PSE Foundation Competitive Grant Program 2025

Introduction: PSE Foundation is dedicated to Empowering Community Resiliency. This year our Competitive Grant Program focus targets Emergency and Disaster Relief – specifically Preparedness and Response. When the unexpected happens, we want our partners and communities to be ready and able to respond quickly – so we can all recover faster.

We welcome local nonprofit organizations who serve the public within PSE’s service or generation communities (listed below) to apply for a grant this year. Grant requests must demonstrate how funds will be used to help increase emergency disaster preparedness or response for their organization or the community.

Preparedness

  • Preparedness training or outreach for community groups, populations or regions
  • Continuity and disaster planning for community organizations
  • Direct supplies and provisions for the public that increase safety and resiliency such as emergency kits, smoke alarms or other special equipment
  • Necessities to support differently abled individuals for preparedness and crisis

Response

  • Volunteer or staff disaster response training or for life-saving skills training such as first aid, CPR, open water rescue, etc.
  • Mobile emergency command operations and support
  • First-responder equipment or certifications for nonprofit organizations that support fire or police departments, search and rescue, paratransit or other emergency functions

Grant Awards and Applications

Applicants may request a grant award in the amount that supports the project up to $15,000. Grants will be awarded in both full and partial amounts as resources allow.

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Grant Review & Timeline

A team of PSE local employees will review grant applications, learn about your work and ensure your community’s voice is represented throughout our review process.

  • Grant application opens: April 1
  • Grant informational open call: April 8 at 2 p.m. & April 16 at 11:30 a.m
  • Grant support deadline: April 15
  • Grant submittal deadline: April 20
  • Grant awards and communications will be issued the first week of June

Application Detail and Instruction

  • Each grant request will be funded up to $15,000 for a total of $275,000 total funded across our service areas
  • The grant process is competitive. Requests will be evaluated in relation to all proposals received and the availability of resources. All applicants will be contacted regarding the status of their application once the determination is complete.
  • Your organization may be granted a full or partial amount of your request as resources are available
  • The application should not take longer than 15 minutes to complete; be succinct, focused and brief
  • The PSE Foundation application is designed to be largely narrative; please respond to the prompts with your own voice to share the challenges and opportunities to support your work and goals. Download some of our best practices.

Materials and Resources

Download our step-by-step grant application instructions.

Download a word document of the application questions for your drafting. Note: Your application must be submitted through the PSE Foundation grant application portal by the deadline: April 20 at midnight.

We will have an open call for general questions, eligibility, process or other guidance (not focused on specific concepts) on April 8 at 2 p.m. & April 16 at 11:30 a.m. on the hyperlinked Microsoft teams webinar.

Grant Proposal Support

PSE Foundation is pleased to offer grant proposal support for nonprofit organizations that do not have access to a professional grant writer or certified fundraising expert (CFE). This support provides organizations an opportunity to receive consultation on their grant concept, application and project scope with a third-party professional.

To be considered for support, please email psefoundation@pse.com by April 15, with the subject line “grant support”. Please include your contact details so we can reach out with next steps.

Note: PSE grant reviewers are not informed which organizations receive grant proposal support; this support is not considered an advantage in the grant selection process.

Grant Eligibility

In order to be considered for a grant, your organization must meet the following criteria:

  • An active IRS 501(c)3 public charity
  • Community organizations that are fiscally sponsored with a 501(c)3 designated nonprofit may also apply for funding inputting the tax-ID associated with the sponsoring organization and notating within the application you are partnered.
  • Must be located in and serving the public within Puget Sound Energy’s service areas: Whatcom, Island, Skagit, Snohomish, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Pierce, Lewis and Thurston Counties or within PSE’s generation areas: Columbia, Cowlitz, Garfield, Klickitat and Stillwater Counties

Ineligible

PSEF cannot fund:

  • Individual K-12 schools, youth groups, clubs, families or persons
  • Fundraisers or event sponsorships
  • Permanent staff payroll, wages or salaries
  • Organizations that are classified as a religious or political organization unless charitably serving the public without discrimination