Financial Education Grants Program

The Financial Education Grants Program is administered by the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), an agency committed to promoting access to safe and reliable financial services while fostering financial literacy throughout the state. DFI operates a range of consumer protection and education programs, including those targeting students, educators, and underserved populations. As part of its broader mission, DFI offers competitive grant funding to organizations dedicated to improving financial education in Washington. For the 2026–2027 cycle, the Financial Education Grants aim to support initiatives that increase financial knowledge and capability among Washington residents. The program is particularly focused on expanding access to financial literacy programs and enhancing the capacity of educators and organizations delivering financial education. Eligible activities likely include curriculum development, educator training, direct services for target populations, and community outreach, though full details will be available with the grant manual and application release. The application period for the 2026–2027 cycle officially opens on January 5, 2026, when both the Grant Manual and Application Form will be made available online. Interested applicants must complete and submit all required application materials no later than February 27, 2026. Only complete proposals received by the stated deadline will be reviewed. The evaluation of proposals will occur in March 2026, and applicants will be notified of their status via email in April 2026. Successful applicants will proceed to the grant agreement phase, which takes place between May and June 2026. Agreements must be signed and returned before any grant-funded work can commence. Importantly, DFI stipulates that no work may begin prior to the full execution of the grant agreement, which cannot occur before July 1, 2026. The funded programs will operate from July 2026 through June 2027. Final reports and invoices must be submitted by June 30, 2027, marking the completion of the grant cycle. Applicants are advised that funding is competitive; not all submissions will receive awards. DFI encourages timely and complete submissions to ensure eligibility. Additionally, while the grant announcement and application details will be posted publicly, applicants should direct any questions or concerns to the DFI through the official contact number provided. This structured process helps maintain transparency and ensures that funding is allocated to projects that align closely with the program’s goals. The program does not currently indicate any requirement for matching funds, nor does it specify eligibility restrictions beyond being located in or serving Washington State. Full eligibility and program requirements will be clarified once the grant manual is released. Organizations interested in applying should plan ahead and monitor the DFI’s official grants webpage for the release of application documents on January 5, 2026.