Washington Grants

This program provides financial support to small businesses and nonprofits in Snohomish to help them recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the Puget Sound region of Washington State for projects in areas such as arts, education, healthcare, and community services.

This program provides financial assistance to downtown Chehalis business and property owners for exterior improvements that enhance the historical character and visual appeal of their buildings.

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 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 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 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

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 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.

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 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.

The School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) provides funding assistance to school districts that are undertaking a major new construction or modernization project. Projects must meet eligibility requirements. School districts are responsible to secure local funding for construction projects. If eligible, the State provides partial funding based on formulas, allowances, and costs related to certain aspects of a construction project called recognized project cost. The enrollment projection methodology excludes the number of students residing outside the school district who are enrolled in alternative learning experience (ALE) programs under RCW 28A.232.010. The current Student Enrollment Cohort Projections - Report 1049 are available in ICOS.

NSGP provides support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack and located within one of the specific UASI-designated eligible urban areas. The program is also designed to promote coordination and collaboration in emergency preparedness activities among public and private community representatives, as well as state and local government agencies. The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provides funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack. The intent is to integrate nonprofit preparedness activities with broader state and local preparedness efforts. It is also designed to promote coordination and collaboration in emergency preparedness activities among public and private community representatives, as well as state and local government agencies.

HSGP is comprised of three interconnected grant programs: State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) and Operation Stonegarden (OPSG). These risk-based grants assist state, local, tribal and territorial efforts in preventing, protecting against, mitigating, responding to and recovering from acts of terrorism and other threats. HSGP provides grantees with the resources required for implementation of the National Preparedness System and working toward the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient nation. Together, these three grant programs fund a range of preparedness activities, including planning, organization, equipment purchase, training, exercises and management and administration across all core capabilities and mission areas.

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 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 Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program provides funding for a broad range of land protection and outdoor recreation, including local and state parks, trails, water access, and the conservation and restoration of state land. 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.

The Youth Athletic Facilities program provides grants to buy land and develop or renovate outdoor athletic facilities such as ball fields, courts, swimming pools, mountain bike tracks, and skate parks that serve youth through the age of 18. While the program focuses on youth, RCO strongly encourages grant recipients to design facilities to serve all ages and multiple activities. An athletic facility is an outdoor facility used for playing sports or participating in competitive athletics and excludes playgrounds, tot lots, vacant lots, open or undeveloped fields, and level open space used for non-athletic play. Typical Projects Adding lights to a field to allow evening games Changing an underused tennis court to a high-demand basketball court Changing the field surface, such as installing artificial turf, to allow more games per season or more seasons when the field may be used Expanding a youth-sized softball field to accommodate broader community uses

The Nonhighway and Off-road Vehicle Activities program provides funding to develop and manage recreation opportunities for such activities as cross-country skiing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain bicycling, hunting, fishing, sightseeing, motorcycling, and riding all-terrain and four-wheel drive vehicles. A portion of the funding also is available for education and enforcement programs that encourage environmentally responsible use of the outdoors and for helping to minimize conflict between visitors through positive management techniques. Except for off-road vehicle facilities, activities supported by this program must be accessed via a non-highway road, which is a public road that was not built or maintained with gasoline tax funding. Non-highway roads are found most often in state and national forests and national parks.

The program funds projects that acquire, develop, and renovate firearm ranges and archery training and practice facilities. It was created by the Legislature in 1990 after a report assessing the needs of law enforcement, sports groups, and the public identified a need for a program and funding to support shooting facilities. Typical Projects Installing fences, berms, and other noise and safety elements Upgrading firearms and archery equipment Renovating clubhouses Building new shooting courses Funding is awarded every 2 years and comes from a portion of each concealed pistol license fee.