BSK: Non-BSK Funding Opportunities List – October to December 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

2027-2028 Human Services Grants Information Sessions

The Human Services Funding Collaborative will hold general information sessions for new applicants about the Collaborative and the city funding application process on Wednesday, October 22, and repeated on Thursday, October 23. See link for registration and more information. They will be held in person at:

• Kirkland City Hall, Peter Kirk Room,  123  5th Ave, Kirkland,  Wednesday, 10/22/25, 10:00-11:30 am

• SeaTac City Hall, Council Chambers,  4800 S 188th St, SeaTac,  Thursday, 10/23/25, 1:30-3:00 pm

Issaquah Rotary: FALL 2025 COMMUNITY GRANT APPLICATION – NOW OPEN!

Issaquah Rotary's Foundation is currently awarding grants to local non-profit groups, schools, churches, and other charitable organizations. We encourage organizations within the greater Issaquah School District to apply. Applications will be accepted from October 1 - 31, 2025. The application period will close on October 31st at 12:00 midnight PST.

VSHSL RFP for Human Services Workforce Stabilization – Apply by October 21!  

Human Services Workforce Stabilization​​ RFP seeks to allocate VSHSL funds to ​improve staff recruitment and retention within organizations with active DCHS awards providing Human Services in King County. Funds may be used to support staff across an organization who work in King County through related expenses including, but not limited to: increased wages, improved benefits, reduced cost of living such as housing, education, childcare subsidies or health insurance coverage, professional development and other training to improve service quality and staff wellness.  

Dept of Commerce: Washington State Diaper Program Apply by Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Commerce is accepting applications from qualified organizations for grant funding to purchase and distribute diapers, wipes, and other essential baby products to families in need. Priority will be given to providers serving or located in marginalized, low-income communities or communities of color. Priority will also be given to providers that help support racial equity. Individual award amounts may vary based on proposed impact, geographic coverage and demonstrated need. Applications are limited to $125,000 each fiscal year or $250,000 total.

 Support now available for upcoming 2025-27 Early Learning Facilities grants - 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.

BSK: Promoting First Relationships – Agency Training Project 2026 – apply by November 4!    

Promoting First Relationships (PFR) – Agency Training is an evidence-based curriculum that trains service providers in the use of practical, in depth, effective strategies for promoting secure and healthy relationships between caregivers and young children ages birth to five.  This RFA seeks community-based agency staff to participate in the PFR Agency Training, either Level 2 Certified Provider or Level 3 Agency Trainer training.  Eligibility: This funding opportunity is open to community-based agencies in King County with staff who have education/experience in social work, psychology, early intervention, early childhood education, home visiting, or related fields.  Attend our pre-application conference  We strongly encourage anyone interested in applying to attend our pre-application conference to learn more:  Wednesday, October 1, 2025, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm  

King County: Alan M. Painter Grants Apply by Dec 5, 2025

These grants fund community projects that help residents in King County’s unincorporated areas participate in—and be more connected to—their communities and King County. To receive funding under this program, applicants must demonstrate how their project is accessible to all residents, regardless of race, income, or language spoken. These funds may not be used for political purposes. Some examples of project types: Community enhancement projects, such as graffiti removal or neighborhood cleanup - Community-led planning or training on King County government operations and programs, opportunities for involvement with King County programs, or community priorities - Neighborhood or community signs - Community events like concerts, festivals, and education and/or safety events

Dept of Commerce Updates - Upcoming funding opportunities

• Economic Development – Housing and Workforce Strategies | $36.5 million Workforce Development: $14.5 million - These investments are administered by the Employment Security Department in partnership with Local Workforce Development Councils. Please visit Washington Workforce Association or email Krista Perez to learn more.

• Homeownership and Assets: $22 million - A competitive funding opportunity will be released in early 2026. More information to come sooner towards the release.

• Violence Prevention | $8 million - Violence prevention funding will be locally controlled and administered by Local Advisory Teams (LATs). Commerce will begin with a competitive funding opportunity to establish Local Advisory Teams, which is estimated to be released in late 2025. The Local Advisory Teams will make funding recommendations, shifting decision making to the local level for local solutions.

• Reentry Services | $3.2 million - A competitive funding opportunity for reentry services grants will be released later this fall. Currently, the program is recruiting for grant evaluators. This recruitment is specifically looking to ensure geographic diversity and representation in reentry’s evaluation committee. Please fill out Reentry's evaluator application form (Smartsheet) by Wednesday, October 29, 2025 if you are interested.

• Legal Assistance | $2.25 million - A competitive funding opportunity will be released later this fall. Question? Please use the Community Reinvestment Project contact form to connect with the CRP Team.

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

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.

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.