Washington Capacity Building Grants

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 Department of Commerce, in collaboration with the Puget Sound National Estuary Program and the Stormwater and Habitat strategic initiative leads, is offering salmon recovery planning grants to local governments and tribes. Donor Name: Washington State Department of Commerce State: Washington County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/03/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: These funds aim to advance the Governor’s statewide salmon recovery strategy and align with the Puget Sound National Estuary Partnership’s investment priorities. Funding Information Grants are available to cities and counties, fully and partially planned under the Growth Management Act and federally recognized tribes. They encourage applications that seek to protect and restore salmon habitat with long-range planning objectives. Approximately $3.2 million in funding is available, including: $2.2 million available to communities statewide $1 million available to communities in the Puget Sound Up to $2 million in additional funding will be provided and administered by the Habitat Strategic Initiative Lead at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). These funds will layer with the Commerce-administered grant to promote monitoring and adaptive management practices that will improve implementation, consistency, and effectiveness of permitting for critical areas protection in the Puget Sound. These funds may be requested as part of the joint application. Period of Performance July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027. Eligibility Criteria  Grants are available to towns, cities, and counties both fully and partially planning under the Growth Management Act, and federally recognized tribes in Washington State. For more information, visit WSDC.

The Flood Control District is accepting applications for its Flood Reduction Grants. Donor Name: King County Flood Control District State: Washington County: King County (WA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The Flood Control District is offering funds in four grant categories: Original Flood Reduction This general category will continue to be funded for projects within King County that will result in potential or existing flood reduction and meet the general criteria listed above, but do not fit in any of the more specific new categories. Example project types include stormwater retrofit, lake outflow modification, lake flooding, agricultural drainage improvements, slope stabilization, design/permitting of drainage improvement projects. Urban Streams Must reduce risks from urban flooding to property or public infrastructure. Must be located within urban growth areas in King County. Example project types include green infrastructure, sediment ponds, flow control, stream restoration, habitat restoration, water quality improvement, design/permitting of improvement projects. Coastal Erosion/Coastal Flooding Must be located within a mapped flood zone along the Puget Sound shoreline of King County. Must result in reducing potential or existing flooding. Must focus on increasing resiliency to sea level rise in coastal flood hazard areas. Must restore shorelines and/or retrofit or relocate infrastructure out of flood-prone areas to reduce risk. Cannot result in any increase in hard armored shoreline such as bulkheads, seawalls, or hardened revetments. May include acquisition as long as demolition/relocation of structures out of flood-prone areas is included or addressed under this or other funding. Example project types include acquisition and restoration, demolition of at-risk structures, relocation of houses or other structures at tops of bluffs at risk for landslide due to coastal erosion, removal of armoring/bulkheads, modification of shoreline stabilization to use soft armoring techniques, design/permitting of shoreline stabilization. Culvert Replacement/Fish Passage Must restore fish passage by replacing and/or removing culverts or other instream structures that have been identified as partial or complete barriers to fish passage. Must demonstrate reduction of potential or existing flood risks as well as improving fish passage. Must demonstrate that project reflects a coordinated effort to restore fish passage in the watershed. Must demonstrate that the project has been or will be designed to meet or exceed minimum fish passage standards per Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife requirements. Can include stream shoreline stabilization and habitat improvement near fish passage barriers that will be remedied. Example project types include replacement or removal of barriers to fish passage, revegetation to improve habitat and reduce erosion in areas affected by removal of blockages, design and permitting of barrier removal/replacement. Funding Information The total amount available for Flood Reduction Grants for 2024 is at least $12 million. Matching/leveraged funds are encouraged but not required – this is taken into consideration during the scoring process. The expenditure of funds must be completed no later than 36 months after signing the grant agreement. Eligible Applicants Eligible for all four categories: Non-profit organizations or associations Special purpose districts Tribes Cities and towns within King County King County agencies Eligible for the Original Flood Reduction Grant category only: Homeowner associations Schools. For more information, visit KCFCD.

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 2025 General Fund Grant Program funding requests are now being accepted by the City of Leavenworth. Donor Name: City of Leavenworth State: Washington City: Leavenworth Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/10/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funding for this program comes from the City of Leavenworth’s General Fund. The General Fund Grant Program provides funding to non-profit organizations that benefit the residents of the Leavenworth community. What can be funded with General Fund Grant Program dollars? Youth and Senior Services – to support non-profits that benefit youth and/or seniors. Activities and/or projects must benefit youth, seniors, and/or the Leavenworth community. Example: Addition of children’s programs in local school(s). Events and Activities – for costs associated with the implementation of the program or service. Example: Food assistance program(s) that benefit the Leavenworth community. Organizational Development and Capacity Building – for costs related to activities including community focused education and program planning. Capital Improvements – for costs activities and/or projects that benefit the Leavenworth community. Funding Information A total of $62,000 is available to non-profit organizations for projects that benefit the residents of the Leavenworth community. Maximum grant request is $5,000 per applicant; not to exceed 50% of program cost. Who may apply? The General Fund Grant Program is open to non-profit organizations only. Applicants may be located within or outside the city limits of Leavenworth. However, General Fund Grant funding shall be used to host projects and/or activities within the city limits of Leavenworth. Maximum grant request is $5,000 per applicant; not to exceed 50% of program cost. An application does not guarantee funding. Funding may be awarded at an amount different than requested. If you qualify for a Lodging Tax grant, do not apply for a General Fund grant for the same project or activity. For more information, visit City of Leavenworth.

The Washington State Department of Commerce is now accepting applications for the 2025-27 Youth Recreational Facilities (YRF) grant program. Donor Name: Washington State Department of Commerce State: Washington County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/28/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This program awards state grants to Tribes and nonprofit youth oriented organizations to defray eligible capital costs to acquire, construct, or rehabilitate projects that offer recreational opportunities for youth k-12. Approved projects will be reimbursed for 25% of their eligible capital costs for: The acquisition and major new construction, or Renovation of nonresidential youth recreational facilities. Funding Information The maximum grant award for the 2025-2027 biennium is $1,200,000. There is no minimum grant award amount. Eligible Projects  A proposed project must involve the construction, renovation, or acquisition and major renovation of nonresidential youth recreational facilities. These projects must also offer programmatic social and/or educational services on-site. Acquisition of bare land must be accompanied by the construction or renovation of a usable facility to be considered an eligible project. Organizations cannot apply for multiple Capital Programs competitive grants for the same project scope of work. Eligibility Criteria  All applicants must meet the following eligibility standards at the time the application is submitted: Be a Tribe or registered in the state of Washington as a nonprofit organization; Have a legally constituted board of directors; Be dedicated to youth-related activities; Agree to enter the LEED certification process or receive an exemption from Commerce; Agree to pay state prevailing wages as of the date the budget becomes effective; Have control of the project site via ownership or executed long-term lease (15 years) at the time of application — operating agreements will not be accepted as site control. All lease agreements must be recorded with the county of record; and Have made substantial progress in an active capital fundraising campaign dedicated to the project. 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).

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 Washington Emergency Management Division Human Services Program works with Federal, State, and Local partners to support disaster preparedness and recovery for Washington’s individuals, households, and businesses. Programs include: The Individual Assistance Program (IA): IA is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program to support individual and business recovery and is authorized through a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration. The IA program has multiple components including cash assistance and crisis counseling, a detailed declaration process and benefits that vary depending on several factors. For more information, please click here. The Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program: SBA disaster loans are available even without a Presidential Disaster Declaration and are a great tool to provide low-interest loans to individuals, families, businesses and organizations that suffer physical or economic loss due to a disaster or other disruption. For more information, please click here. Limited English Proficiency Program: The LEP program supports language accessibility for individuals, families and businesses by working with state and local governments and community organizations to promote preparedness activities in communities around the state. For more information, please click here. Disaster Resilience, Recovery and Restoration: Disaster Recovery includes both pre-disaster recovery planning and post-disaster recovery to re-envision and restore a community. Technical assistance and information is available for local governments, special districts, and organizations. Please click here for more information.

The Construction Loan Program focuses on the activities that repair, replace, or create a facility. A construction loan project may comprise any combination of pre-construction and construction elements. The Public Works Board awarded funding for its most recent construction cycle at its September 8, 2023 meeting. View the full list of awardees and applicants in Box. The Board anticipates opening its next construction funding cycle in Spring 2024. The Public Works Board (Board) is authorized by state statute (RCW 43.155). Its purpose is to loan and grant money to counties, cities, and special purpose districts to repair, replace, or create infrastructure.