NAWA:Proposed Federal Grant Reform: What It Means for Washington Nonprofits

On May 29, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a far-reaching proposed rule in the Federal Register regarding federal grant reform, with the potential to significantly reshape the landscape for federal grants, cooperative agreements, and other financial assistance programs. This rule is expected to be the most substantial rewriting of federal grant policy in over a decade, and its implications for the nonprofit sector here in Washington state are potentially significant. Public comment is open until July 13, 2026. Summary of proposed changes can be found HERE. ‍ ‍

BSK: Non-BSK Funding Opportunities List – June - August 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

APPLY NOW - 2026 HSBTP Application Open

The King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is pleased to release a noncompetitive application process for the HSBTP, with allocations from DCHS and King County Metro (Metro). Through this application process, these departments are making available access to discounted bus tickets – up to $444,440 in allocation value ($4,444,400 in face value). The HSBTP provides subsidized bus tickets to eligible human service agencies serving persons who are experiencing homelessness and/or have low income. Agencies awarded an allocation pay approximately 10 percent of the value of the tickets, with King County Metro covering the remaining 90 percent of the ticket value. Please review the 2026 Human Services Bus Ticket Program before completing an application

Application Process - This year there will be no formal Request for Proposal (RFP), but instead a noncompetitive open application process.  After December 1, 2025, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis each month through September 1, 2026. Approved Agencies will receive a Letter of Agreement for a term state date of their award letter, through December 31, 2026.

Circuit 2026 Microtransit Funding Guide

Many cities believe the biggest barrier to launching microtransit, such as the Bellhop and the new RedLink,is funding. Yet cities already have access to more transportation funding tools than ever before: local budgets, special districts, state programs, regional funding, federal grants, and private partners. The real challenge is knowing how to use them together and getting creative with funding strategies. Cities are getting creative with the funding that already exists. The Circuit 2026 Microtransit Funding Guide explores the strategies cities around the country are using to fund microtransit. If your city is exploring microtransit or evaluating how to launch a program, this guide shows the real paths cities are using in 2026. Click here for more information.

2026 Food Security Capital Grant

The goal of this funding is to provide capital grants for food assistance providers to address long-term infrastructure needs. Funding must be used to purchase, replace, install, or improve essential food storage and distribution equipment, and/or to make capital investments that support food distribution operations. To that end, the County seeks to provide one-time funding to non-profits registered in Washington State or with 501c3 status that serve King County. Up to $2.75 million in funding is available to pay for or reimburse eligible costs incurred from the contract start date through July 30, 2027.

BSK: Apply for sun shades and water activity tables by June 22, 2026

Best Starts for Kids is excited to collaborate with Public Health – Seattle & King County and King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks to offer free sun shades and water activity tables to family home child cares and family, friend, and neighbor care settings! To be considered for sun shades and water activity tables, applicants must: - Live or reside in King County - Be a licensed family home child care; or - Family, friend, and neighbor caregiver. We will not be able to fulfill all requests. Priority will be given to sites with the hottest afternoon temperatures in King County and higher ratings in other disparity measures. Center-based child care sites are NOT eligible. If you received sun shades last year, you are NOT eligible for additional sun shades but can request a water activity table.

Catherine Holmes Wilkins Charitable Foundation Apply by Friday, June 26 @ 11:59 p.m.

The Catherine Holmes Wilkins Charitable Foundation was created to provide charitable grants to qualified medical research and social service agencies in the Puget Sound region. Organizations must operate within or significantly affect the residents of the Greater Seattle region: Tacoma to Everett, Seattle and the Eastside. The foundation’s funding priorities are:

• Medical Research: Medical and academic centers conducting research and training in areas of cancer, heart disease, and mental illness.

• Physically or mentally disabled: Community nonprofit organizations providing direct social services to people with physical or mental disabilities who are primarily low-income or destitute.

• Humanitarian services: Community-based programs providing immediate support to those in need with a particular emphasis on services for abused women and children.

Preference will be given to projects rather than ongoing operating expenses. When funding capital campaigns, preference will be given to smaller campaigns where modest contributions may have an impact. Average grant size ranges from $2,000 to $5,000. For more details, please visit the grant website here, or contact the foundation at wa.grantmaking@bofa.com. Please include the foundation name in the subject line.

Bank of America Charitable Foundation Grants Apply by Monday, June 29.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation aims to advance social mobility and economic opportunity through ensuring basic human needs, creating income, providing stable housing, and empowering communities. Applicants must be a 501©3 nonprofit organization not operating through a fiscal agent or sponsor. This cycle, the foundation is focused on:

• Providing stable housing: Ensuring affordable housing solutions and services through creation and preservation of affordable housing, long-term rental housing and home ownership opportunities.

• Empowering communities: Ensuring inclusive, thriving communities – groups of likeminded people - focused on systemic reform, community leader development, neighborhood revitalization, environmental concerns and the continuation of arts and culture.

For more details, please visit the grant website here, or contact the Bank of America Charitable Foundation at foundation@bofa.com or 800-218-9946.

Alaska Airlines Requesting Applications for Nonprofits for $5K-$20K Grants Supporting Youth Career Readiness Apply by June 30

This funding opportunity supports nonprofits dedicated to expanding career pathways for young people ages 11–24, with a focus on building excitement and readiness for future employment. Priority areas include career exploration and hands-on, career-connected learning experiences, as well as the development of soft skills, critical thinking, leadership, and job training. Grants are intended for general program support rather than specific projects. Typical grant size is $5K - $20K.

King County Youth Diversion and Intervention Program Applications Due July 15, 2026

DCHS is seeking to award up to $3 million to providers for community navigation and support to youth ages 11-17 referred by law enforcement to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for involvement in alleged behavior that could result in misdemeanor criminal cases. Services also extend to young people’s families and impacted community members who have experienced harm as a result of the referring incident.

BSK: King County Youth Healing Project Apply by July 21, 2026

The Youth Healing Project is a youth-led community funding effort that provides resources and support to organizations and young leaders advancing solutions that improve the mental health, connection, and well-being of young people ages 14-24 in King County. There are two separate applicant tracks: - Youth applicants are young people between ages 14-24 who are interested in leading projects either collectively with another group of youth or on their own. These young people are well versed or interested in youth leadership development and should be interested in youth mental health and growing their leadership skills. Youth applicants can apply for up to $9,999. - Organization applicants are organizations within King County well suited to support and mentor a group of young people in leadership development as well as peer-to-peer mental health support. These organizations will have experience working with and training young people to lead their own projects as well as learn more about supporting the wellbeing of other young people. Organization applicants can apply for up to $50,000. Please review proposal request information HERE

HUD: Youth Homelessness Program Apply by Aug 10, 2026

HUD has released a funding opportunity for its Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) and its Youth Homelessness Systems Improvement (YHSI) Program. Funding under both programs will demonstrate how youth homelessness can be dramatically reduced using a comprehensive approach. This includes a variety of approaches, eligible activities, and projects that address not only housing needs, but also needs for services related to chronic physical health or mental health conditions, substance use disorders, domestic violence or childhood abuse, and barriers to employment. With YHDP funding, HUD anticipates providing funding to between 24 and 50 communities to implement housing and services projects, with a priority for communities with substantial rural populations in up to 16 locations. With YHSI funding, HUD will select approximately 49 communities to support in establishing and implementing a response system for youth homelessness or for improving their existing response system. If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact: HUD Office of Community Planning and Development youthdemo@hud.gov

ArtsFund: Community Accelerator Grant Program Apply by Aug 21, 2026

The program, now in its fourth year, provides unrestricted grants to cultural nonprofit organizations across Washington state. Funded by Allen Family Philanthropies, Year 4 of the Community Accelerator Grant program will provide unrestricted grants for cultural organizations across Washington State in amounts of $2,500 to $25,000.   Join us on Wednesday, July 8 at 12:00 p.m. for an overview of Year 4 of the Community Accelerator Grant Program! This Zoom webinar will walk prospective applicants through the application process, review the program’s updated eligibility parameters, and provide an opportunity for a question-and-answer session with ArtsFund staff. 

King County: Community Partnerships and Grants

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Apply now at this link! The Community Partnerships and Grants Program works with community organizations to develop a wide range of projects on King County Parks property. King County contributes the use of land, and as available, may provide a small grant or funding for the project. Community partners contribute other necessary resources. Partners often take on an element of maintenance and programming of the facility through a long-term agreement with Parks. For more details, please visit the grant website here, or contact ParksPartnerships@kingcounty.gov or 206-848-0699.

Murdock Charitable Trust - Strategic Project Grants

Capacity-building awards for mission-focused projects and infrastructure investment. Three-Period Letter of Inquiry (LOI) Grant Submission Cycle  Period 2: July 1 - August 10  Period 3: Oct 15 - Nov 20 

FY26 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) Funding Opportunity

NSGP (Non-profit security grant program) provides funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist or other extremist 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. The FY26 NSGP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is anticipated to be published in the Spring of 2026*. We will release further details regarding the application timeline as they become available. Until FY26 details are revealed, we are using the previous FY25 NSGP NOFO to prepare for the upcoming application period. Please visit our NSGP Applicant website for additional updates and to submit a notice of intent to apply.

Medic One Foundation Community AED Grants

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Apply now at this link! Medic One Foundation offers a limited number of grants for the purchase of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to be placed in public areas such as local government facilities, community centers, playfields, parks, and law enforcement vehicles within King and Snohomish counties. Priority will be given and grants awarded based upon demonstrated financial need, population served, location, and potential impact. Organizations must be a nonprofit or public entity. For more details, please visit the grant website here, or contact Medic One Foundation at info@mediconefoundation.org or 425-625-2137

Emergent Funds GRANT DEADLINE: EVERY 3RD THURSDAY EACH MONTH AT 5:00 P.M. PST

Emergent Fund imagines a world where frontline communities are trusted and resourced to turn catalytic moments into opportunities to rise, organize, and build liberated futures. We provide monthly, open-access, low-barrier, no-reporting grants to impacted communities for rapid response and emergent organizing. Emergent Fund builds movement power by moving resources with purpose, organizing philanthropy toward justice, and cultivating deep, trust-based relationships. Our work grows the funding, sustainability, and autonomy that our communities need to win.

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.