BSK: Non-BSK Funding Opportunities July - Sept Deadlines & Rolling Deadlines

We will always promote our Best Starts funding opportunities here on the blog and our website. But we’re also posting a monthly blog series, highlighting funding opportunities from other agencies and organizations that support groups that promote the health and well-being of our babies, children, and young people

BSK: Help Me Grow RFP – apply by July 18!     

The Help Me Grow King County (HMGKC) strategy ensures that families, especially those facing systemic barriers, can access community-rooted and linguistically responsive support for their children to thrive during the prenatal to five period.  We’re seeking to invest in HMGKC Family Connection Partners, who will connect families, parents, and caregivers to the services and resources they need. Partners will provide warm connections to services and resources, ensuring that families receive direct support – not just referrals – to navigate systems effectively. This means trusted community organizations walk alongside parents and caregivers to connect them with what they need in a relational, culturally rooted, and accessible way.  This funding opportunity is open to nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, tribes, tribal organizations, and public or governmental agencies serving communities in King County. Small nonprofits and community-based organizations are strongly encouraged to apply. We strongly encourage anyone interested in applying to attend our information session to learn more: Thursday, June 26, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. & Monday, June 30, 2025, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

VSHSL: Human Services Workforce Stabilization (FS 6) Apply by July 18, 2025

A new funding opportunity is available from the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) to improve staff recruitment and retention within eligible organizations with active VSHSL awards who are currently providing human services in King County.  This investment anticipates providers will implement a diverse array of workforce stabilization programs that match variations in funding sources, programming, and organizational structures.

BSK: IECMH Certificate Program apply by July 25!

The IECMH Certificate Program is a 14-month evidence-based curriculum that covers foundational principles of early childhood within a racial justice frame centering the voices and experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. It is an innovative, intentionally curated program breaking barriers of access for peer learning. Diverse and equity-centered IECMH topics are facilitated by a group of passionate IECMH leaders.

King County Local Food Infrastructure Grant Apply by Thursday, July 31 @ 11:59 p.m.

Click here to apply for a small-scale grant or here to apply for a large-scale grant! Details: The Local Food System Infrastructure Grant Program provides one-time funding to strengthen King County’s regional food system by supporting critical infrastructure projects. The program will provide grants to eligible organizations and businesses for projects that enhance cold storage, aggregation, and local food processing capacity. Eligible applicants may include hunger relief organizations, small to mid-sized farm businesses, food hubs, and nonprofit organizations that connect local farms with buyers and communities. There is small-scale funding for projects up to $25,000 and large-scale funding for projects between $25,000 and $100,000. For more details, please visit the grant website here, or if you have questions, email capacity@harvestagainsthunger.org

OCVA Healing, Support and Transition Services 2025-2027 - Due Wed Aug 13

 OCVA (Office of Crime Victims Advocacy) seeks proposals from qualified non-profit organizations, tribes and tribal organizations located in underserved areas of the state, to provide healing, support and transition services. Services will be available to adults 18 and older who have experienced sex trafficking. Questions? Contact the RFP Coordinator - Matthew.Flores@commerce.wa.govBidder's Conference: For non-profit organizations: A bidder’s conference will be held Monday, July 21, 2025, at 10:00AM PST. Email the RFP Coordinator by July 20, 2025, to receive a meeting link. For tribes and tribal organizations: A separate session specifically for tribal bidders will be held Monday, July 21, 2025 at 1:00PM PST. Attend the July 21 pre-application conference (on Zoom)

KCRHA: 2025 Quarter Three Severe Weather RFQ Aug 11, 2025

The purpose of the Quarter 3 Severe Weather Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is to identify organizations in King County that have an interest in applying for and receiving severe weather funding from KCRHA. This RFQ is seeking qualifications from agencies interested in providing severe weather services for youth, single adults, and/or families currently experiencing homelessness. KCRHA is seeking to pre-approve agencies for severe weather response which includes providing secure and dignified temporary emergency shelters and essential supplies for unhoused individuals seeking refuge from adverse weather conditions such as snow, smoke, extreme heat and cold, extreme wind or rain, and other severe weather events

BSK: Workforce Development Mini Grants RFA – apply by August 11!     

By providing funding to the Prenatal to Five workforce, we aim to encourage organizations to assess their own staff and community needs to determine what trainings, resources and professional development opportunities would address their unique needs on Early Childhood Development, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, and Racial Equity.

Puget Sound Energy Solar Grant Apply by Wednesday, August 13 @ 5 p.m.

Find the application form here! Details: Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is offering $750,000 in competitive funding to community-based organizations, government agencies, and tribal organizations in PSE’s electric service area to install solar at their property. Priority will be given to applicants serving communities with the deepest need including low-income and historically marginalized communities. It is highly recommended you reach out to Spark Northwest for free grant writing assistance through this intake form. Request for grant writing assistance is due Thursday, July 31. For more details, please visit the grant website here, or if you have questions, email solarfunding@pse.com

Dept of Commerce: OCVA Healing, Support & Transition Services 2025-2027 Closes Aug 13, 2025

Per Chapter 268, Laws of 2023, OCVA seeks proposals from qualified non-profit organizations, tribes and tribal organizations located in underserved areas of the state, to provide healing, support and transition services. Services will be available to adults 18 and older who have experienced sex trafficking. Bidders conference, attendance is encouraged but not required. The conference will end once all questions have been addressed.

• For non-profit organizations: A bidder’s conference will be held Monday, July 21, 2025, at 10:00AM PST. Email the RFP Coordinator by July 20, 2025, to receive a meeting link.

• For tribes and tribal organizations: A separate session specifically for tribal bidders will be held Monday, July 21, 2025 at 1:00PM PST.

  • Attend the July 21 pre-application conference (on Zoom)

King Conservation District Regional Food System Grant Program Apply by Mon, Aug 25 @ 5 p.m.

Apply now at this link! Details: This grant supports projects that strengthen the local food system in King County and advance climate resilience, food access, and community equity. The King Conservation District invites proposals in these categories: Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices, Produce Quality and Health, Capacity Building for Resiliency. Grant awards range from $25,000 to $100,000, with $440,000 in total funding available. The maximum project period is two years starting in January 2026. For more details, please visit the grant website here, or if you have questions, contact Jessica Saavedra by email at Jessica.Saavedra@kingcd.org or by phone at 425-773-9065.

VOCA By and For Victim Services - Due Tue Sep 2

 Funding is available to develop and enhance healing-centered, culturally and community specific support services for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and unserved individuals who have experienced hurt, harm or crime. Services and activities must be provided by organizations that are operated by and for the community to be served. This application supports the section of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) State Plan that focuses on programs run by and for communities that have been historically marginalized. Eligibility is restricted to applicants that can demonstrate they are culturally based, directed, and substantially controlled by individuals from the specific BIPOC/unserved population served. Bidder's Conference: For non-profits and community-based organizations: A bidder’s conference will be held July 30, 2025 at 11 a.m. PT. Email Matthew.Flores@commerce.wa.gov by July 29, 2025 to receive a meeting link. For tribal communities: A separate session specifically for tribal bidders will be held Monday, July 30, 2025 at 1 p.m. PT. Attend the July 30 pre-conference for tribal communities (on Zoom)

NW Children’s Foundation Grant Apply by Friday, September 5 @ 11:59 p.m

Apply now at this link! Details: This funding will go toward programs that focus on the prevention, early intervention, and treatment of child abuse, neglect, and trauma. Programs must aim to support children, strengthen families, and empower youth. NW Children’s Foundation prioritizes programs that focus on children, youth, and families who are in the foster care system, and/or experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, abuse, neglect, and other trauma. Grants generally range from $5,000 to $20,000. For more details, please visit the grant website here, or if you have questions, contact NW Children’s Foundation by email at office@nwcf.org.

Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) - Due Fri Sep 26

 Commerce is now accepting applications for a new round of Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) grants. Application materials are available on the CHIP webpage. CHIP connects affordable housing projects to utility systems, and can reimburse costs associated with water, sewer and stormwater improvements and waived system development charges. This includes upsizing water and sewer lines to serve increased density, and water and sewer line extensions to serve new affordable housing developments. CHIP is offering a range of funding options to support the development of affordable housing: $55 million for all eligible jurisdictions. $30 million for projects serving low-income households in jurisdictions with 150,000 or fewer residents. Questions? Contact the CHIP Program Manager - Mischa.Venables@commerce.wa.gov

Applications open for affordable homeownership projects - Due Fri Sep 26

 The Department of Commerce is soliciting applications for affordable housing projects seeking funding in the 2025 funding cycle for homeownership projects. There is about $70 million available, and the amount of funds awarded depends on the number of applications received and project readiness. The maximum award per project is $6 million for new construction or acquisition with rehabilitation, $4 million for affordability subsidy, and $3 million for down payment assistance. Applications are due by Sept. 26. Final award decisions will be announced in December, with work slated to begin by June 2026. Funding is available for community-based organizations, housing authorities, federally recognized tribes, and local governments for the creation of new housing units, purchase and rehabilitation of new housing units, affordability subsidies, and down payment assistance for low-income households in Washington. Please download and carefully review the Notice of Funding Availability for specific information regarding funding requirements and priorities, the process for submitting an application, and significant dates. Questions? Contact the Homeownership Unit at HOUApplication@commerce.wa.gov.

Support now available for upcoming 2025-27 Early Learning Facilities grants - Opens Mon Sept. 1st and due Fri Oct. 31

 Early Learning Facilities (ELF) funding is open to nonprofits, public entities, K-12 schools and districts, tribes and for-profit businesses. The type of eligible applicant depends on the requirements of the current funding round being released as indicated below. Nonprofit and for-profit business applicants must be registered in the State of Washington. All applicants must be able to meet all applicable licensing and certification requirements under specific RCWs and WACs pertaining to the early learning and childcare services proposed in the facilities to which the funding will be applied. To learn more about this grant opportunity and prepare for the application process, please visit the Early Learning Facilities (ELF) page. Resources are available for the 2025-2027 Expansion and Maintenance Competitive Grant. Questions? Contact the Early Learning Facilities Team at EarlyLearningFacilities@Commerce.wa.gov.

Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grants

VA grant funding is now open to community-based organizations helping prevent Veteran suicide locally. Congress has authorized $174 million to be appropriated to carry out the SSG Fox SPGP, a three-year community-based grant program that provides resources to community organizations serving certain Veterans and their families across the country. Organizations can apply for grants worth up to $750,000 and may apply to renew awards from year to year throughout the length of the program.

BSK: Now accepting applications for the Prenatal to Five Innovation Fund RFP – multiple application rounds!     

We are excited to share that the Prenatal to Five (P-5) Innovation Fund Request for Proposals (RFP) is now open! P-5 Innovation Funds aim to build up the power of Community-led Innovation to meet the emergent needs of families in King County. King County seeks community leaders to design, develop, test, and build the potential of innovative Anti-racist approaches (e.g. policies, programs, products, media, places, and services) so that ALL babies and children in King County grow up to be happy, healthy, safe, and thriving.   Proposals for this funding opportunity are accepted on an open and continuous basis:  

• Round 1 applications due: May 9, 2025 at 2PM 

• Round 2 applications due: October 3, 2025 at 2PM 

• Round 3 applications due: January 23, 2026 at 2PM

Youth Sports Grants Applications are accepted on a rolling basis

All Kids Play provides funding to families and communities who lack the resources to pay for youth sports. Grants are available to qualifying families with kids in grade K-12 and not-for-profit community-based recreational sports organizations in low-income areas on a need and first-come, first served basis as funds are available. Individual grants can be used for registration, equipment and other associated fees for sports classes, recreational leagues, and travel sports. For more details, please visit the grant website here, or if you have questions, please email info@allkidsplay.org. Apply now at this link.

Commerce Clean Energy Federal Grants Assistance

If your organization (non-profit, local government, businesses, and other groups eligible to receive Federal Funds) is looking to apply for Federal funding, please check out Commerce’s Federal Funds Grant Writing Assistance Program. This program is to support both preparation and submission of Federal Grant Applications, specifically ones focused on clean energy. You are invited to complete this Program Design Survey and share your thoughts on how the Federal Funds Grant Writing Assistance Program (FFGWAP) would be most useful to you. The survey should take 7-10 minutes to complete: survey. For more information, please reach out to Sarah Vorpahl (Commerce’s Policy and Program Alignment Manager in the Energy Division) at sarah.vorpahl@commerce.wa.gov

Horizons Foundation of Washington Grants Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Apply now at this link.

Horizons is a private family foundation whose primary purpose is to address social and environmental concerns in Washington State. They award grants to non-profits in three areas: the environment, social services, and arts and culture. Grants are awarded from as low as $1,000 and up, and grants to applicants in the Arts and Direct Emergency Services categories are typically capped at $5,000. For more details, please visit the grant website here, or if you have questions, please email horizonsfoundation1@gmail.com.

Inatai Foundation Connecting, celebrating, and building power together

Funding opportunity for community events that connect, celebrate, and build power together. Range - $2,500 - $5K. Applications Due – At least 60 days before and up to 1 year before a planned event. Inatai Foundation – Sponsorship Grants

Solidaire: Supporting Racial, Gender and Climate Justice

Solidaire’s members move money to the frontlines of social change movements in order to fund urgent needs, support bold and innovative ideas that others may not fund, and help build long-term infrastructure for the movement.

King County: Best Starts For Kids Programs and opportunities including Open Funding Opportunities

The funding calendar shares upcoming funding opportunities beginning in January of 2022 and staggered throughout the year. Please note that we will continually update this calendar as we implement Best Starts for Kids 2.0. We encourage everyone to subscribe to our newsletter and blog to receive notices whenever we post a new funding opportunity.

Social Justice Fund NW Grant Opportunities

Social Justice Fund NW provides essential resources to organizations in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming to strengthen grassroots efforts in the broad-based movement for progressive, systemic social change. Our funding prioritizes organizations that use a community organizing (see below) approach to make lasting change from the bottom up.

Department of Community and Human Services: Funding Opportunities

This page serves as a resource to agencies and individuals contracting with DCHS. There are links to required contract compliance forms, useful information about the contracting process and contact information for staff who can provide technical assistance.