Washington Transportation Grants

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers additional Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program categories to conserve natural areas, critical habitat, riparian corridors, and urban wildlife habitat, and to restore and enhance state lands. The program aims to secure habitat before it is lost and to support restoration where needed. Funding parameters vary by category. Riparian Protection requires a minimum request of 25,000 dollars with no cap. State Lands Restoration and Enhancement requires a minimum of 25,000 dollars and allows up to 1,000,000 dollars for a single site and 500,000 dollars for multi site projects. Urban Wildlife Habitat, Critical Habitat, and Natural Areas follow category rules as published. Eligible work includes land acquisition through perpetual or long term interests and associated incidental costs, development of low impact facilities such as paths, viewing shelters, restrooms, and interpretive elements, and restoration activities such as ecological restoration, shoreline work, fish passage improvements, and native plantings. Some categories allow habitat creation and site stewardship planning. Eligible applicants include cities, counties, towns, federally recognized tribes, nonprofit nature conservancies, special purpose and port districts, and state agencies, as defined per category. Projects are expected to deliver durable conservation outcomes and public benefit consistent with category requirements. Applications are due May 1, 2024 through the state’s process. Grant duration is not stated. Official information is available from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

Airports are vital to Washington state, fueling its economy and providing critical links to the state and national transportation system. WSDOT Aviation has been charged with the general supervision over the Airport Aid Grant Program, pursuant to RCW 47.68 on the legislature website, in which the program provides crucial financial assistance to public-use airports in the preservation of Washington's system of airports. Under RCW 47.68.090, any city, county, airport authority, political subdivision, federally recognized Indian tribe, public corporation, or person(s) that owns and operates, a public-use airport included in the Washington Aviation System Plan (WASP) is considered an eligible airport sponsor and may apply for WSDOT Airport Aid grant funds. The municipality, tribe, or person(s) may act jointly with other municipalities, tribes, or persons to plan or carry out the project. The airport sponsor must own or, in some cases, have a long-term lease (minimum twenty years) for the land upon which the project will be accomplished.

The County Arterial Preservation Program is similar to the Department of Transportation's Highway Preservation Program. The CAPP program is designed to help counties preserve their existing paved arterial road networks. The program generates approximately $30 million per biennium. Less than 3% of the revenue is spent for administration (WAC 136-300). The County Arterial Trust Account (CAPA) was created by Washington State Legislature in 1990 to fund the preservation of paved arterials on the statewide county road system. The CRABoard administers these funds through the County Arterial Preservation Program (CAPP) program via WAC 136 - 300. The CAPP is funded with 0.45 cent of the fuel tax, which generates approximately $30 million per biennium and $3 million per biennium from the Transportation Partnership Account (TPA). These funds are allocated directly to the counties to help them avoid costly roadway failures had the surface repairs been delayed. The County Road Administration Board, utilizing less than three percent of the revenue, monitors each county's overall arterial preservation program and accomplishments year by year. This encourages effective planning and ensures the funds are used where they are most needed. See CAPP submittal forms and due dates.

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. This program provides funding for chip seal and overlay of existing pavement and sidewalk maintenance in incorporated cities and towns with populations less than 5,000. Funds are not distributed regionally, rather, funding is targeted for road maintenance opportunities across the state. Condition ratings, economies of scale, and assessed valuation of cities are all considerations in amount of funds provided. 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

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program to acquire recreation and habitat lands and to develop recreation areas for the state’s growing population. The program supports local and state parks, trails, water access, and restoration on state lands to enhance public outdoor recreation. Funding is available across categories such as Local Parks acquisition and development, State Lands development and renovation, and Water Access and Trails in accordance with program rules. Typical projects include buying land for parks, developing athletic complexes, renovating community parks, building regional trails and waterfront facilities, and developing state lands. Local Parks awards may reach 1,000,000 dollars for acquisition or combination projects, with up to 500,000 dollars for development costs, and 500,000 dollars for development only. State Lands development and renovation awards range from 25,000 to 325,000 dollars. Eligible applicants vary by category and include cities, counties, towns, federally recognized tribes, special purpose and port districts, and state agencies as specified in the program guidance. Eligible costs include land acquisition through perpetual or long term interests and a wide range of development features such as buildings, campgrounds, play areas, restrooms, roads and paths, and interpretive elements, subject to category rules. Applications are submitted through the state’s process by May 1, 2024. Grant duration is not stated. Proposals are assessed for alignment with category requirements and public benefit. Official information is available from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

The Green Transportation Capital Grant Program, administered by the Washington State Department of Transportation, aims to fund cost-effective capital projects for transit authorities. Its core mission is to reduce the carbon intensity of Washington's transportation system, aligning with broader climate action efforts supported by the state's Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The CCA's strategic priority is to decrease climate pollution, create jobs, and enhance public health, making this grant a direct mechanism to achieve these goals by investing in sustainable transportation solutions. The primary beneficiaries of this program are transit agencies within Washington state, including various city, county, metropolitan, public, unincorporated, regional, and special purpose district transit systems. The impact goals are centered on transforming public transportation infrastructure to be more environmentally friendly. This includes the electrification of transit vehicle fleets and the development of necessary supporting infrastructure, such as charging and fueling stations, and associated electrical system upgrades. The program prioritizes capital projects that directly contribute to fleet electrification and the transition to zero-emission transportation. Eligible projects encompass the acquisition of battery and fuel cell-operated electric vehicles, modification of facilities for electrification or hydrogen refueling, and the construction of new facilities that primarily support electrified fleets. Additionally, it covers essential upgrades to electrical transmission and distribution systems, in-house staff managing capital construction, and property rights acquisition for these projects. The expected outcomes and measurable results include a significant reduction in carbon emissions from the Washington transportation sector, directly contributing to the state's climate goals. Historically, the program has awarded between $12 million and $50 million per biennium, indicating a substantial investment in achieving these outcomes. The project period for most applications is two years (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027), with construction projects potentially extending to four years, allowing for tangible progress in transitioning to green transportation.

The City of Fort Collins and the Department of Neighborhood Services offer neighborhood grants to foster positive neighboring activities and community improvements. These grants provide financial assistance to encourage community resiliency by fulfilling needs identified by neighbors through solutions developed by neighbors. The program aligns with the City's mission to bring people together, serve underrepresented communities, and promote sustainable choices. The target beneficiaries for these grants include residents, residents associations, homeowners associations, and nonprofits within Fort Collins city boundaries. The impact goals are to strengthen community connections, enhance neighborhood environments, and empower residents to address local challenges collaboratively. The program prioritizes projects that encourage creative ideas to improve neighborhoods and foster connections between neighbors. While the specific "Foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change" are not explicitly detailed as a separate entity, the grant program itself serves as a strategic initiative of the City of Fort Collins and its Department of Neighborhood Services. Their theory of change appears to be that by providing financial assistance and encouraging neighbor-led solutions, they can build stronger, more resilient communities. Expected outcomes include a variety of community improvements, ranging from cleanup events and community gardens to sustainable block parties. Measurable results would be evidenced by the successful implementation of diverse projects that enhance neighborhood life and promote neighbor-to-neighbor engagement. The funding range of $150-$1000 also provides a framework for the scale of these community-led initiatives.

The City of Lacey is offering its Human Services Grant Program to support non-profit human service providers. This program aligns with the city's mission to enhance community well-being by addressing critical needs in housing, survival, and security. The grant provides funding up to $300,000, with a total size ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, to organizations that directly serve Lacey community members. The program aims to create a stronger, more resilient community by investing in services that provide fundamental support to its residents. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are Lacey community members who are vulnerable or in need of support. Non-profit human service providers are the direct recipients of the funding, enabling them to expand or improve their services. The impact goals are broad, aiming to improve the overall quality of life for residents by addressing immediate needs and promoting long-term stability and self-sufficiency. The program's priorities and focus areas are clearly defined across three key pillars: Housing, Survival, and Security. Housing initiatives include expanding affordable housing programs, providing emergency rental assistance, offering housing education, and establishing supportive housing services. Survival focuses on ensuring access to basic necessities such as food, water, shelter, sleep, and clothing. Security encompasses job training and placement, mental and physical health care, drug and alcohol recovery services, support during personal or family crises, and transportation. Expected outcomes include a significant improvement in access to affordable housing, a reduction in homelessness, and increased stability for residents. In the area of survival, the program anticipates enhanced access to essential resources for vulnerable populations. For security, measurable results will include improved employment rates, better access to healthcare and recovery services, and stronger community support systems during times of crisis. The program's strategic priority is to empower non-profit organizations to deliver effective, community-centric services that directly address the social determinants of health and well-being.

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. TIB typically issues a call for projects each June for the next year's funding program. The TIB application process follows these steps: Decide which TIB Funding programs your agency is eligible for. Download the appropriate funding application and complete a separate application for each project you want to be considered for funding. Funding applications are made available in June. Submit/postmark your application by the application due date - typically near the end of August. TIB engineering staff will begin reviewing and scoring all applications in September. TIB uses a priority array process for each funding program to identify projects that best meet the intent of the program. Criteria are developed by the Board in cooperation with local agencies. TIB staff present a list of recommended projects to the board at the November meeting. If your project is selected, you will be contacted by TIB engineering staff about what steps to take next.

This funding opportunity supports local agencies, tribes, and nonprofit organizations in Washington to develop and manage outdoor recreation activities while promoting responsible use and law enforcement for nonhighway and off-road vehicle activities.

This grant provides funding for tourism-based marketing projects in Grays Harbor County, Washington, aimed at attracting visitors from outside the local area to promote overnight stays and tourism-related commerce.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to non-profit organizations, government agencies, and tourism-related facilities in Grays Harbor County, Washington, to enhance festivals and events that attract tourists.

This program provides financial assistance to eligible intercity bus operators to enhance security measures and protect against terrorism, focusing on critical transportation infrastructure and public safety.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to businesses, non-profits, and government agencies in Grays Harbor County for tourism-related events and activities that attract visitors to the area.

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 grant provides financial support to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington that focus on addressing basic human needs, community support, education, and enrichment programs.

This fellowship program supports emerging leaders from communities of color and low-income backgrounds in King and Pierce Counties, Washington, by providing education and resources to prepare them for impactful civic roles in local government.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations in Duvall, Washington, that provide essential services to vulnerable residents, including children, seniors, and families, ensuring access to food, shelter, employment, and mental health support.

This grant provides funding to empower community leaders who have experienced forced displacement, supporting innovative projects that foster collaboration and integration between refugees and local communities in select U.S. states.