application and/or grant agreement.
Competitive grant proposals seeking funds for scholarships, event sponsorship, door prizes, raffles or to benefit an individual will not be accepted.
2026 Core Grant Application Timeline
Sherwood Trust’s competitive Core grants include three steps: a Letter of Interest, Application and Site Visit. Trustees determine which Letters of Interest move forward to the Application phase. Application evaluation includes a site visit to the applying organization. Funding is awarded in June, pending signed grant agreements.
All submission materials are through our online grant portal – please contact us if you need account access for Letter of Interest and Application. Manual submissions will not be considered.
Feb. 4, 2026 – Letter of Interest (LOI) final deadline. We strongly encourage organizations to contact Sherwood Trust to discuss their proposal in advance.
Feb. 20, 2026 – Organizations will be notified if LOI is approved for application process.
March 4, 2026 – Deadline for Core Grant Application. Early submissions are welcome.
March 20, 2026 – Sherwood Trust will notify applicants if their application moves forward. Request for a site visit and/or supporting materials will be made as applicable.
April 2026 – Site visits and due diligence conducted as appropriate.
June 2026 – Core Grant recipients announced.