Washington Local Grants

The Tourism and Cultural Investment Grant Program, offered by the City of Spokane, is designed to significantly enhance the city's tourism and cultural environment. The program's core mission is to promote cultural diversity, support various forms of cultural investment, and foster new opportunities for tourism and cultural enrichment within Spokane. This directly aligns with a broader objective of enriching the community and attracting visitors through vibrant cultural and recreational offerings. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are organizations, including non-profit, for-profit, and public agencies, that are actively involved in projects, programs, events, and facilities promoting tourism and cultural investment. The impact goals are centered on creating a more diverse and appealing cultural landscape, drawing more tourists, and ultimately boosting the local economy and quality of life for residents. The program prioritizes projects that contribute to cultural activities such as sports, arts, street/park festivals, film, culinary events, and music. This broad scope ensures that a wide array of cultural expressions can receive support, reflecting a strategic focus on comprehensive cultural development. The emphasis is on initiatives that can tangibly demonstrate their capacity to enhance Spokane's appeal as a cultural and tourist destination. Expected outcomes include an increase in diverse cultural events and attractions, a rise in tourism figures, and greater engagement from both residents and visitors in cultural activities. Measurable results would likely involve tracking the number and type of projects funded, attendance at cultural events, and economic indicators related to tourism. The City of Spokane's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this grant, involve leveraging cultural and tourism assets for community development and economic growth. The underlying theory of change appears to be that by strategically investing in cultural and tourism initiatives, the city can create a self-reinforcing cycle of cultural vibrancy, increased visitor numbers, and economic prosperity. By supporting a diverse range of cultural endeavors, the program aims to build a more dynamic and attractive city, thereby achieving its overarching goals of cultural enrichment and economic development. These grants, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, serve as catalytic investments to achieve these broader strategic objectives.

The City of Bellingham is offering a grant for parties capable of producing a special or unique public experience, referred to as a “signature event.” This grant aims to foster artistic and cultural impact within the local community and among visitors, celebrating Bellingham’s indoor food, restaurant, arts, and culture scene. While the specific foundation mission or strategic priorities are not explicitly stated as a separate entity, the City of Bellingham's Tourism Commission acts as the guiding body with clearly defined goals that serve a similar purpose, aligning with the broader civic objective of enhancing the city's appeal and economic vitality through tourism and cultural enrichment. The target beneficiaries include the local community of Bellingham, visitors (with an emphasis on Canadian tourists), and historically marginalized communities such as BIPOC and LGBTQIA+. The impact goals are multi-faceted, aiming to create meaningful artistic and cultural experiences, celebrate local culinary and arts scenes, promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, attract significant tourism (particularly overnight stays), generate secondary economic benefits, and foster a positive long-lasting impression of Bellingham/Whatcom County. The program also seeks to integrate new and emerging talent, ensuring a dynamic and evolving cultural landscape. The program prioritizes events that provide a unique and distinctive Pacific Northwest experience, avoiding replication of events found in larger cities like Seattle. A strong focus is placed on walkability, highlighting the food and restaurant scene, and incorporating local businesses, history, attractions, and environmental stewardship. Crucially, the program aims for the signature events to become self-sustaining within a few years, minimizing the long-term reliance on City funding. This reflects a strategic priority to seed initiatives that can ultimately thrive independently, contributing to the city's cultural and economic fabric for the long term. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in tourism, particularly from Canadian visitors, and a higher likelihood of overnight stays. The events are anticipated to generate numerous secondary economic benefits for local businesses. Success will also be measured by the artistic and cultural impact on the community, the level of diversity and inclusivity achieved, and the creation of a lasting positive impression of Bellingham. The long-term goal is for these events to become financially self-sufficient after three years, demonstrating a successful launch and sustainable operation, thereby contributing to the City's broader tourism and economic development objectives. Funding is committed for up to three years to provide seed money. Up to $100,000 is available for the first year, with approximately $70,000 for each of the following two years, for one or more signature events. Eligible expenses cover marketing and operational costs. Marketing activities include advertising, publicizing, and distributing information to attract tourists, as well as developing tourism expansion strategies. Operational expenses encompass typical event management costs such as supplies, equipment rentals, and venue fees. This financial structure supports the strategic objective of launching a new event and fostering its growth towards self-sustainability within the initial three-year period.

This funding opportunity supports tourism-related projects and events in Cowlitz County, Washington, aimed at attracting visitors and enhancing the local hospitality experience.

This grant provides funding to organizations and event planners for innovative projects that attract visitors to Snohomish, particularly those that encourage overnight stays and boost the local economy during the off-season.

This grant provides funding to organizations that will educate students and families in the Poverty Bay Shellfish Protection District about reducing fecal pollution through community outreach and culturally relevant materials.

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.

Promote and embrace diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility through action, education, and guidance; foster an understanding that includes, accepts, respects and appreciates each individual member of our community by:  providing information, education, and communication that facilitates understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and celebrates and respects individual differences;  recommending to the Mayor and City Council opportunities to promote programs related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and providing guidance to ensure an accessible, safe, welcoming, and inclusive government and community; and  supporting, challenging, and guiding government and the community to eliminate and prevent all forms of discrimination. Purpose of Grants Program To harness the power and enthusiasm of the local community and partner with local groups, agencies, organizations or individuals by providing funding to help make possible community programs, events and/or activities that engage, educate or involve the Edmonds community in ways that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Grant Monies Available Individual grant awards may not exceed $500. Grants Program Timeline Awards are for programs from January through June 2024. Applications are due by 4:30pm, Friday, May 24, 2024. Eligible Projects Programs, events or activities that engage the greater Edmonds community and promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Examples of such projects are: • Speakers • Films • Discussion groups • Readings • Performance • Community gatherings • Installations Funds may be used for the promotion and/or production of the project but may not be used for salaries; permanent capital acquisitions; or food, drink, prizes or other giveaways. Eligibility Criteria • Projects must fulfill one of the stated “Purposes of the Grants Program” • Projects must be located or take place within the City of Edmonds or directly engage the Edmonds community (if located beyond the City limits) • Projects must not duplicate or supplant existing programs, events or activities • While official nonprofit status is not required, grant recipients may not be for-profit entities • Applicants must demonstrate how any grant monies will leverage other cash or in-kind contributions • Projects must be completed within six months upon approval of grant award • Recipients must include acknowledgement of funding from the Edmonds DEIA Commission, including use of its logo, on all printed or e-materials Application Submittal Submit a hard-copy or PDF of the application form and any supporting materials to Megan Luttrell, 121 5th Avenue North, Edmonds, WA 98020 or by email to: [email protected]. Questions regarding the process may also be sent to the same email. Submission due by: 4:30pm, Friday, May 24, 2024.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Thurston, Lewis, or Mason counties that support youth mental health, particularly for underserved populations, through training and collaborative projects.

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 supports community-led projects in King County that address systemic issues affecting children from prenatal to age five and their families, with a focus on equity and anti-racism.

This program provides financial support to organizations and event organizers in Vancouver, Washington, to promote tourism through cultural events, festivals, and the development of tourism-related facilities.

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 funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations and groups in Tacoma for public arts projects that promote accessibility and address community needs, particularly for marginalized and underserved populations.

This grant provides financial support to local events, festivals, and tourism-related activities in Mountlake Terrace to help attract visitors and boost the local economy.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government agencies for projects that promote tourism and related activities in Centralia, Washington.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations to establish mobile clinics that deliver free childhood vaccinations to underserved communities in King County, Washington, particularly targeting uninsured and underinsured families.

This program provides financial assistance to recognized homeowners associations and informal neighborhood groups in Lacey for community projects that enhance safety, beautification, and civic engagement.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in Seattle that deliver services aimed at reducing gun violence through intervention, school safety, and community support initiatives.

This grant provides financial support for diverse artists and community organizations in Seattle to present free public performances that celebrate the city's cultural richness and engage local audiences.

This grant provides funding to non-profit organizations and public agencies that promote tourism and boost economic activity in Oak Harbor, Washington.