Washington Capacity Building Grants

This grant provides funding for Fife residents to undertake community improvement projects that benefit their neighborhoods, such as cleanups, community gardens, and local events.

This program provides funding to eligible early learning facilities, including nonprofits and local governments, to expand and maintain licensed child care spaces for low-income families in Washington State.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to diaper banks in Washington State that distribute essential baby items, primarily diapers and wipes, to low-income families, with a focus on promoting racial equity and serving marginalized communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in South King County that offer emergency shelter services for families experiencing homelessness, focusing on best practices in care and service delivery.

This grant provides funding for individuals and community organizations in King County to create arts and cultural programming in Seattle parks, focusing on enhancing community engagement and access to the arts in underserved areas.

This program provides funding to non-profit organizations for innovative projects that improve the economic and social well-being of rural communities in several western states.

This funding opportunity supports established nonprofit organizations and Tribal entities in Washington State that provide creative arts programs for youth aged 13 to 26, focusing on artistic growth, wellbeing, and civic engagement, particularly in underserved areas.

This grant provides financial support to public charities and government units in Washington, Oregon, and Northern California for projects that enhance community quality of life through capital improvements, equipment purchases, or program expansions focused on sustainability.

This grant provides funding for capital building projects to nonprofit organizations in specific regions, focusing on higher education, human services, arts and culture, and healthcare initiatives.

The City of Vancouver is requesting applications for its Community and Neighborhood Grants. Donor Name: City of Vancouver State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: All Time Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Community and Neighborhood Grants Program supports local efforts to:  Build and strengthen community connections  Encourage partnerships between groups  Empower residents to take meaningful action in their community. Funding Information The grant program offers two levels of funding:  Level One Microgrants Up to $500 to support smaller-scale projects and events such as block parties, picnics, carnivals, cultural and community celebrations, education events, or arts activities. Up to $40,000 is available for Level One Microgrants.  Level Two Grants Up to $10,000 to support larger-scale projects and ongoing programs. These could include after-school, educational or youth sports programs, ongoing arts programs, neighborhood beautification, safety improvements, food assistance programs and any manner of programs aimed at improving equity, accessibility and inclusion in historically underserved parts of Vancouver. Up to $160,000 is available for Level Two Grants.  Uses of funds  Grant funds can be used to pay for:  Materials, supplies or equipment used for an event, project or program  Event rental fees  Insurance policies  Food or nonalcoholic beverages Professional services, such as translation, interpretation, facilitation, design, art, printing, advertising, etc.  Eligibility Criteria  Groups that are working to support community-building within the Vancouver city limits or urban growth area are eligible to apply. Eligible organizations include:  Nonprofits  Community-based organizations  Neighborhood associations  Clubs  Parent-teacher groups such as PTA, PTO and PTSA Groups  Informal groups, partnerships or collaboratives  The following organizations are not eligible to apply:  Government agencies (including county agencies, schools or special districts)  For-profit businesses  Political organizations  Ineligibility  Grant funds cannot be used to pay for:  Purchase of real property  Utility bills  Salaries for staff  Alcohol, marijuana or any illegal substances  Political activities  Fundraising events  Events that cost money to attend. For more information, visit City of Vancouver.

The Healthy Environment or All (HEAL) Capacity grant program focuses on enhancing community-led decision making to advancing environmental justice (EJ) and building climate resilience. Donor Name: Washington State Department of Health State: Washington County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/05/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This funding equips communities most impacted by environmental hazards, including but not limited to Native Nations, Black communities, rural communities, youth, low income, unhoused, disabled, LGBTQ+, and/or other communities most vulnerable to climate impacts, with necessary resources needed to collaborate with state agencies on environmental health decisions. The Legislature required the state Department of Health (DOH) to set this grant program based on the Environmental Justice Council (EJC) Climate Commitment Act (CCA) funding recommendations and budget priorities. These grants are supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. They offer two funding opportunities to support communities in building capacity to engage in HEAL activities. Eligible organizations may apply to one or both of the following: Pass-through funding – They invite community-based organizations to sub-grant funds to other community-based organizations working with overburdened communities and vulnerable populations across Washington State to support equitable community engagement and participation in HEAL activities. Project funding – An organization may apply on its own or in partnership with other organization(s) for funds to build organizational and community capacity to provide guidance and input to: Environmental Justice Council on implementation of the HEAL Act. Department of Health on updates to the environmental health disparities map. State agencies on implementation of the HEAL Act (including environmental justice assessments, budgeting and funding, community, and Tribal engagement). Funding Information Total Amount of Funding: $11.6 million Estimated Funding Range per Award: $250,000 – $1,000,000 Eligibility Criteria This funding is open to eligible organizations in both rural and urban areas. They hope to reach communities across the state through this funding. Tribal organizations and Urban Native led non-profits with 501(c)3 status with service areas in WA state are encouraged to apply for either type of funding. These applications will be scored to account for Tribal sovereignty, data sovereignty, and proprietary traditional knowledge protection. Federally recognized Tribes are eligible to apply for the Tribal Heal Capacity reserved for Tribal governments. Community based organizations with 501(c)3 status are eligible to apply for passthrough funds. Large institutions (i.e. hospitals/community health centers, academic institutions, local health jurisdictions, local government such as city county) are invited to apply in partnership with a 501(c)3 or fiscally sponsored community based organization. It is expected that passthrough fund grantees will spend a reasonable amount of awarded funds on administrative costs associated with establishing and distributing the funds Organizations receiving pass-through funds must also meet the following qualifications: Administrative and fiscal capacity to set up and manage pass-through funding. Capacity to develop and implement a plan for equitably soliciting applications from, selecting, and allocating funding to subgrantee organizations. Demonstrated ability to work equitably with communities and populations across the state, in particular, those most impacted by environmental injustice. Demonstrated ability to collaborate and partner with external organizations with accountability and transparency. For more information, visit Washington State Department of Health.

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 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.

AgWest Farm Credit's New Producer Grant Program supports new agricultural producers who have two years or less of operational experience or plan to start their operation within two years of applying. The grant aims to alleviate the challenge of lacking start-up funds, celebrating the ingenuity and passion of new producers. Successful applicants will receive a one-time $15,000 grant to support their operation's growth. The grant focuses on applicants within AgWest Farm Credit’s territory who are not current lending customers and are U.S. citizens or lawful residents.

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.

This funding opportunity supports projects that improve habitats and migration routes for big game species in the western U.S., targeting conservation organizations, state and tribal agencies, and community groups involved in wildlife management.

The Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) offers surplus vanpool vans to not-for-profit organizations and government entities through the Community Van Grant Program. This initiative aims to enhance public transportation options by providing retired vans to organizations that can address community transportation needs unmet by WTA services. Eligible applicants include Whatcom County community organizations with 501(c)(3) status or government organizations. The program is competitive due to the limited availability of vehicles. Selected recipients will receive the vehicle title upon award and must submit performance reports for the first year. Up to eleven retired vanpool vehicles will be available in 2024, with a deadline for applications on August 23, 2024.

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 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.

This grant provides $100,000 over two years to grassroots organizations in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming that focus on building community power and leadership among diverse groups, with a priority for those led by BIPOC and working in rural or reservation areas.