Washington Business and Commerce Grants

The Community Reinvestment Project (CRP) is a community-designed plan to invest $200 million from the Community Reinvestment Account into communities across Washington State that were disproportionately harmed by the historical design and enforcement of criminal laws and penalties for drug possession (otherwise known as the “war on drugs”). Donor Name: Spokane Workforce Council (SWC) State: Washington County: Spokane County (WA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/07/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: SWC is seeking proposals from organizations that provide services to one or more of these groups (Black, tribal, or Latine) to increase access of these focus populations to workforce system resources, specifically the EcSA program and Career Accelerator Incentives. Additionally, the goal is to foster stronger relationships, include voice of the customer in program design, provide more culturally specific services, and increase cultural competence in line with the equity mission. The Accelerating Community Connections grant opportunity is for organizations that provide services to one or more of these groups (Black, Indigenous, or Latine) to increase access of these focus populations to workforce system resources, specifically the EcSA program and Career Accelerator Incentives. Funded through the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Community Reinvestment Project, the Accelerating Community Connections grant aims to rectify historical injustices, including those from the “War on Drugs” by working with “By-and-For” organizations to help them connect the local Black, tribal, and Latine communities with workforce development resources. Funding Information Organizations may apply for up to $30,000. Allowable Costs Funding can be used broadly and creatively for this project, including covering personnel costs, occupancy costs, outreach activities, travel and training, supplies, and more. Direct client costs such as support services to remove barriers (for example, gas vouchers or bus passes) are also allowable. Contracts will be cost reimbursement contracts, so organizations must have the ability to incur costs and submit monthly invoices for reimbursement. No funds available under this RFP shall be used for investment in revolving loan funds, capitalization of business, investment in contract bidding resource centers or similar activities, or foreign travel. Eligibility Criteria  Applicant organizations must: Provide services in Spokane County (there is not a requirement to be headquartered in Spokane County, as long as services are provided in Spokane County). Either: Be registered as a By-and-For organization with the Washington State Department of Commerce or Be a federally recognized tribe in Washington or Have the ability to become registered as a By-and-For organization by July 1, 2024. As defined by the Office of Equity, to qualify as “By-and-For” for the CRP, an organization must: Be a part of, rooted in, and defined by the identity of the Black, Latine, and/or tribal community. Have leadership and staff who belong to the Black, Latine, and/or tribal community. Build trust, advocate, respond, and solve problems specific to Black, Latine, and/or tribal community. Have roots in their communities as change agents and providers of community services (services can include, but are not limited to, social services, employment support, community programming, educational support, etc.). Invest in and work with community members to improve their quality of life. Faith-based organizations are eligible. For more information, visit SWC.

The City of Bellevue is currently requesting proposals from organizations with projects that may be suitable for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. Donor Name: City of Bellevue State: Washington City: Bellevue Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/17/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The City is considering non-construction Capital projects (e.g. architectural & engineering and other soft costs; single-family home rehabilitation; weatherization; acquisition or pre-acquisition costs) and Economic Development projects (e.g. microenterprise business assistance). The City is not seeking Public Services projects (e.g. homeless services, counseling, food banks, senior services, etc.) at this time. Projects must comply with U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) CDBG program regulations (24 CFR Part 570). The amount of funding available for this Request for Proposals is estimated to be $1,000,000 in PY2025 funds ($850,000 in estimated entitlement funds and $150,000 in estimated program income). The actual amount available is dependent upon the 2025 federal CDBG budget, HUD’s allocation formula, and actual program income received by the City. The City makes no guarantees regarding the availability or awarding of CDBG funding. Projects selected via this RFP will be part of the 2025-2029 CDBG Consolidated Plan. Eligible Activities  Examples of CDBG eligible activities that the City will consider funding include: Acquisition of real property, pre-acquisition costs, or design-related (architectural and engineering) and other soft costs (i.e., non-construction). Acquisition/Rehabilitation of public facilities. Home repair/rehabilitation, maintenance and weatherization activities. Microenterprise business assistance and development. Eligibility Criteria  CDBG projects must be implemented by a nonprofit organization or public agency. Nonprofit organizations leasing a facility may request CDBG funds to improve the facility provided the property owner agrees to a restricted use of the property for a specified length of time. The City will prioritize funding recommendations for agencies/organizations with a verifiable history of receiving and administering funds from HUD. For more information, visit City of Bellevue.

The Washington State Department of Commerce is accepting applications for its 2025 Religious and Nonprofit Security Grant. Donor Name: Washington State Department of Commerce State: Washington County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/02/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: The Department of Commerce awards grants for nonprofit organizations including, but not limited to: religious nonprofits by-and-for organizations or cultural community centers to fund renovation or other security investments. All applications must demonstrate that their sites have been subject to, or at risk of physical attacks, threats, or other damages because of the mission, ideology or beliefs. Funding Information Applications in excess of $50,000 will be rejected as non-responsive and will not be evaluated. Grant Period August 7, 2024 – June 30, 2025. Eligibility Criteria  Applicant minimum qualifications include: Licensed to do business in the State of Washington or submit a statement of commitment that it will become licensed in Washington within thirty (30) calendar days of being selected as the Apparently Successful Applicant. Are a non-profit organization including, but not limited to, religious nonprofits, “by and for” organizations, or cultural community centers. Application Considerations In order for applications to be considered for this funding and be evaluated and scored, applications must: Have reasons to believe they have been subject to or at risk of physical attacks, threats, vandalism, or damages based on their mission, ideology, or beliefs and; Demonstrate a need for investments in physical security enhancements, construction or renovation, target hardening, preparedness planning, training, or exercises and; Use the funding for physical security enhancements, construction or renovation, target hardening, preparedness planning, training, or exercises. Own the property or if leasing/renting have permission in writing from the owner to make proposed security enhancements. At the time of the application, the organization is actively occupying and functioning out of the location listed in the application. For more information, visit WSDC.

The Washington State Department of Commerce, hereafter called “COMMERCE,” is initiating this Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit Proposals from those qualified and interested in participating in a project that will serve counties throughout Washington State to weatherize multifamily buildings. Donor Name: Washington State Department of Commerce State: Washington County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: Commerce is looking for an entity that will act as an additional agency and/or to expand current weatherization agency services with a focus solely on increasing the energy efficiency and lowering the energy burden in multifamily buildings. Commerce is prioritizing service to traditionally hard-to-reach markets, including serving a broader category of homes and underserved regions of Washington State. Funding Information COMMERCE has budgeted an amount not to exceed $7,301,514.13 for this project. West Region Program Operations: $1,343,729 Admin Total Award: $149,303 Total: $1,493,032 East Region Program Operations: $1,950,462 Admin Total Award: $216,718 Total: $2,167,180 Central Region Program Operations: $1,797,622 Admin Total Award: $199,736 Total: $1,997,357 Coastal North Region Program Operations: $1,479,550 Admin Total Award: $164,394 Total: $1,643,945. Funding Period July 10th 2024 – June 30th 2027. Minimum Qualifications Minimum qualifications include: Licensed to do business in the State of Washington or submit a statement of commitment that business will become licensed in Washington within thirty (30) calendar days of being selected as the Apparent Successful Contractor. Two years of experience with weatherizing multifamily buildings. One year of demonstrated experience implementing weatherization, residential energy efficiency measures, and/or health & safety remediation programs for multifamily properties. For more information, visit WSDC.

The Washington State Department of COMMERCE, hereafter called “COMMERCE,” is initiating this Request for Applications (RFA) to fund clean energy projects in Washington through a combination of funding sources. Donor Name: Washington State Department of Commerce State: Washington County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/14/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Commerce is now accepting applications to support the planning, design, and construction of clean energy projects through a general round which is open to all eligible project types and applicants. Approximately $34 million will be available in the general round to support the following project areas: Electric grid modernization and innovation Innovative large-scale and dual-use solar Solar energy retrofits for public buildings Clean energy project siting and permitting Building, industry, aviation and maritime Decarbonization Clean energy projects that leverage private and federal funding. Project Categories  Large scale solar innovation Planning or a construction project. Planning project must lead to a capital asset. Solar array(s) must have alternating current (AC) nameplate capacity of more than 100 kW at a single site or more than 1 MW across multiple sites Cannot displace critical habitat or productive farmland Dual-use solar Planning or a construction project Must involve commercial, dual-use solar power demonstration Hard to decarbonize and economic development Planning or a construction project. Planning project must lead to a capital asset. Project must achieve one or more of the following goals: Reduce emissions in hard-to-decarbonize sector Bring private investment and federal funding to the state Grid integration and innovation Planning or a construction project Must develop and demonstrate distributed energy resources and non-wire alternatives Must be for electrical grid integration and innovation projects Must do at least one of the following: Support implementation of demand response Improve integration of renewable energy and energy storage Advance community resilience Support implementation of sustainable microgrids Accelerate beneficial load integration and demand management for at least one of the following: Building electrification Equipment electrification Electric vehicle charging Clean energy siting and permitting Planning projects only Must support siting and permitting of clean energy projects through at least one of the following methods: Support pre-development work at sites for clean energy projects Support land use studies Conduct or engage in planning efforts such as planned actions and programmatic environmental impact statements (EIS) Improve permit timeliness and certainty with staff, expertise or databases Solar installations on existing public buildings Construction projects only Must purchase and install solar PV only at an existing public building (must have a certificate of occupancy prior to application). Funding Information The minimum award amount is $50,000, and the maximum award amount for a single award is $3,000,000. Eligibility Criteria  Unless the Applicant is a federally recognized tribe, applicants must be licensed to do business in the State of Washington or submit a statement of commitment that it will become licensed in Washington within thirty (30) calendar days of being selected as an Apparently Successful Contractor. Applicants must be in good standing with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and requirements, including with the Department of Commerce. Applicants must be one of the following entities (please note, not all entities are eligible for all project categories. Associate development organization Federally recognized tribal government For-profit entity Investor-owned, co-operative, or public retail electric utility K-12 school district Local government Non-profit organization Private educational institution or public higher education institution Other academic or research institution State agency Tribes’ contracted service providers. For more information, visit WSDC.

The Re+ Circular Economy Grant Program supports projects that minimize waste, keep materials in use longer, and regenerate natural systems. Donor Name: King County Solid Waste Division (SWD) State: Washington County: King County (WA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/29/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Focus Areas  The success of Re+ relies on both upstream prevention and downstream recycling actions, while also reducing inequities that persist in King County. Recognizing the need for a whole system approach, the Re+ Circular Economy Grant has two focus areas: Prevention and Reuse: This includes projects that reduce materials used or purchased, create infrastructure to use reusable products, increase food rescue, and promote sharing or donating items. Recycling: This includes projects that create or expand markets for recycled material (including organics) currently produced in the King County solid waste system. Grants could also support projects that improve the quality, increase the quantity, or increase the availability of recycling in residential or business communities. Priority materials Projects that address the following materials will be awarded higher points in the evaluation process: Plastic Paper Organics (includes food waste, yard waste, and wood). Funding Information Approximately $2.2 million in grant funding is available for the 2024-25 grant cycle. Minimum request amount: $20,000. Maximum request amount: $300,000. Project Eligibility To be eligible, projects must: Demonstrate an impact on King County’s solid waste system by reducing materials generated or being sent to Cedar Hills Regional Landfill. King County’s solid waste system serves all unincorporated areas and cities, excluding Seattle and Milton. Be implemented in King County and/or support communities in King County, excluding Seattle and Milton. Address materials that are otherwise disposed of, provide a higher use of materials, or focus on waste prevention. Projects that are not eligible include but are not limited to: Routine operation and maintenance costs Collection of garbage or household hazardous waste items Environmental clean-up of illegal activities (i.e. trash and litter cleanup) Environmental compliance remediation Lobbying and attempts to influence legislation Below are examples of projects that may be funded. This list is not all-inclusive. Projects that increase food rescue for human consumption. Projects that increase diverting food scraps for animal consumption. Projects that stimulate demand for reused or recycled materials and products. Projects that increase access to reuse programs or build reuse infrastructure and systems. Projects that increase the collection or processing capacity of recyclable materials. Projects that commercialize technologies to replace materials with recycled content to grow demand for utilizing recycled materials. Projects that research or develop new uses for recycled materials that demonstrate future diversion potential. Projects that increase access to recycling infrastructure. Projects that create or expand markets and supply chains for recycled materials. Who should apply? Nonprofit organizations Fiscally sponsored organizations Businesses Self-employed individuals Tribal governments Universities/colleges. For more information, visit King County Solid Waste Division (SWD).

This program provides financial support to small businesses and nonprofits in Snohomish to help them recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This grant provides financial support to organizations in King County that host public performing arts events featuring artists from the Touring Arts Roster, reimbursing a portion of the artists' fees.

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses and nonprofits in Burien, Washington, to repair storefront glass damaged by vandalism or property crime, helping them recover from economic disruptions caused by such incidents.

CDBG General Purpose Grants are available annually through a competitive application process to assist Washington State small cities, towns and counties in carrying out significant community and economic development projects that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons. The Washington State CDBG Program is funded by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Examples of eligible General Purpose Grant activities include: Public facilities, such as water, wastewater, streets and sidewalks Community facilities, such as community centers, libraries, food banks and fire stations Local assistance programs such as housing rehabilitation CDBG Program Priorities: Financial need- Prioritizing applicants who do not have viable access to other funds/resources. Funding readiness- Prioritizing applicants who have secured all other funds. Funding efforts- Prioritizing applicants who have pursued other funding. Equity- Prioritizing applicants who have not recently received CDBG funding and who do not have open CDBG contracts for similar activities.

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.