Nonprofit Facilities Program Eligibility

Eligible Organizations

To be eligible, an owner must be a nonprofit organization, as certified by the IRS under Section 501(c)(3) of the tax code. It must own 100 percent of the project, or that portion that is financed with tax-exempt bonds. The project must be located in Washington State.

Eligible Activities

• Nonprofit organizations can use tax-exempt bonds to finance land, buildings, and equipment that meet the nonprofit's stated 501(c)(3) mission, including:
• Construction and rehabilitation of buildings
• Purchase of land, equipment and buildings
• Refinancing of existing capital debt
• Lease or purchase of equipment
• Development and feasibility study costs, such as architectural, engineering, accounting, and legal costs directly related to the project and its development can also be financed

Examples of Eligible Projects

List of nonprofit facilities that have been financed by the Commission (PDF)

• Performance halls
• Administrative offices
• Day care centers
• Job training sites
• Independent schools
• Athletic facilities
• Research facilities
• Capital equipment projects such as: veterinary equipment, museum exhibits, computer and communication networks and equipment, vehicles, stage sets, etc.

Some NOT Eligible for Tax-Exempt Financing

• Projects at which essentially religious activities occur, such as houses of worship, are generally not eligible. However, projects that are sponsored by religious organizations may be eligible. Please contact us to determine if your project is eligible.
   
• If the project provides both social and health services, please contact us to determine eligibility.  Projects providing health services that can be financed under the Washington Health Care Facilities Authority (WHCFA) are not eligible for Housing Finance Commission bonds.
   
• If you represent a higher education facility and your main campus is permanently located in Washington State you may be eligible to participate in programs of the Washington Higher Education Facilities Authority (WHEFA).

Contact Us

Keri Williams, Nonprofit and Community Outreach Lead
Phone: 206-287-4404 | Email: keri.williams@wshfc.org