BSK: Non-BSK Funding Opportunities List –May through July 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.

WSDA Food Assistance Resiliency Grants Apply by May 22, 2026

To help address critical needs of hunger relief organizations across Washington, WSDA Food Assistance (FA) Resiliency Grants Program applications are open to eligible hunger relief organizations, including those not currently participating in FA core programs. Who Should Apply? Organizations based in Washington State primarily focused on addressing food insecurity and hunger relief which may include state of Washington non-profit organizations with current tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC); or public corporations, commissions, authorities; federally recognized tribes; tribal organizations or unrecognized tribes with section 501(c)(3) status. The RG team will have Open Office Hours for applicants who have questions about the application or process on May 13, see link for Teams information.

BSK: Traditional Eyeliner: Community Outreach and Education RFA  – apply by May 29! 

This RFA seeks to fund community-based organizations to partner with Public Health – Seattle & King County to reduce exposure to lead from traditional eyeliners, commonly referred to as kajal, kohl, surma, or tiro. This project will support culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach, education, and community engagement strategies designed to increase awareness of lead exposure risks from traditional eyeliners, promote safer alternatives, and encourage blood lead testing among children in communities that use these products.   Focus communities for this RFA include South Asian, Middle Eastern, North, West, and East African communities in King County where traditional eyeliners may be commonly used. Organizations that serve communities where traditional eyeliners are regularly used on infants, children, or pregnant people are strongly encouraged to apply.  

Dept of Commerce: 2027-2029 Capital Funding available for Youth Recreational Facilities Apply by May 28, 2026

These competitive grants can fund 25% of eligible capital costs (up to $1.2 million) for non-residential facilities providing recreational opportunities for youth (grades K-12) if they are integrated with social and/or educational services. This grant opportunity is available to tribes, non-profits and community-based organizations. Commerce is offering virtual workshops to help answer questions about the application process. Attendance is not required to apply. General Applications: Register for May 5 2026 11am & Tribal Applications Attend on May 7, 2026 11am.

Early Learning Facilities: Supporting materials available now for upcoming 2027-29 grants for public school districts and tribal compact schools

Commerce plans to open the next Early Learning Facilities (ELF) funding round for public school districts and tribal compact schools on April 1. These funds can reimburse eligible costs for facility expansion of new early learning slots. To support those preparing for the application process, these key documents are now available on the Early Learning Facilities website. The application will become available April 1, and will close at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on May 30. Information about webinars and office hours can be found in the email attached above! Questions? Please contact EarlyLearningFacilities@Commerce.wa.gov

Dept of Commerce: Applications for Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition program due June 15

The Washington State Department of Commerce is accepting applications for funding for the acquisition and rapid conversion of multifamily properties for people experiencing homelessness. The funds are through Commerce’s Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition program. There is $26,722,356 available in funding. More information HERE

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.

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.