Washington Transportation Grants

This funding opportunity provides up to $1,000 to Seattle schools, PTAs, and community groups to encourage safe walking and biking to school through various programs and events.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for businesses, nonprofits, and local governments in Washington to install Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations, particularly in areas where vehicles are parked for short durations, to improve air quality and promote clean transportation.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest to support strategic projects that promote community well-being, education, health, and cultural initiatives.

This grant provides federal funding to local agencies, tribes, and nonprofits in Washington to rehabilitate and maintain recreational trails for various outdoor activities, ensuring a sustainable backcountry experience.

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 commission is accepting applications to fund projects that will eliminate or mitigate public safety hazards at railroad crossings and along railroad rights-of-way in Washington. The commission administers the Grade Crossing Protective Fund (GCPF) to provide grants to railroad companies, local governments, and other entities that propose to make safety improvements at a railroad crossing or along a railroad right-of-way. Funding is also available for safety improvements at passive (no lights and gates) public railroad crossings and for implementing other safety projects. The commission will consider and select projects for funding based on: The relative severity of the hazard being addressed. The safety benefits resulting from a project. The costs of implementing a project. Geographic diversity. Public equity. Available funds. Railroad companies regulated by the commission must be in compliance with all state laws and rules in order to be considered for grant funding.

Expenditures of the Multi-Use Roadway Safety Account may be used only for: (a) counties to perform safety engineering analysis of mixed vehicle use on any road within a county; (b) local governments to provide funding to install signs providing notice to the motoring public that (i) wheeled all-terrain vehicles (WATV) are present or (ii) wheeled all-terrain vehicles may be crossing; (c) the state patrol or local law enforcement for purposes of defraying the costs of enforcement of this act; (d) law enforcement to investigate accidents involving wheeled all-terrain vehicles. Funds may be used on any road owned by local, state and federal government agencies provided that the agency has authorized use of the road for wheeled all-terrain vehicles. Refer to the WATV sign fact sheet (PDF 315KB) for information on the types of signs that are eligible for funding under this program.

The Rural Arterial Program (RAP) is a biennial road and bridge reconstruction funding program in which counties compete for Rural Arterial Trust Account (RATA) funds within their respective regions Taken from fuel tax revenues, the RATA account generates approximately $40 million per biennium. Less than 3% is used for administration of the program (WAC 136-100). In 1983 the Washington State legislature created the RAP to help finance (via the Rural Arterial Trust Account - RATA) the reconstruction of rural arterial roads which faced severe deterioration in the wake of railroad abandonments. The nearly 13,000 mile rural arterial road system owned by the counties, provides the initial transportation link of Washington State's harvested resources to the marketplace. RAP was so successful in addressing local haul road needs that the initial funding of 0.33 cents of the Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax (MVFT) was increased to 0.58 cents by the 1990 legislature. In addition to serving county wide commercial transport needs, RAP funds are often used to improve rural roads which are primarily local use or recreational. This has been encouraged by Federal and State Growth Management requirements. Those statutes stress multi-modal transportation facilities and cooperation among the local groups that acquire road funding. Refer to the Washington Administrative Code Title 136 (WAC 136-100 through 136-210) for answers to questions that CRAB receives regarding RAP.

The Washington State Department of Commerce is accepting applications for its Blended Capital Enhancement Grants. Donor Name: Washington State Department of Commerce State: Washington County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/01/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Washington State Department of Commerce has a new way to help people and businesses through the Community Reinvestment Project (CRP). It’s called the Blended Capital Enhancementgrant, and it aims to support by-and-for lending agencies, businesses, and organizations reducewealth disparities within Black, Latine, and tribal communities through asset building. This program will help fund programs that: Make it easier for people to buy a home. Provide grants and loans for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Money management training Fund training and support for small businesses. Assist with buying commercial property, business assets, and vehicles. Help people reduce debt and save more using matching funds. The goal of this grant is to make it easier for Black, Latine, and tribal communities to get financialsupport from local organizations and businesses in their community. Funding Information A total of $42 million is available for this grant, with specific allocations reserved for various purposes,including: New construction loans: $5 million Home expansion loans (including Accessory Dwelling Units or ADUs): $6 million Business startups and expansions: $5 million Consumer loans (like credit consolidation, car refinancing, or emergency expenses): $1 million Project Period July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. Eligibility Criteria Commerce is looking for applications from lending agencies, businesses, and organizations who are interested in providing financial support, grants, and loans to Black, Latine, and tribal communities across Washington state. Eligible applicants must be led by-and-for Black, Latine, and tribal communities, or partnered with an organization that is by-and-for. Minimum Qualifications Federally recognized tribal government, tribal-led 501(c3), or tribal-led community basedorganizations; OR Licensed to do business in the State of Washington, or submit a statement of commitment that itwill become licensed in Washington within thirty (30) calendar days of being selected as theApparent Successful Contractor (exception: Tribes); AND Organizations who collaborate with and/or led by Black, Latine, and tribal communities in WA,and can provide tangible evidence of their relationship to those communities. For more information, visit Washington State Department of Commerce.

The Legislature created the Transportation Improvement Board to foster state investment in quality local transportation projects. The TIB distributes grant funding, which comes from the revenue generated by three cents of the statewide gas tax, to cities and counties for funding transportation projects. TIB's grant programs are catagorized by the type of customer agency each program is intended to serve. The Arterial Preservation Program (APP) provides funding for overlay of federally classified arterial streets (principal, minor) in cities with a population greater than 5,000 and assessed valuation less than $3 billion. Although the program offers critical preservation assistance, it is not enough to substitute for a city's street maintenance program. Therefore, the program is limited to overlay to defray high-cost preservation projects, allowing cities to concentrate limited resources on lower cost preventative maintenance.

The Countywide Gender-Based Violence and Trafficking Prevention RFP seeks to allocate VSHSL funds to Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, and Human Trafficking programs to implement in-depth, multi-level, coordinated prevention and community engagement strategies tailored to geographically and culturally diverse communities across King County. Donor Name: King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) State: Washington County: King County (WA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/11/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: 4 Years Details: This strategy will fund community-based entities to develop and implement programming and initiatives designed to prevent all forms of gender-based violence and human trafficking including, but not limited to, domestic violence, sexual assault, and commercial sexual exploitation. This strategy builds upon the learnings from the pilot program funded through the previous iteration of the VSHSL (2018-2023) to serve communities impacted by Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, and Human Trafficking. Funding from this strategy will strengthen prevention programs that are designed to build community bridges through responsive care networks. This strategy seeks a unified effort to develop and implement prevention and community engagement strategies tailored to geographically and culturally diverse communities across King County. Funded services may include, but are not limited to, prevention awareness and education and survivor-centered advocacy for social change. Funding Information This RFP covers funding available for the initial award period through December 2027. Up to $5,457,508 in VSHSL funds will be awarded across the number of applicants funded. Grant Period October 1, 2024 – December 31, 2027. Eligibility Criteria  This request is open to for-profit and nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, tribes and tribal organizations, and public or governmental agencies serving communities in King County. Small nonprofit, community-based Black, Indigenous, and other Communities of Color-led organizations are encouraged to submit proposals. For more information, visit DCHS.

US DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) provides funding to Washington state for tribal, state, and local governments to sustain and enhance hazardous materials-related emergency preparedness. The funding is specifically targeted to increase effectiveness in safely and efficiently handling hazardous materials accidents and incidents and to encourage a comprehensive approach to emergency training and planning by incorporating the unique challenges of responses to transportation situations. The HMEP grant program was established in 1990 by the Hazardous Materials Transportation Uniform Safety Act. In 1993, PHMSA began issuing grants to assist States, Territories, and Native American Tribes to "develop, improve, and carry out emergency plans" within the National Response System and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986. The HMEP grant program is designed to allow grantees the flexibility to implement training and planning programs that address differing needs for each location based on demographics, emergency response capabilities, commodity flow studies, and hazard analysis. Relevant trainings are found in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 472: Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents publication and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations found in 29 CFR § 1910.120. Governors in each State, or their counterparts within Territories or Tribes, designate an agency to receive the HMEP grant funds. Agencies submit grant applications to PHMSA annually requesting funds for proposed activities. PHMSA reviews and evaluates applications to make certain the proposed activities support the program mission to ensure the safe transportation of hazmat. If approved, PHMSA offers the agency a Notice of Grant Award (NGA) for acceptance and signature. Once executed, the agency may distribute grant funds in accordance with the planned activities identified in the grant application within the State, Territory, or Tribe to Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) and first responder organizations.

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 City of Walla Walla’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is designed to benefit and expand opportunities for low and moderate-income citizens through housing, the provision of public services, improvements to public facilities, neighborhood improvements, and economic development opportunities. Donor Name: City of Walla Walla State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: All projects and programs must principally benefit low-and moderate-income persons within the City of Walla Walla. Funding Information Approximately $58,000. Grant Period The 2025-2026 Program Year will run from April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. Eligible CDBG Activities  Walla Walla activities that are eligible for CDBG funding include, but are not limited to: Housing rehabilitation, acquisition of real property, demolition, utilities needed for housing projects Construction, reconstruction, or installation of public facilities or public infrastructure including, but not limited to the creation of parks, playgrounds, streets and sidewalks, public buildings (except for buildings for the general conduct of government) Public services, such as mental healthcare, substance abuse, health care, childcare, transportation, youth programs, employment assistance, crime prevention, fair housing counseling, etc Eligibility Criteria Nonprofits, for-profits and government entities. Must meet a National Objective, which includes serving low- and moderate-income individuals or low- and moderate-income areas.  Must be an eligible activity. For more information, visit City of Walla Walla.

Snohomish County is accepting applications for the 2024 Snohomish County Conservation Futures Program (SCCFP) Grants. Donor Name: Snohomish County State: Washington County: Snohomish County (WA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/16/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Snohomish County Conservation Futures Program (the “SCCFP”) was started in 1988 as a mechanism for distributing Conservation Futures Property Tax Funds for the preservation of open space land, farm and agricultural land, and timberland. The purpose of the SCCFP is to acquire interests or rights in real property for the preservation of open space land, farm and agricultural land, and timberland per SCC 4.14.010. A maximum amount of $10,000,000 million dollars may be available for distribution in 2024 for these purposes. Eligible Projects  For proposals to be eligible for consideration and funding, they should conform to the criteria listed below: Snohomish County Conservation Futures Program funding can only be used for the acquisition of real property, easements, covenants, or other contractual rights necessary to protect, preserve, maintain, improve, restore, limit the future use of, or otherwise conserve, selected open space land, farm and agricultural land, and timberland as defined in Chapter RCW 84.34 (“Protected Property”). Other sources of revenue may be used to improve properties acquired with Conservation Futures Program funds, provided the improvements are within the intent of the statute. Proposed acquisitions in urban areas shall be no smaller than 1 acre minimum in an urban area retained in its natural state and open to the public (RCW 84.34.020). Any improvements to the Protected Property shall be limited to those which meet the requirements and intent of RCW 84.34.200-220.  Allowed improvements include, but are not limited to, trails, interpretive centers, viewpoints, picnicking facilities, access, restrooms, and restoration projects.  Certain recreational improvements are prohibited.  Such improvements include, but are not limited to, ball fields, use by motorized vehicles, swimming pools and recreation centers. Project Eligibility Guidelines  All projects will be reviewed to assure that they fall under eligibility guidelines meeting the following criteria: Does the property fall within the definitions of open space, farm and agricultural land, or timberland as defined in RCW 84.34.020? Does the sponsoring agency have a guaranteed plan or program to manage and maintain the property to preserve those characteristics that make the property eligible for Conservation Futures Program funding? Does the proposed project secure property rights in perpetuity, which meet the intents of RCW 84.34.200? Is the proposed property free of any and all encumbrances (e.g. covenants, conditions and restrictions that prohibit public access), which would result in the acquisition not aligning with the intents of RCW 84.34.200? For more information, visit Snohomish County.

The Washington State Department of Ecology is seeking applications for its Air Quality VW Electric Vehicle Charging Level 2: Charge Where You Are Funding to help increase level 2 charging access across Washington State where drivers are likely to spend at least one to four hours. Donor Name: Washington State Department of Ecology State: Washington County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/29/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Goals  Reduce emissions from diesel engines in the state where the 2.0- and 3.0-liter Volkswagen vehicles were, are, or will be operated. Fully mitigate the total, lifetime excess NOx emissions of the subject vehicles. Priorities  Accelerate adoption of electric vehicles, equipment, and vessels. Promote electrification technologies in public transportation fleets. Accelerate fleet turnover to the cleanest vehicles. Achieve substantial additional emission reductions, beyond what would already occur, absent trust funding. Ensure cost-effectiveness. Leverage additional matching funds. Grant awards also align with the state’s objectives under the: Washington Clean Air Act Washington GHG emission reduction limits (70.235 RCW) Washington Fuel Usage Goals for Publicly Owned Vehicles (43.19.648 RCW) Washington State Clean Energy Fund Results Washington Clean Transportation and Healthy Air Goal State and local government vehicle procurement rules (194-28 and 194-29 WAC) Washington Climate Commitment Act Washington’s Healthy Environment for All Act Funding Information $3.52M total available. All projects may be eligible for up to $10,000 per plug at the following percentages based on project category: Full Public Access, Government Owned Property: 80% Full Public Access, Non-Government Owned Property: 80% Multi-Unit/multi-family residential buildings: 60% Workplace/fleet (not publicly accessible): 60% All other use cases (not publicly accessible): 60% Project Period All recipients should complete their projects within one year of grant execution. Eligible Projects Eligible project categories include the following: Full Public Access, Government Owned Property Full Public Access, Non-Government Owned Property Multi-Unit/multi-family residential buildings Workplace/fleet (not publicly accessible)  All other use cases (not publicly accessible) Eligibility Criteria Businesses licensed in Washington State, including but not limited to: Corporations Partnerships Limited liability companies Other legal business entities Non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations Investor-owned utilities and contracted municipal utilities Multi-unit/multi-family residential buildings State, Local, or Tribal governments and related entities in Washington State, including but not limited to: Cities and towns State and local parks Counties Special districts (such as health districts, fire districts, college districts, metropolitan municipal corporations) Port Authorities Public utility districts and municipal utilities Air pollution control authorities For more information, visit Washington State Department of Ecology.

The Legislature created the Transportation Improvement Board to foster state investment in quality local transportation projects. The TIB distributes grant funding, which comes from the revenue generated by three cents of the statewide gas tax, to cities and counties for funding transportation projects. TIB's grant programs are catagorized by the type of customer agency each program is intended to serve. The Active Transportation Program provides funding to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, enhanced pedestrian and cyclist mobility and connectivity, or improve the condition of existing facilities. The intent of the project must be transportation and not recreation. Required match for this program is based on assessed value as follows: 10% match for cities over $500 million 5% match for cities over $100 million No match is requested for valuations under $100 million

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.

This program provides funding to eligible public transit agencies in designated urban areas to improve security and resilience against terrorism and other threats through various protective measures and enhancements.

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program provides funding for a broad range of land conservation efforts, from conserving natural areas near big cities to protecting the most pristine and unique collections of plants in the state, including some of last remaining plant species in the world. Donor Name: Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office State: Washington County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program was envisioned as a way for the state to accomplish two goals: acquire valuable recreation and habitat lands before they were lost to other uses and develop recreation areas for a growing population. This landmark legislation passed in 1990 and the grant program’s continued funding have come about through the support of governors, the Legislature, and groups such as the many organizations comprising the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition. Funding Information Critical Habitat: None Natural Areas: None Riparian Protection: Minimum request of $25,000, no cap. State Lands Restoration and Enhancement: Minimum request of $25,000. Maximum request of $1 million for a single-site project and $500,000 for a multi-site project. Urban Wildlife Habitat: None. Eligible Projects Land Acquisition Acquisition includes the purchase of perpetual interest in real property or non-perpetual interests such as leases and easements. Acquisition of non-perpetual interests must be for at least 50 years and may not be revocable at will. Incidental costs related to acquisition are eligible. The Riparian Protection Category provides funds for acquisition of lease extensions under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, which must be for a minimum of 25 years. Development Benches, tables Interpretive kiosks, signs Paths, roads, parking Restrooms Viewing shelters The Critical Habitat, State Lands Restoration and Enhancement, and Urban Wildlife Habitat Categories also allow for habitat creation and enhancement. The Riparian Protection Category allows for site stewardship plans. Restoration and Enhancement Animal watering stations Ecological restoration Estuary and shoreline restoration Fencing, gates,and signs In-stream habitat such as bank stabilization, channel reconfiguration, and woody materials placement In-stream passage improvements Habitat enhancement such as native plantings and invasive plant removal Removal of structures like bulkheads, dikes, levees, tide gates, and impervious surfaces Site augmentation to establish restoration elements Transplanting and re-vegetation Upland stewardship. Who May Apply? Critical Habitat, Riparian Protection, and Urban Wildlife Habitat Categories Cities, counties, towns Federally recognized Indian tribes Nonprofit nature conservancies Special purpose districts, port districts, or other political subdivisions of the state that provide services to less than the entire state State agencies (Department of Enterprise Services, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission) Natural Areas Category Nonprofit nature conservancies State agencies (Department of Enterprise Services, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission) State Lands Restoration and Enhancement Category State agencies (Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission). For more information, visit WSRCO.