Washington County Community Foundation

Who May Apply

The Washington County Community Foundation (previously the Harris Fund for Washington County) was endowed by Ms. Eva Stanley Harris, a Washington County native, in memory of the Harris Family of Johnson City to honor their spirit of philanthropy and legacy of community service. The Fund encourages creative use of area resources and promotes the improvement of the quality of life of Washington County residents.

General Eligibility and Funding Criteria

Additional criteria specific to the Washington County Community Foundation

Preference will be given to collaborative proposals which involve the work and service of at least two or more organizations. In 2023, Washington County Community Foundation seeks to support projects that promote life literacy. For the purposes of this grant cycle, life literacy skills are those that support the economic, cultural, social, and educational wellbeing  of Washington County’s children, youth, and adults. What follows are examples, but not a comprehensive listing, of life-literacy focused projects:

• Access to knowledge of nutritious foods and access to those foods
• Pathways to healthy habits and access to healthcare (preventative)
• Programming which provides stimulating and explorative environments from birth to age 5
• Opportunities to develop reading and literacy skills for education and enjoyment
• Information to successfully manage and operate one’s household
• Tools for sound financial decision-making: budgeting, financial planning, and choices for success
• Skills to develop independence and self-sufficiency
• Activities which encourage citizenship, volunteerism, and leadership to create a sense of belonging

A successful application will propose projects or programs that:

• only serve residents of Washington County
• address currently unmet needs
• do not include programs or services currently provided and funded via general operations budgets
• are the collaborative work and service of at least two or more organizations
• have at least a 20% match of funding requested (cash, in-kind donations of goods and/or services, or a combination of both)
• demonstrate a significant impact on the community via qualitative and quantitative data (measurable deliverables)
• demonstrate a viable sustainability plan for funding future operations beyond the initial two-year grant period