Equipment for Organizations Grant

4Culture, a public agency based in King County, Washington, supports the cultural sector through various grant programs. One of their key offerings is the Equipment for Organizations grant, which provides funding for arts, heritage, historic preservation, and science organizations to purchase and install equipment considered as fixed assets. The program’s objectives are to enhance organizational capacity and public benefit through investments in equipment such as museum shelving, stage lights, kilns, microscopes, and computers. The grant aims to support organizations in delivering arts, heritage, preservation, and science programs that benefit King County residents and visitors. The Equipment for Organizations grant offers awards between $1,000 and $15,000. Applicants may request funding for a range of equipment needs, including machinery, computer hardware, furniture, archival equipment, lab equipment, security cameras, and more, provided each item is a fixed asset expected to be used for at least ten years. Eligible expenses also include installation fees (as long as they are under 10% of the total request) and essential small items that support the functionality of the larger equipment. Projects focused on general maintenance, consumables, facility purchases, or ongoing staff salaries are not eligible for funding under this program. Only organizations based in King County, with a primary focus in the fields of arts, heritage, historic preservation, or science and technology, may apply. Applicants must have a two-year track record and an active board, and must be nonprofits, public corporations, Tribal governments, or organizations with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. Individuals, K-12 schools, and organizations with open, unclaimed 4Culture equipment contracts are not eligible. Applications are evaluated through a competitive process by a peer panel. The panel reviews applications based on quality, feasibility, project impact and public benefit, advancing equity, and economic impact. Proposals should clearly explain the equipment request, its significance, and its alignment with the organization’s mission and public programming. Special consideration may be given to organizations advancing racial equity, those based outside Seattle, or located in King County Communities of Opportunity. Application requirements include a project description, implementation and maintenance plan, project impact and public benefit narrative, details on advancing equity, and a description of the economic impact. Supporting documents such as a program or event list from the past year, a board list, updated demographic and financial information (including recent IRS 990 forms), and a detailed budget are mandatory. The grant application deadline is July 9, 2025, at 5:00 pm PDT. Applications must be submitted online at apply.4culture.org. Funds cannot be spent on equipment purchased before September 25, 2025. Applicants may attend online or in-person workshops, or office hours, and are encouraged to request feedback from program managers before June 25, 2025. 4Culture provides support and translation services for applicants facing language or accessibility barriers. After submission, applications are reviewed by a panel, and final decisions are approved by the 4Culture Advisory Committee and Board in late September 2025. Contracting begins in late October, and payments are made on a reimbursement basis for eligible expenses incurred after September 25, 2025. Funded organizations must provide a W-9, proof of liability insurance naming 4Culture as additionally insured, and sign a contract. Contact information for program managers in arts, heritage, preservation, and science is provided for applicants needing assistance. The grant cycle includes opportunities for Q&A, workshops, and application review before the deadline. Contact for the Arts: Melissa Newbill, melissa.newbill@4culture.org, 206-263-1603. Heritage: Natasha Varner, Ph.D., natasha.varner@4culture.org, 206-848-0008. Preservation: Emily P. Lawsin, emily.lawsin@4culture.org, 206-477-3110. Science: Jennifer Pritchard, jennifer.pritchard@4culture.org, 206-263-8305.

Attend workshops or office hours, request application review before June 25, prepare all supporting documents in advance, and contact Program Managers for questions.