Issaquah Resources for Nonprofits
DSHS: We are pleased to announce that beginning with benefits in March 2025, we are transitioning eligible COFA citizens from our state-funded programs, State Family Assistance and the Food Assistance Program, to the federal programs TANF and SNAP. On March 9, 2024, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, changed immigration rules providing that Compacts of Free Association citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau who lawfully reside in the United States are eligible for certain federal public benefits, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. A change to the coding parameters in our eligibility system is required and has delayed implementation of this change. In the meantime, eligible individuals have been issued assistance from Washington’s state-funded programs. Full announcement HERE
DSHS: Federal work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program require participants who are able-bodied adults without dependents aged 18-54 to either work, participate in approved state programs or meet specific exceptions to maintain eligibility for Basic Food. If they do not participate, they are limited to three months of Basic Food during a 36-month time period. Full announcement HERE
WorkSource: Creating a Supportive Workplace for Second Chance Employees Wed, April 9, 2025, 12 – 1pm Online
Unlock the potential of all your employees, including those with criminal records. This presentation will give you practical steps to create a work environment that champions second chances and promotes success. In this presentation, you will: - Learn how to establish mentorship programs. Pair experienced employees with second-chance hires to foster growth, development and a sense of belonging. - Discover strategies for giving continuous support to employees with criminal records. Provide access to resources, training and career development opportunities. - Understand the importance of fostering an inclusive company culture that values diversity. A welcoming and inclusive culture supports second-chance employees as they reintegrate into the workforce. - Hear real-life examples and success stories from companies that have successfully integrated second-chance employees into their teams. You’ll hear first-hand how their efforts benefit both the organization and the employees.
WSDVCA: Trauma-Informed and Community-Responsive Prevention Webinar April 16 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Many of us are doing prevention in communities where the socio-political framework may differ from our prevention approaches. How do we: - Do effective social change work within communities that meets them where they’re at? - Do prevention work that still moves the needle forward on addressing the root causes of violence (systems of oppression)? - Present these concepts in a trauma-informed, culturally and community-relevant way while speaking to the lived experiences of survivors from diverse communities? Join us as we explore these questions on Wednesday, April 16th from 11am – 12:30pm on Zoom.
2025 Human Services Bus Ticket Program (HSBTP) Rolling Request for Proposal (RFP) Application is now LIVE.
This program, offered by King County’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) and King County Metro, provides discounted bus tickets to agencies supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and low-income populations. A total of $949,945 in allotment value ($94,994.50 in face value) is available, with applications reviewed monthly on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are expended. The submission deadline is September 2, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Full details, including eligibility requirements and application guidelines, are available in the RFP Guidelines. Apply now through ZoomGrants! Contact HS.BusTicketProgram@kingcounty.gov.
DSHS: May 2025 Family Resource Fair Table Sign-Up on May 15, 2025
Join us for our Family-Focused Resource Fair! We’re inviting all community partners who work with children and families to present at a display table. If your organization is involved in any way with supporting families, we would love to have you participate. Please use this form to indicate your interest in hosting a table the East King County LPA group's May 15th resource fair. Location: Bellevue Library, 1111 110th Ave NE, Bellevue Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
BSK: King County Perinatal Providers Gathering April 3, 2025
We’re excited to host our spring King County Perinatal Providers Gathering! This event is for King County birthworkers: doulas, home visitors, peer specialists, lactation consultants, midwives, and providers who support families during the perinatal period. It will be an opportunity for the perinatal provider community to gather, connect, learn, and share knowledge and experiences. We will have relationship building activities, lunch, and a discussion on navigating health insurances. Children are welcome! We will have a play space and snacks available. Time: 10:30 am – 2:30 pm Location: Mercer Island Community Center (8236 SE 24th St, Mercer Island, WA 98040) Register HERE
WA Nonprofits ONLINE: Train the Trainer: Deepening our Collective Practices 2-Part Series April 3, 2025 & April 10, 2025
As trainers, facilitators, and anyone who shapes meeting and engagement spaces, how can we best achieve our goals? How do we hold ourselves accountable for the content and the needs of participants? How do we prepare for known and unknown challenges that may emerge in real time? In addition, what are some key components of learning theory and engagement practices that support organizations seeking to transform and apply principles of equity and justice in their work? This two-part Train the Trainer series is designed to deepen our collective training practices. We will cover:
Principles of adult learning
Recognizing, celebrating, and supporting different groups of learners who come together in training spaces
Handling difficult conversations and courageous communication
Trainers as leaders and leaders as trainers
Making materials and virtual trainings more accessible to learners of all abilities
501 Commons: Wage & Benefits Survey (open until April 18, 2025)
A staff member (usually an HR/finance person or executive leader) enters information on salaries, benefits, and HR practices into a secure online portal. The aggregated data are shared in a detailed report. The 2023 Wage & Benefits Report featured salary information for 175 jobs. This salary information is also easily available for FREE to nonprofits and job seekers through the 501 Compensation Tracker. If you need assistance, contact Rita Haronian at (510) 645-1005 or survey@nonprofitcomp.com.
WA HCA: Mental Health Conditions and Behavioral Management in Supported Employment Programs: Practical Strategies for Success April 17, 2025
Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) Foundational Community Supports (FCS) team is presenting an employment focused webinar. This training is ideal for employment specialists, case managers, and mental health professionals who want to better understand the connection between mental health and workplace behavior, and how to effectively support individuals in reaching their employment goals. Individuals with mental health issues often face unique challenges in workplace settings, such as difficulties managing emotional regulation, overcoming social anxiety, or navigating workplace relationships. Understanding these challenges and learning effective behavioral management strategies are critical for professionals working to support individuals in achieving long-term employment success
WA Human Rights Commission: Join us for upcoming virtual co-learning opportunities
Thursday, April 24, 1 – 2 p.m.: Register to learn from two Snohomish County entities about strategies to help people access affordable rent.
Thursday, May 1, 1 – 2 p.m.: Register to learn how the BankWork$ program supports financial institutions in finding and hiring people from the communities they serve.
Interested in these Zoom events? Learn more on our event page at www.dfi.wa.gov/dei/events. DFI co-creates how we do this work with community, industry, and government. Thank you for partnering with us to co-create change! For more information, contact Erin Klika: erin.klika@dfi.wa.gov
BSK: Register for our Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Summit: May 16 – 18, 2025
Best Starts’ Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) strategy invites all King County providers to enhance knowledge in community and solidarity. Centering the baby in all sessions and grounding our work in equity and social justice, we will present our IECMH Guiding Principles and promote social emotional development for our prenatal to five children in King County.
WA Nonprofit Conference May 13 - 20, 2025 In-Person and Online Opportunities
Washington State Nonprofit Conference will be online May 13-14 with in-person regional WSNC locations in Spokane (Friday, May 16) and Tacoma (Tuesday, May 20). We will explore the theme “Ready for Action” through online and in-person opportunities for learning, connection, and celebration. Actions are engaging, and can spark movements, excite donors, and lead to positive change. Actions can be small or large, visible to many or meant for oneself, taken on by an individual, team, or community. You will generate new ideas and discover resources that will help you leave Ready for Action!
501 Commons: Employee Engagement Survey (open until May 25, 2025)
Employees are asked to share what factors (including their paycheck) impact how they feel about their job. Participants will be asked to anonymously rate things such as work culture, supervisory support, factors that lead to job satisfaction, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and more. All full-time and part-time employees are eligible to participate, as well as employees who work at a nonprofit elsewhere but reside in King County. To help encourage participation, we recommend you: Distribute this flyer to your employees. Use these key talking points and sample email text. Allow staff to complete the survey during work hours, which will encourage higher levels of participation and honesty. If your staff has questions about the survey (including wanting to be reassured that it's truly anonymous), send them this list of FAQs.
501 Commons: Stay updated on executive orders affecting nonprofits
In recent weeks, a series of executive orders has been signed, addressing a broad range of issues, including DEI initiatives, federal funding, civic engagement, immigration, and others. Since this is a quickly-moving news story, we recommend you bookmark this PDF created by the National Council of Nonprofits that provides frequent updates of how these EOs affect nonprofits. Please note some of these orders haven't gone into affect yet, or are being challenged in the courts. NCN is also inviting organizations to share their stories of how these executive actions may affect their work.
Disability Empowerment Center is offering an increasing array of Consulting Services to businesses, government agencies and organizations. If your company has a goal of increasing accessibility in 2025, consider one of our services
KCRHA Update: To ensure efficient and fair funding of Severe Weather activities, King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) will be using a new process going forward. This process will be used to identify a pool of qualified agencies to support the region’s emergency response to severe weather conditions and individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The 2025 Quarter One Severe Weather Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will identify agencies qualified to provide emergency services in response to severe weather. Qualified agencies will sign a Master Service Agreement (MSA) with KCRHA, if not currently contracted. Agencies with a current MSA will be required to apply through this process but will not need to sign another MSA until their current MSA expires. As funding becomes available, or need arises, KCRHA will run a shortened Request for Proposals (RFP) for agencies identified through this process. Agencies must be pre-qualified through an RFQ process to apply for severe weather funds going forward. KCRHA is seeking to pre-approve agencies for crisis response work in 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. For more information, see KCRHA’s Severe Weather webpage.
Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness: Public Benefit Trainings
In partnership with Solid Ground’s Benefits Legal Assistance and REACH, we are pleased to host the Public Benefits Are Key! training series. This series is geared towards case managers working with people experiencing homelessness – both new case managers as well as experienced providers who have questions and would like additional support in navigating these resources. You will learn what you can do as a case manager to help your client navigate the benefits process, hear key tips for avoiding barriers, and learn when to contact an attorney. This will be a practical, hands-on training.
Check out all the Coalition’s past trainings and meetings on our YouTube – https://bit.ly/homelesscoalition-youtube
BSK: Culturally Responsive Measurement Tool – Protective Factors Information Session
The Culturally Responsive Measurement Tool – Protective Factors (CRMT-PF) is a survey with 22 questions measuring five protective factors: family resilience, knowledge of parenting & child development, social supports, concrete support, and caregiver/practitioner relationships. Watch the videos below to learn about the tool and visit the CRMT-PF blog post to learn more. Use the links below to access each training video:
501 Commons: A Compliance Notice from the 501 Commons Human Resources Program
Starting on January 1, 2025, Washington State’s minimum wage will rise to $16.66 per hour, a 2.35% increase from 2024. The pay threshold for an employee to be exempt also increases. In Washington, this is a factor of the minimum wage and will increase to $1,332.80/week (or $69,305.60/year) for small employers (1-50 employees) and $1,499.40/week ($77,968.80/year) for large employers (51+ employees). Anyone paid below these thresholds must be nonexempt and paid overtime regardless of their title or job duties. Check out the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) website for a salary threshold implementation schedule. As always, in addition to meeting the pay threshold, an exempt employee must meet a duties test and be paid the same amount weekly regardless of hours worked. Seattle, SeaTac, Tukwila, Renton, Bellingham, and Burien have (or will have) higher minimum wages than the state requires.
If you need guidance, tap our HR Quick Consults service by sending an email to hrconsults@501commons.org. You can receive assistance for only $25 per 15-minute increment. We can generally respond within 72 hours. Need HR assistance on a deeper level? 501 Commons team of HR experts worked with more than 150 organizations in 2024. We provide HR Consulting Services and an HR Partners program. The partners program provides ongoing support for hiring, employee relations, HR policies, compensation, performance management, and more. The program starts at $1200/month and is much less expensive than hiring internal HR staff. Begin a conversation with us today.
501 Commons: OMB makes updates to federal grantmaking rules Effective Oct 1, 2024
The federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently published revisions to rules governing federal grantmaking to charitable nonprofits (as well as state, local, and Tribal governments) that will go into effect on October 1, 2024. The goal is to make the process of nonprofits receiving federal funding easier and more straightforward to manage. See these slides from a presentation delivered by the National Council of Nonprofits for more details. These changes should make it easier for smaller organizations and projects to receive federal funding, ensure the funds reach communities most in need, and reduce burdens on requirements and reporting for organizations seeking federal funding, as well as those already receiving federal grants. Under the current rules, organizations of all sizes have the same or similar requirements.
Find a Ride: New Trip Planner and Engagement Opportunities!
Our focus over the coming months is engaging with organizations who support King County travelers in their mobility and trip planning decisions. We are particularly interested in connecting with organizations and agencies who provide phone support and referrals for transportation. Using Find a Ride's trip planner in your day-to-day operations will provide a more accurate referral experience for your clients. As part of our "no wrong door" approach, we want to facilitate thoughtful handoffs between organizations and agencies. To arrange a demonstration and presentation of Find a Ride for your organization, please contact Laura Loe, Program Manager. Please email FindARide@hopelink.org or call 425-943-6760 and press 3. Find a Ride's service discovery website and trip planner contain transportation services across Pierce, King, and Snohomish counties. Visit www.FindARide.org for more information. Learn about our multi-phase roadmap and project updates at https://www.kcmobility.org/ococ.
Washington State Regional Outreach Representatives
Regional Outreach Representatives serve as the primary liaison between the Office of the Governor, local communities, and tribal governments statewide. They develop strategic relationships with and provide assistance to community organizations, elected officials and residents on regional and statewide issues. For King County, contact Jennifer Wood jennifer.wood@gov.wa.gov
Department of Health FREE Test-&-Go 24/7 Accessible Kiosks
NEW Kiosks across the state will offer free COVID-19, flu tests, and healthcare supplies, 24/7. Accessible kiosks are in food banks, transit stations, churches, schools, and libraries. GENERAL INFORMATION for kiosks in your community/non-profit. REQUEST FORM for kiosks in your community/non-profit. Tests include COVID-19 rapid antigen tests, multiplex rapid antigen tests (detect flu types A and B and COVID-19), and self-swab PCR tests. Learn more: DOH COVID-19 Testing. DOH website. Public Health Connection Blog Sign-up.
Good Food Exchange is an online marketplace dedicated to keeping good food on plates and out of the landfill. This platform creates a space for farms, distributors, and other organizations with surplus or recovered food to find recipients who can use it to its highest value. Food businesses and food security organizations alike can use this resource to find and share offers for edible, free or low-cost food which may have otherwise gone to waste.
BSK: Home-Based Services strategy Community Meetings
We’re launching community meetings across the county to help us create a continuum of services for our Home-based Services strategy. Our Home-based Services strategy focuses on creating systems that provide parents with resources that support healthy births, parents’ knowledge and confidence, parent-child attachment, positive childhood development, and school readiness. Learn more about our Home-based services strategy by reading our one-pager here. Starting in October we will host meetings with community organizations in different King County regions to support cultivating a collaborative and coordinated approach prior to the release of the Home-Based Services Funding Opportunity. We hope to invest in ways that inspires organizational cross-collaboration, rather than competition so families across our communities benefit and organizations have a strong referral system with one another. Register here for upcoming community meetings! Providers located and serving children and families in North and East King County will meet beginning October 14. Providers in Seattle and South King County will meet beginning October 21.
King County: Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Services Available for Nonprofits
King County and the Office of Equity and Social Justice are committed to investing in capacity building and infrastructure for community-based organizations awarded federal COVID-19 grants and contracts. To provide technical assistance and capacity building, King County has allocated $400,000 through 2022 to contract with organizations and businesses that have the expertise to provide services to potential applicants and grantees. If you’re interested in applying to receive services from one of our partners, please fill out the one page application form. Services include: • Grant-writing and grant budget development • Accounting • Grant Management • Designing data collection methods • Strategic planning • Long-term budget development • Governance structures • Standard operating policies and procedures • Staff structure • Technology solutions. For questions on eligibility, services provided, program timeline, and our partner organizations visit our website at kingcounty.gov. For further questions, contact us at oesjgrants@kingcounty.gov. I want to apply for technical assistance
ELAP: Recommended CLE for Pro Bono Attorneys: Trauma-Informed Advocacy
Many legal aid clients have experienced some form of trauma. We believe all pro bono attorneys should understand how trauma affects client-attorney interactions, which will make you a more effective advocate. Practicing Law Institute’s 1-hour CLE program “Trauma-Informed Lawyering: Strategies and Best Practices” is a must-watch for attorneys providing pro bono legal aid. It addresses how trauma can manifest in client relations and offers best practices for building trust with your clients. Read more about how to access this CLE on our blog.
3E Behavior Solutions - Professional Workplace Violence Mitigation and De-Escalation Education for Your Entire Staff
We reframe your staff's experience about workplace violence and teach them how to navigate acutely stressful situations in order to provide your organization with the safest and most positive environment to serve your communities. Reach out for more information on customized trainings, pricing options, and more.
Tesfa Program’s Ethiopian Outreach Guide
The Tesfa Program, developed this web-based toolkit to increase the capacity of providers, organizations, and decision-makers to better connect and serve local Ethiopian communities.
Share the guide with your colleagues, friends, and community!
Share your feedback — we want to continue to build on this resource! Please email Selam Misgano at smisgan066@gmail.com to tell us what you think. Do you know of similar projects? Who should we reach out to get this toolkit more widely utilized?
Invite us to present! To further spread the word of the resources and knowledge within the Outreach Guide, and our experiences serving community during the pandemic we are giving presentations to interested community members, public health and policy students, and health focused organizations, and coalitions, in and around Washington State. Email Selam Misgano at smisgan066@gmail.com to begin the conversation!
Sound Generations Geriatric Mental Health Specialist Workshops
Sound Generations has taken on the coordination of Geriatric Mental Health Specialist Workshops. These workshops have previously been coordinated by Karen Kent, LMHC, GMHS and more recently by Terri Haaga, MSW, LICSW, GMHS. These six-hour workshops held once a month provide licensed professionals with the opportunity to earn Continuing Education Units (CEU) and stay up-to-date on best practices in the geriatric mental health field. The classes offered qualify for the 100 hours of training required by the State of Washington for the Geriatric Mental Health Specialist certification.
Connect2Community Network Building the Foundation for a Healthier, More Equitable Community
We’re building a unified community information exchange (CIE) to enable care coordination between health, behavioral health, tribal, community and social service organizations in King County, WA. It will enable organizations to send, receive and follow up on electronic referrals, increase access to resources via a shared directory, and provide visibility of other organizations providing care. Find more information here. Check out our video!
InterConnection: Computer grants
are awarded to organizations that deliver necessary and valuable services to underserved communities like technology training, health care, education, and job training, but need upgraded computers to better manage their organization and improve their capacity to deliver those valuable services. Interconnection reviews nonprofit grant applications 4 times a year. Please read the eligibility information to make sure your organization is eligible. APPLICATION DEADLINES: February 28, May 31, August 31, and November 30
Communities Rise: Announcing a new Lease Amendment Toolkit for small businesses and nonprofits
Created in collaboration with the City of Seattle Office of Economic Development and Perkins Coie The Lease Amendment Toolkit is designed to give small businesses and nonprofits information and template documents so they can successfully negotiate payment plans with their landlords before the moratoriums are lifted.
WA State Surplus Program State Program Flyer - Federal Program Flyer - Veteran Program Flyer
Through the Dept of Enterprise Services (DES), all cities, counties, school districts, and most non-profits all qualify for the State Surplus Priority Program. These entities can take advantage of additional benefits available through Surplus Operations by requesting certain items before they become available for auction to the public. They also have a Federal Surplus Program as well. Small veteran owned business, educational nonprofits, nonprofit health institutions, nonprofit programs for the elderly, and veteran organizations are all eligible for the Federal program. Finally, for Veteran-Owned Small Business Programs they have a program where these small businesses can apply to receive federal surplus property through the Small Business Administration. For questions about these programs, you can reach out to agencysurpluspurch@des.wa.gov – a general mailbox that connects with the team at DES that supports this program.