BSK: Non-BSK Funding Opportunities List – January to March 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.

BSK: Capital Program RFP – submit a pre-proposal by January 14! 

Best Starts’ Capital Program provides contracts for building repairs, renovations and new construction or expansion to improve access to high quality programs and services for low-income children, young people, and families, with a priority for those serving Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. In addition, rural areas and or low-income areas with lack of access will be prioritized. The program will focus on equitable community-driven development to ensure projects are aligned with and serve communities’ needs.  

Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund Now Open

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is accepting applications for the Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund (TTPSF), which supports projects that reduce crashes and improve road safety in Tribal communities. Each year, 4% of Tribal Transportation Program funds are set aside for safety improvements. Eligible projects include developing Tribal safety plans, conducting road safety audits, improving intersections, adding pedestrian or bike safety features, and addressing hazards such as guardrails or rumble strips. Applications for FY 2026 are due January 15, 2026. Tribes may submit multiple applications, and an informational webinar will be held soon. Learn more and apply: Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund (TTPSF)

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

Dept of Commerce: Capital Project Capacity Grants for Non-Profit Organizations

Initial Project Summary - Due January 20, 2026 at 10 a.m. The Washington State Department of Commerce is soliciting applications from non-profit organizations to support planning and readiness activities for capital projects expected to be completed or shovel-ready within the next five years. This includes funding for pre-development and pre-construction work, such as feasibility studies, design, permitting, and stakeholder engagement.

BSK: PSTAA General Child Care Facilities Fund Apply by Friday, January 23 @ 8:59pm

Apply now at this link! This RFP is aimed at expanding and strengthening the early learning system in King County by supporting the construction of new Early Learning Facilities or the expansion of existing facilities. Applicants may apply for pre-development funding, renovation funds for existing facilities, or construction funding for new center-based (i.e., non-home-based) early learning child care providers and organizations. For more details, please visit the grant website here, or contact Enterprise at cellis@enterprisecommunity.org.

Dept of Commerce: CRP Post-Conviction Relief Legal Aid Grants Due Wed Feb 4, 2026 PM

Commerce’s Community Reinvestment Program (CRP) is requesting proposals to expand post-conviction legal services that help people overcome barriers to jobs, housing and education. Funding will support statewide, community-based, post-conviction relief and case assistance. Support must focus on civil and criminal legal assistance that removes systemic barriers and expands access to opportunity. Programs should prioritize individuals disproportionately impacted by the criminal legal system. Application Materials

Tribal Bidders Conference A conference for tribal nations and communities will be held on January 13, 2026 at noon

General Bidders Conference A conference will be held January 14, 2026 at noon

Dept of Commerce: Community Reinvestment Program (CRP) Due Fri Feb 13, 2026

Community Reinvestment Program (CRP) is soliciting proposals from organizations, businesses and tribes to provide support services for people returning to communities after incarceration. This includes pre- and post-release navigation, employment support, training, cross-system coordination, healing-centered practices and other supports.

• Q&A period: December 17, 2025 – January 13, 2026

• Public Pre-Proposal Conference: January 7, 2026, 2 p.m. for organizations and businesses

• Tribal Pre-Proposal Conference: January 8, 2026, 2 p.m.

Human Services Workforce Stabilization – Apply by February 19! 

The FS 6: Human Services Workforce Stabilization RFP seeks to allocate VSHSL funds to improve staff recruitment and retention within organizations that have active DCHS awards and provide human services in King County.  Funds may be used to support staff across an organization who work in King County through related expenses. Interested applicants are invited to attend one of two informational sessions to learn more about eligibility requirements, allowable uses of funds, and the application process. Both sessions will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams. 

Information Session #1  Tuesday, January 6, 2026 | 2:30–4:00 pm

Information Session #2  Friday, January 30, 2026 | 10:00–11:30 am

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

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.