OVERVIEW: The Inatai Foundation focuses on racial and Indigenous justice and civic engagement for progressive change in the state of Washington.
IP TAKE: Since it started making grants in 2019, the Inatai Foundation, formerly the Group Health Community Foundation, has “built relationships in every county of Washington and granted more than $220 million to organizations and leaders rooted in their communities driving racial justice and equity forward.” Created from the sale of the sale of Group Health Cooperative to Kaiser Permanente, Inatai has deep pockets, but most of its current giving is focused on existing grantees. This is, however, an approachable funder. If your work falls in the area of racial justice or progressive social change in Washington, reach out and sign up for this funder’s newsletter to keep up with the latest.
PROFILE: The Inatai Foundation, formerly the Group Health Community Foundation, was established with proceeds from the sale of Group Health Cooperative to Kaiser Permanente and began making grants in 2019. Based in Seattle, the foundation’s name is translated as “across” in “Chinuk Wawa, an Indigenous language from Washington state with a long history of connecting people from different backgrounds.” The foundation’s mission is to “transform the balance of power to ensure equity and racial justice across Washington and beyond.” Grantmaking “supports leaders and organizations rooted in racially diverse communities throughout Washington working to build power and advance racial justice and equity” and targets community organizations that are “of, by, and for their people.”
Grants for Racial Justice, Indigenous Rights, Civic Engagement and Democracy
The Inatai Foundation’s grantmaking is conducted through the following funding programs:
Community Power Grants grants offer three years of core support to organizations “serving people and working in places that are often overlooked and underfunded by traditional philanthropy.” This program recently paused its open application program in order to focus on “current grantees and funding renewals for organizations whose grants are expiring.” Proposals are accepted by invitation only.
Past grantees include Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services, African Community Housing and Development, Downtown Pasco Development Authority and the Lopez Island Family Resource Center.
Systems Change Grants also offer three years of core support but focus on “organizations building community power through advocacy, political action, organizing, narrative change, and other community-centered work.” The program has supported over 70 nonprofits with grants of up to $750,000 since its inception in 2020. This program is not currently accepting applications.
Past grantees include the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, the Confederated Lower Chinook Tribes and Bands and the Freedom Project, which “works alongside the community to dismantle the institution of mass incarceration and heal its traumatic effects” in King, Snohomish, Pierce and Spokane Counties.
Grants for Campaigns, Litigation Issues and Policy support “political, policy, and advocacy work that changes conditions affecting communities, and that lays the groundwork for longer-term change.” These one-time grants prioritize “active and forthcoming community-led, issue-based campaigns that can shape policy for a more just and equitable Washington.” Grantseekers may start the application process by completing the program’s interest form, to which the foundation will respond with information about next steps. This program accepts applications “throughout the year.”
This program has supported campaigns including Justice Not Jails, which advocated against a Spokane County ballot measure to expand the county jail system, and Neighbors United for Progress, which countered a measure to shut down the sole public library in Columbia County. See the program page for additional examples.
Grantmaking for Sovereign Nations support “the racial justice and equity work of tribes and sovereign nations across Washington state.” This program does not have its own webpage on the foundation’s site, but tribal nations may email the program for additional information at grants@inatai.org.
Transformative Capacity Building Grants provide “additional resources to current Inatai grant recipients for specific uses related to strengthening organizational capacity.” This program offers grants for learning and leadership training, operational stability, “change capital,” and consulting services.
Emerging Opportunities Grants support “specific power-building efforts that grantees and community leaders have told us will advance their long-term capabilities and goals.” Grants are only available to existing grantees at this time and are awarded in amounts ranging from $75,000 to $500,000 for one or two years.
Beyond Washington is the foundation’s grantmaking program to support activities related to “elections, policies, and litigation outside our state have an impact on communities within our state.” Grants prioritize “multicultural and culturally specific legal advocacy, political organizing, voter engagement, and voter protection work.” Organizations who feel they may be match for this program should email the foundation at strategy@inatai.org for additional information.
Sponsorships provide funding to “community organizations working for racial justice and equity as they host celebrations, leadership retreats, strategic planning sessions, and other events.” Grants typically range from $2,500 to $5,000 but have been as large as $10,000 in a few cases. Detailed guidelines are provided on the program page. Applications should be submitted at a minimum of 60 days prior to an event via the program’s online application form.
Important Grant Details:
Inatai’s grants range from about $5,000 to $1 million.
With the exception of its Beyond Washington grants, funding serves organizations and initiatives in the state of Washington.
Giving serves social justice causes broadly with a strong emphasis on BIPOC causes and BIPOC-led groups.
At this writing, the foundation has paused some of its application programs to focus on current grantees but welcomes inquiries via email. See individual program pages for contact details and sign up for the organization’s newsletter here.
For information about past grantmaking, see the foundation’s grantee directory.
Submit general inquiries to Inatai via email at hello@inatai.org or telephone at 866-389-5532.
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