Washington Business and Commerce Grants

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations in Washington state to implement projects that improve access to culturally appropriate dental care, promote healthy food access, and encourage water consumption while reducing sugary beverage intake, particularly for underserved communities.

This grant provides funding for arts projects and programs that enhance the cultural landscape of Issaquah, supporting local artists and organizations while promoting inclusive and diverse arts experiences for the community.

The City of Gig Harbor is offering its 2025 Lodging Tax Grants, aimed at supporting tourism-related operations or marketing within the city. This program is funded by a percentage of hotel/motel taxes collected from lodging establishments within city limits, which the Department of Revenue then distributes back to the City of Gig Harbor. These funds are specifically designated for tourism-related capital facilities, non-event operations, and event marketing and operations, aligning with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), Chapter 67.28, which details the use and reporting of tourism funds. The primary beneficiaries of this grant funding are non-profit organizations and municipalities that can demonstrate the ability to achieve specific tourism-related goals. The overarching impact goal is to stimulate economic activity through tourism. This includes increasing hotel/lodging occupancy within Gig Harbor by creating overnight stays and boosting the number of visitors traveling from more than 50 miles away, or from other states or countries. The program's strategic priority is to enhance Gig Harbor's appeal as a tourist destination, thereby generating economic benefits for the local community. The grant program focuses on activities and expenditures designed to increase tourism. This encompasses a broad range of efforts, including advertising, publicizing, and distributing information to attract and welcome tourists, developing strategies to expand tourism, operating tourism promotion agencies, and funding the marketing or operation of special events and festivals. All applications must include estimated outcomes, demonstrating how the proposed activities will lead to an increase in overnight stays and visitors from outside the 50-mile radius or from other states/countries. Expected outcomes and measurable results are central to this grant. Applicants are required to provide additional information in their applications to ensure that data on increased overnight stays and visitors is collected. The City of Gig Harbor Lodging Tax Advisory Committee evaluates proposals based on factors such as the estimated amount of lodging tax funds available, the thoroughness and completeness of the proposal, the percentage of the request relative to promotion budgets and overall revenues, projected economic impact (especially overnight stays), the applicant's financial stability, and their history of tourism promotion success. This rigorous evaluation process reflects a theory of change where strategic investment in tourism promotion directly translates to quantifiable economic growth and increased visitor engagement.

The Washington State Department of Commerce (WSDC) is offering its 2025 Religious and Nonprofit Security Grant, designed to enhance the physical security of nonprofit organizations across all counties in Washington. This grant aligns with the WSDC's mission to support and protect vulnerable community institutions by providing funding for renovations and other security investments. The program's strategic priority is to safeguard organizations that are at risk of physical attacks, threats, or damages due to their mission, ideology, or beliefs, thereby fostering a more secure environment for these groups to operate. The target beneficiaries for this grant include a broad range of nonprofit organizations, with a specific emphasis on religious nonprofits, "by-and-for" organizations, and cultural community centers. The impact goal is to mitigate security risks and improve the safety of these sites. Successful applicants will demonstrate a clear need for security enhancements based on past incidents or credible threats. This proactive approach aims to prevent future attacks and ensure the continuity of services provided by these vital community organizations. The grant prioritizes investments in physical security enhancements, construction or renovation projects, target hardening, preparedness planning, training, and exercises. Applications must explicitly detail how the funding will be utilized for these purposes. A key focus is on tangible improvements that directly address identified security vulnerabilities. Organizations must either own the property or have written permission from the owner to implement the proposed security upgrades, ensuring the long-term impact and sustainability of the investments. The expected outcomes of the grant program include a measurable reduction in security incidents and an increased sense of safety among the beneficiary organizations. By funding critical security measures, the WSDC aims to empower these nonprofits to continue their valuable work without undue fear of harm. The grant's theory of change posits that by investing in physical security and preparedness, organizations will be better equipped to withstand and deter threats, leading to a more resilient and secure nonprofit sector within Washington State.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is offering the 2024 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) to advance pollinator conservation. The core mission of this fund is to protect, conserve, and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators. This aligns with NFWF’s broader Monarch Butterfly Business Plan, indicating a strategic, long-term commitment to these species. The fund aims to support both technical assistance for private working lands and direct habitat improvement projects. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include monarch butterflies and other at-risk native insect pollinator species, such as the rusty patched bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Karner blue butterfly, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, and Mitchell’s satyr. The program also indirectly benefits private landowners, farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners, especially those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by providing resources and incentives for conservation practices on their lands. The overall impact goal is to significantly enhance the quality, quantity, and connectivity of pollinator habitat across eligible states. The Pollinator Fund has two main categories of focus. The first is Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands, which prioritizes increasing voluntary engagement of private landowners in conservation practices through staff resources and targeted outreach for Farm Bill programs like CSP and EQIP. The second category, Habitat Improvement, focuses on on-the-ground restoration and enhancement of pollinator habitat, emphasizing regionally appropriate milkweed and diverse native nectar plants, as well as increasing the supply of native seeds and seedlings. These priorities align with NFWF's strategic goal of fostering sustainable ecosystems through direct habitat restoration and incentivizing private land stewardship. Expected outcomes and measurable results are central to this program. All proposals must demonstrate how they will directly and measurably contribute to the Pollinator Fund's goals, specifically by providing the number of acres restored or enhanced. A minimum of 100 acres in California or 500 acres in all other eligible states must be restored or enhanced. Historically, successful projects have averaged 2,120 acres, indicating a substantial scale for expected impact. The program's theory of change posits that by providing financial assistance and technical support, and by focusing on key geographical areas and species, NFWF can effectively reverse declines in monarch and other native pollinator populations, thereby contributing to broader ecosystem health and biodiversity. The total funding of up to $5.1 million in 2024, contributed by a diverse group of partners, underscores the collaborative and impactful nature of this strategic initiative.

UPDATED NOTICE - PLEASE READ: April 6, 2023 EDA is excited to announce the launch of its new grants management platform: the Economic Development Grants Experience (EDGE). EDGE was developed to streamline the application and grants management process by implementing a single platform with increased transparency, improved user experience, higher data quality, and more efficiency throughout the entire grant lifecycle. As of April 6th, 2023, applications can no longer be submitted on Grants.gov, and will ONLY be accepted through EDGE. To apply in EDGE, please go to: sfgrants.eda.gov. More information on how to apply is provided in the full NOFO. PARTNERSHIP PLANNING program instructions: Please note that applicants will be invited to submit applications through EDGE for the Partnership Planning program. For more information, please reach out to your EDA point of contact. Program Description: EDA makes planning and local technical assistance investments to support economic development, foster job creation, and attract private investment in economically distressed areas of the United States. Under the Planning program, EDA makes Partnership Planning, Short-Term Planning, and State Planning awards to eligible recipients to create and implement regional economic development plans designed to build capacity and guide the economic prosperity and resiliency of an area or region. More specifically, EDA makes Partnership Planning investments to designated planning organizations (i.e., District Organizations) serving EDA-designated Economic Development Districts and to Indian Tribes to facilitate the development, implementation, revision, or replacement of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS), which articulate and prioritize the strategic economic goals of recipients respective regions. EDA also makes Short-Term and State Planning awards for economic development planning activities that guide the eventual creation and retention of high-quality jobs, particularly for the unemployed and underemployed in the Nations most economically distressed regions. Under the Local Technical Assistance program, EDA makes awards to strengthen the capacity of local or State organizations, institutions of higher education, and other eligible entities to undertake and promote effective economic development programs through projects such as feasibility studies, impact analyses, disaster resiliency plans, and project planning. **Please note: While the published Notice of Funding Opportunity (available under "Related Documents") states that the ED900A form and the SF424B form are both required for a complete application, these forms are no longer required and have therefore been removed from the package template.

The Women's Foundation of Genesee Valley (WFGV) is offering an Immersive Grant Writing Program designed to empower women of color in the fundraising sector. This initiative directly aligns with the foundation's mission to support and enhance the talents of women of color, recognizing a historical disparity where organizations led by people of color are often underfunded and mistrusted with grant funds. By building capacity in grant writing, WFGV aims to address systemic inequities and foster greater financial stability for these organizations. The target beneficiaries for this program are non-profit leaders of color (women) within Monroe County, NY. While not exclusively for Executive Directors, participants' career paths should be focused on fundraising, and each organization is permitted to bring one additional person to the program. The impact goals are to strengthen the fundraising capabilities of these organizations, thereby increasing their access to critical funding and enabling them to expand their reach and effectiveness within the community. The program's primary focus is on capacity building in grant writing, providing the necessary tools and knowledge for women of color to excel in this area. This emphasis reflects WFGV's strategic priority to invest in leadership development and provide practical skills that lead to tangible improvements for non-profit organizations. The underlying theory of change posits that by equipping women of color with advanced grant writing skills, WFGV can directly contribute to greater equity in philanthropic funding and empower these leaders to make a more significant difference in their communities. Expected outcomes include each participating organization being awarded $1,000 towards their first grant-finding activity upon completion of the program. The program itself spans six months and includes ten sessions, offered both in-person and online, indicating a commitment to flexible and accessible learning. Measurable results will likely involve tracking the number of grant applications submitted, the success rate of these applications, and the overall increase in funding secured by participant organizations following the program. This structured approach ensures that the program's effectiveness can be monitored and evaluated against its stated goals.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local organizations in Oregon and Washington to create and expand workforce programs for individuals referred from shelters, helping those who have experienced homelessness gain employment and essential skills.

The Washington State Department of Ecology's Air Quality VW Electric Vehicle Charging Level 2: Charge Where You Are Funding aims to expand Level 2 EV charging access throughout Washington State. This initiative aligns with the state's broader mission to reduce emissions, particularly from diesel engines, and to fully mitigate excess NOx emissions from Volkswagen vehicles. The program supports the state's clean air and climate goals, including those outlined in the Washington Clean Air Act, Washington GHG emission reduction limits (70.235 RCW), and the Washington Climate Commitment Act, demonstrating a clear strategic priority on environmental protection and sustainable transportation. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are diverse, encompassing businesses, non-profit organizations, investor-owned and municipal utilities, multi-unit/multi-family residential buildings, and various state, local, and tribal government entities in Washington State. The program seeks to impact these groups by increasing the availability of EV charging infrastructure where drivers typically spend one to four hours, thereby encouraging electric vehicle adoption. The impact goals are directly tied to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality across the state, contributing to a healthier environment for all. The program's priorities are multifaceted, focusing on accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles, equipment, and vessels, promoting electrification technologies in public transportation fleets, and accelerating fleet turnover to cleaner vehicles. Other key priorities include achieving substantial additional emission reductions beyond what would naturally occur, ensuring cost-effectiveness in project implementation, and leveraging additional matching funds to maximize the program's reach and impact. These priorities reflect a strategic theory of change that by investing in accessible charging infrastructure and supporting electrification, the state can drive a significant shift towards cleaner transportation and achieve its environmental objectives. Expected outcomes and measurable results include a reduction in emissions from diesel engines, full mitigation of total, lifetime excess NOx emissions from specific Volkswagen vehicles, and a quantifiable increase in Level 2 EV charging access across the state. The program anticipates projects being completed within one year of grant execution. With a total of $3.52 million available, and projects eligible for up to $10,000 per plug at varying percentages based on project category, the grant aims to catalyze a significant expansion of charging infrastructure, contributing directly to the state’s objectives under the Washington State Clean Energy Fund and the Washington Clean Transportation and Healthy Air Goal.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that assist small businesses, particularly those with five or fewer employees, focusing on underserved communities across Washington.

The City of Kirkland’s Tourism Program is offering the 2025 Event Grant Funding Program, aiming to attract visitors from 50 miles or more to Kirkland. This initiative is designed to bolster Kirkland's tourism environment and sustain the Tourism Program budget through revenues generated from overnight stays. Funds will be allocated for the marketing and operations of special events and festivals specifically crafted to draw tourists to the city, with distribution occurring on a reimbursement basis. The Kirkland Tourism Development Committee (TDC) has earmarked at least $60,000 for 2025, continuing a program that has awarded over $700,000 to tourism events and programs in the past. While new events are looked upon supportively, events with a proven track record of attracting visitors to Kirkland will also receive serious consideration. This strategy ensures both innovation and proven success are factored into the funding decisions. The target beneficiaries are organizations planning special events and festivals in Kirkland that can attract tourists. The impact goal is to increase the number of visitors traveling for business or pleasure who stay overnight in Kirkland, thereby enhancing the local tourism economy. The program prioritizes events that demonstrate a clear potential to draw visitors from outside a 50-mile radius. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in tourism-related activities and revenue in Kirkland. Applicants are required to provide estimates of how the received funds will lead to an increase in the number of visitors. Post-award, organizations are legislatively mandated to report on their success in attracting these visitors. All funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis, contingent upon the submission of a Tourism Funding Expenditure Report Worksheet and a Tourism Funding Reimbursement Form, ensuring accountability and measurable results for the program.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for youth sports and activity scholarships, as well as equipment purchases, to organizations serving low to middle-income families in Spokane, particularly those from historically marginalized communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial and technical support to small businesses and microenterprises in Vancouver, focusing on those owned by individuals with low to moderate incomes.

The City of Gig Harbor is offering 2025 Lodging Tax Grants to foster tourism and economic activity within its limits. This program is funded by a percentage of hotel/motel taxes collected from lodging establishments, with funds distributed by the Department of Revenue back to the City. These grants are specifically allocated for tourism-related capital facilities, non-event operations, and event marketing and operations, aligning with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), Chapter 67.28, which details the use and reporting of tourism funds. The target beneficiaries for this program are non-profit organizations and municipalities that can demonstrate the ability to achieve specific tourism-related goals. The primary impact goals are to increase hotel/lodging occupancy within the City of Gig Harbor by generating overnight stays and to increase the number of visitors traveling more than 50 miles away to the city. All applicants are required to provide estimates on how their proposed activities will lead to these increases, including attracting visitors from other states or countries. The program's priorities and focuses revolve around maximizing tourism promotion and its economic impact. "Tourism" is defined as economic activity from tourists, encompassing sales of lodging, meals, tours, gifts, or souvenirs. "Tourism promotion" includes activities like advertising, publicizing, developing strategies to expand tourism, and operating special events and festivals designed to attract tourists. "Tourism-related facilities" are properties with a usable life of three or more years that support tourism, performing arts, or accommodate tourist activities. The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee considers various factors when making recommendations, including the estimated available funds, proposal thoroughness, financial stability of the applicant, and projected economic impact, particularly on overnight stays. Expected outcomes and measurable results are central to the grant program. Applicants must explicitly detail how their activities will result in increased overnight stays and an influx of visitors from over 50 miles away, or from outside the state/country. The City requires this data to be collected and provided in the lodging tax application. The Committee’s considerations, such as the projected economic impact and the applicant’s history of tourism promotion success, underscore the emphasis on tangible, positive results directly related to tourism growth and economic benefit for Gig Harbor.

This funding program provides financial support to community-based organizations in the Pacific Northwest working to address environmental justice and public health challenges in historically underinvested communities.

San Juan County in Washington is offering a Lodging Tax Grant Program in 2024, inviting proposals for projects aimed at enhancing tourism through facility development, event organization, and operations that align with the county's LTAC Tourism Master Plan.

The Riverside Small & Micro Business Grant Program is a City of Riverside initiative designed to foster local small business resiliency by offering grant awards of up to $25,000 to qualified businesses. This program aligns with a mission to support long-term economic stability and growth within the community, addressing not only ongoing pandemic recovery needs but also promoting access to valuable partner resources. The program's foundation is rooted in the Department of Treasury State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), demonstrating a commitment to enhancing financial stability for small businesses. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are small and micro businesses located within Riverside city limits, particularly those in disadvantaged communities. The program focuses on businesses with under 50 employees, an annual gross revenue between $10,000 and $2,500,000, and those that can demonstrate a COVID-19 financial impact. By targeting these specific businesses, the program aims to reduce barriers to success and promote equitable economic development. A key priority of the Riverside Small & Micro Business Grant Program is to offer direct financial support, with grant sizes ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. Beyond monetary aid, the program also emphasizes capacity building through a FREE one-on-one Strategic Planning Consultation. These consultations are designed to help applicants identify opportunities for improvement, develop customized strategies for increased financial stability, and build long-term sustainability. The focus is on holistic support, extending beyond immediate financial relief to include strategic planning and resource connection. The expected outcomes of this program include enhanced financial stability, long-term sustainability, and increased capacity for success among Riverside's small and micro businesses. Measurable results will likely stem from the improved financial health of participating businesses, their ability to sustain operations, and their growth within the community. The program's strategic priorities are centered on recovery, resiliency, and growth, operating under a theory of change that postulates that by providing financial assistance and strategic guidance, small businesses will be better equipped to overcome challenges, thrive, and contribute to the local economy.

The Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce) is offering grant funding through its Community Reinvestment Project (CRP) to support community healer services. This initiative aims to address violence and its systemic roots, particularly in Black, Latine, and tribal communities, which have been historically impacted by the "war on drugs" and systemic injustices. The program aligns with a mission to foster holistic, trauma-informed, person and community-centered, and culturally responsive services. It emphasizes flexibility and low-barrier innovation to serve those in need of restoration, accountability, and healing, thereby supporting personal and intergenerational healing, burnout prevention, and repairing harm caused by systemic racism, anti-Blackness, and colonialism. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are individuals and communities affected by violence, with a specific focus on Black, Latine, and tribal communities, including urban Indians. The impact goals are centered on violence intervention and prevention, promoting healing, and addressing the long-term consequences of historical injustices. By supporting community healer services, the program seeks to create safer, more resilient communities where individuals can experience restoration and healing from trauma. The program's priorities and focuses include addressing violence that has disproportionately affected Black, Latine, and tribal communities due to the design and enforcement of state and federal criminal laws for drug possession. It prioritizes organizations led by and for these communities, including federally recognized tribal governments, tribal-led 501(c)3s, tribal-led community-based organizations, small businesses, non-profits, faith-based organizations, and grassroots community-led organizations. Geographic priority counties are Clark, King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, and Yakima in Washington State. Expected outcomes include providing culturally responsive services to people of all ages, identities, and abilities, fostering personal and intergenerational healing, and preventing burnout among community healers. Measurable results would likely focus on the reach and effectiveness of the violence intervention and prevention programs, the number of individuals served, and indicators of community restoration and healing. While specific metrics are not detailed in the provided information, the emphasis on accountability and healing suggests an outcomes-based approach. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are rooted in the belief that addressing the historical and ongoing impacts of systemic racism, anti-Blackness, and colonialism through community-led healing initiatives is crucial for violence prevention and community reinvestment. By empowering by-and-for organizations within impacted communities, the program aims to facilitate sustainable change and create environments conducive to healing and well-being. The tiered funding structure, ranging from $50,000 to $500,000, reflects a commitment to supporting organizations of varying sizes, from small-sized with annual budgets under $150,000 to large-sized with budgets over $1 million, ensuring broad access to funding for eligible entities. The project period is set to begin around August 15, 2024, and conclude on June 30, 2025, allowing for a concentrated effort within a one-year grant duration. Eligibility criteria underscore the commitment to community-led initiatives, requiring organizations to be a federally recognized tribal government, tribal-led 501(c)3, tribal-led community-based organization, or licensed to do business in Washington (with an exception for tribes). Additionally, eligible organizations must be registered with the Community Reinvestment Project as a by-and-for organization, ensuring that the healing services are deeply connected to and guided by the communities they serve.

This funding opportunity supports industry-led partnerships in Washington State to develop innovation clusters that promote economic growth while addressing climate sustainability and public health.