Washington Women's Foundation Awards $475,000 in Pooled Grants to Five Local Nonprofits

A record number of nonprofits submitted letters of inquiry for foundation grants this year - a 63 percent increase over 2008 levels. Grant winners were selected through a rigorous research and review process and voted on by the entire membership of Washington Women's Foundation.

Pooled grants of $87,500 or $100,000 were awarded in each of the foundation's five giving areas - arts and culture, education, environment, health and human services. Here's a closer look at the award-winning organizations and how they intend to use the grant dollars: