King County Grants for Nonprofits

The Norcliffe Foundation is a private family foundation established to improve the ​quality of life for all people in our community.

What we fund

Areas of support include human services, healthcare, civic and community projects, education, and arts and culture. 

Funding Areas

The foundation makes grants in the following areas: 

• Arts & Culture
• Civic & Community
• Education
• Healthcare & Research
• Human & Social Services

Grant Amounts

The Norcliffe Foundation provides support to a wide variety of organizations and projects. Grant size depends on the scope of the project and the capacity of the organization.

Nearly 60% of the grants we make are $15,000 or less.

Things to consider when determining the appropriate amount to request:

• What is the gift range already committed or pending from other funders and foundations? The Norcliffe Foundation is most interested in joining a community of funders and is rarely the largest donor to a project.
• Is there a history of funding from The Norcliffe Foundation and what is the range for those grants?

Funding Types

Funding types include:

• Capacity Building
• Capital and Infrastructure 
• Challenge or Matching
• General Operating
• Program Support ​

Liberty Mutual Foundation

At Liberty Mutual Insurance, we believe progress happens when people feel secure. By providing protection for the unexpected and delivering it with care, we help people embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow. This purpose serves as a guiding principle for our philanthropic efforts, which seek to advance security and build resiliency for vulnerable people and communities.

We support organizations that work to empower individuals who are struggling to thrive amid challenging situations. 

Types of Support:

Liberty Mutual Foundation primarily provides programmatic and general operating support to 501(C)(3) organizations. Priority is given to organizations and projects that serve low-income youth and young adults. Each year, the Foundation awards a limited number of capital grants to current partner organizations whose missions closely align with our strategic grantmaking framework. 

About

The Medina Foundation is a private family foundation working to improve lives by funding human service organizations that provide direct support to Puget Sound residents.

We support organizations across our 14 county funding region that are addressing a wide range of human services, including homelessness, youth development, education and economic opportunity.   

Since our founding in 1947, we have granted over $115 million in grant dollars resulting in countless services and programs that help make lives better.

Funding Areas

The Medina Foundation funds in the following focus areas:

Positive Pathways for Youth:Helping youth achieve positive outcomes.

We support organizations that:

• Ensure that young people’s basic needs such as safe, stable housing are met
• Mentor, tutor, and support youth as they find their own voice, achieve their own goals, and build new skills
• Support transition points through school, from early education through postsecondary, including job training

Stabilization for Families and Individuals: Ensuring basic needs are met. 

We support organizations that:

• Alleviate hunger, primarily through larger food distribution networks or rural food banks that are also a hub of additional services
• Prevent homelessness or quickly stabilize people who are experiencing homelessness
• Offer programs that prevent or reduce the effects of domestic violence, sexual assault, trauma, and abuse

Economic Opportunities: Helping people secure employment, increase income, and build assets.

We support organizations that:

• Offer job training and entrepreneurship opportunities
• Teach skills and assist with obtaining credentials needed for career advancement
• Provide financial education

What Makes a Strong Proposal

The Medina Foundation considers many qualities of an organization when reviewing proposals.

We look for organizations that are addressing critical community needs, engaging in strategic planning to meet well-mapped programmatic and financial goals, and seeing positive results through their programs. We believe organizations that are driven by strong leadership, through a diverse and engaged board and a dedicated executive director and staff, have a high likelihood of success.

Grant amounts awarded reflect both the needs of the nonprofit and the Foundation's desire to see the presence of other support. Generally, this means no more than 10% of an operating or capital budget. We do consider making exceptions for innovative start-ups. Since grant sizes vary widely, please review the grants list to see the size and types of grants that we have recently awarded. The Foundation’s median grant size is around $20,000 - $25,000.

Helping the Disadvantaged Become Self-Reliant

Gupta Family Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, USA. Our mission is to support organizations that provide focused intervention in the lives of people who have been disadvantaged in some way to help them become self-reliant. We take a very broad view of “disadvantage” to include anything that holds a person back from realizing their potential, such as poverty, physical or mental disability, social alienation, etc. The foundation also supports relief agencies that serve people affected by emergencies such as natural disasters.

The foundation evaluates and awards annual and multi-year grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000 (USD). Our focus is on funding smaller organizations all around the world that are led by individuals with a deep personal commitment to their missions. 

Our selection criteria include:

• Mission alignment
• The organization is run by the founder or, if not, by a successor who embodies the original inspiration, passion and commitment of the founder.
• At least 90% of grant monies reaches the intended beneficiaries.
• The organization is non-sectarian, i.e.,
  • It does not, directly or indirectly, support or condone the proselytization of any religion,
  • It is not supported by or affiliated to a religious organization.

Social Impact

We’re building brighter futures through technology.

Every teen has dreams, and we’re working to make sure they have the opportunity to achieve them. Our programs connect young people with resources to realize their potential and channel their talent, energy and ideas into brighter futures. We believe that with technology, training and mentorship, anything is possible.

The Best Buy Foundation™ is on a mission to build brighter futures through technology.

By partnering with nonprofit organizations that share our focus on supporting young people through tech access, career training, and the cultivation of vibrant communities, we are better able to prepare the next generation for the tech-reliant jobs of the future. Together, we open a door that transforms teens from consumers to creators – a new generation of engineers, entrepreneurs, teachers, designers and dreamers.

Community Support

The Best Buy Foundation is committed to strengthening the communities where our employees and customers live. Every year, we provide funding to local and national nonprofit partners, schools and libraries to support tech education programs for underserved youth to help them prepare for the future.

Seattle Fund

Grant funding supports organizations serving teens through technical education and career training. Funding is available in two areas of focus: Career Pathways grants support out-of-school programming focused on career development, including and especially in fields related to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics); Teens & Tech grants encourage technological exploration for teens and young people. Please note that you may only apply to one program. Preference is given to programs that emphasize cutting-edge technology and/or promote rigorous tech-related curriculum; programs that include wraparound support for participants; and programs that encourage Best Buy employee volunteerism.

Teens and Tech programs

Teens and Tech programs that encourage teens to learn, experiment and collaborate with the latest technologies, developing skills and experiences to help them succeed in their careers, contribute to their communities and lead outstanding lives.

Programs should help teens build tech skills by utilizing cutting-edge technology such as computers, digital cameras, video cameras and professional software in a wide range of areas including, but not limited to

• Audio production (including music mixing & recording)
• Website development
• Computer maintenance and repair
• UX/UI (user experience/user interface)
• Digital arts, such as graphic design and photography
• Cybersecurity
• Mobile & game app development
• 3D Animation
• Programing & coding
• Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality
• Robotics
• Green technology

Grant Program Guidelines and Expectations:

• Engage youth from disinvested communities.

• Request amount must not exceed 49% of the program budget.

• Completion of an online impact report for program evaluation purposes. Components include program length, progress made towards goals, number of program participants and demographics, Best Buy volunteer engagement (if applicable), community collaboration, technology and work life skills gained, organizational change and teen engagement.

Career Pathway programs

The Best Buy Foundation seeks nonprofit partners that provide programming outside of school time that generates interest and awareness in tech-related careers, improves access to training, credentialing and employment and supports tech career progression. Our goal is to help teens from disinvested communities obtain the tech skills and training they need to be prepared for a successful career.

Grant Program Guidelines and Expectations:

• Build awareness of the program to drive youth participation.

• Ensure access to teens from disinvested communities to programs outside of school time.

• Request amount must not exceed 49% of the program budget.

• Completion of an online impact report for program evaluation purposes. Components include program length, progress made towards goals, number of program participants and demographics, Best Buy volunteer engagement (if applicable), community collaboration, technology and work life skills gained, organizational change and teen engagement.

Apply for a grant

NW Children’s Foundation works to end the intergenerational cycle of child abuse, neglect, and trauma. We are committed to advancing trust-based philanthropy, recognizing the equally valuable contributions of funders, grant-seeking nonprofits, and the communities they serve in advancing equity and racial justice.

Our funding is focused on prevention, early intervention, and treatment to heal children, strengthen families, and empower youth. We invite child welfare organizations aligned with our mission to apply for funding.

Strategically maximizing every gift

Through our Grantmaking, we support prevention, early intervention, and treatment programs to heal children who have suffered trauma, strengthen families, and empower youth. Our grant portfolio includes a broad array of organizations – new and established, large and small, rural and urban.

To ensure our donors’ gifts can make the biggest difference, NW Children’s Foundation takes a strategic, hands-on approach in evaluating each grant candidate. 

Twice a year, our Board assesses grant requests from a wide variety of child welfare agencies. We look for a number of qualities in the agencies we select, including:

• Focus on children/youth
• Dedicated personnel
• Financial integrity
• Innovative and effective approaches to problem-solving

Once a first-level assessment has been completed, we conduct a comprehensive review, visiting each agency under consideration, seeing programs in action, and talking face-to-face with the individuals behind them.

Ignition Grants

Our Ignition Grant program reflects and supports the Federation core value of Innovation, providing up to $12,000 to cultivate new, pilot, and one-time projects that address the evolving needs of the Puget Sound Jewish community.

During the current grants cycle, proposals that address at least one of the following issues will receive priority:

• Outreach to unconnected/unaffiliated members of the Jewish community
• Outreach to Jews of Color
• Combating Antisemitism and Hate
• Collaboration Between Multiple Organizations

Arts Sustained Support

Sustained Support assists with the day-to-day needs of arts organizations over two-year cycles—this reliable, consistent support lets creativity flourish in the places that make King County a cultural hub.

 What Sustained Support Funds

Arts organizations and Local Arts Agencies all over King County use Sustained Support funding as a modest but dependable building block in their annual budgets. Sustained Support provides operational funding that organizations and agencies receive for the robustness, creativity, and quality of the overall artistic services they provide to King County residents and visitors.

For arts organizations:

• Clarity and achievement of your organization’s mission and goals.
• Community impact and support, achieved through a consistent level of programming and accessibility for audiences.
• Active role of artists in your organization’s mission and activities, and the continuity of artistic, management, and board personnel.
• Financial accountability as demonstrated through board oversight, audience revenue, and contributed income.

For local arts agencies (LAAs):

• Quality, scope, diversity, and impact of your annual programming.
• Commitment of local government through dedicated staff, commission structure, and annual financial investment in cultural programming.
• Responsiveness to community needs—including diverse populations—through strategic planning, programming, funding, collaboration, technical assistance, convening, and communications.
• Growth and development of resources, scope, impact, and community participation.

Geographic Equity Enhancement

4Culture recognizes that where an organization is based or provides its services can affect access to funding and other resources. Many cultural organizations in greater King County have less access to public and private support than those located in Seattle. To take a step towards balancing these disparities, 4Culture will give a modest award increase to the 2021 Sustained Support awards for organizations located outside the City of Seattle, and for organizations located in Seattle in a 2010 US Census tract area with a Communities of Opportunity index percentile of 60% or greater.

Communities of Opportunity (COO) is a partnership and initiative of the Seattle Foundation and King County, whose purpose is to direct resources where they can have the greatest impact while overcome ongoing patterns of underfunding. Annual measures of life and health indicators by census tract are averaged over multiple years and combined to create a single index. 4Culture will use this index for the 2021 Sustained Support cycle to guide award increases toward applicants located in Communities of Opportunity.

Public Benefit: Why It Matters

Every time a visitor to Washington State stays in a hotel, they pay a Lodging Tax—this is where our funding comes from, and our mission is to put it back into the community. As you work through your application, tell us exactly how your fellow King County residents will be able to enjoy and learn from your work. Here are some ways you can provide public benefit:

• Free performances, exhibitions, workshops, screenings, or readings.
• Events in the often under-served areas of suburban or rural King County, to low-income, youth and senior groups, individuals with limited physical abilities, recent immigrants, or residents from minority races or ethnicities.
• Free, electronically accessible materials, including literary publications, audio, or video recordings.

Preservation Sustained Support

Sustained Support assists with the day-to-day needs of preservation organizations over two-year cycles, providing a reliable funding source that promotes stewardship, advocacy and educational opportunities around historic preservation.

What Sustained Support Funds

Preservation Sustained Support typically provides operating funds to groups all over King County for two calendar years with allocations made annually. These awards provide unrestricted support to organizations that have a track record of delivering historic preservation programs and services, for the benefit of the public.

You can use this grant for:

• Annual operating expenses related to preservation programs and activities that are accessible to King County residents and visitors and provide public benefit.
• Staff salaries, utilities, supplies, fees, or consultant services.

Criteria

For this particular grant, we focus on different criteria depending on how your organization is structured and what type of work you do. Below we outline the different types of groups that can typically apply, and what we look for—please contact us if you’re unsure of what category you fit into.

For non-profit organizations and development authorities:

• Quality of programs related to historic preservation, as well as diversity and reach of programs available to the public.
• Tangible contribution to the preservation, conservation, or interpretation of King County’s built environment. Focus on resources that represent neglected aspects of the built environment.
• Public benefit, which may include accessibility of services, open hours of facilities, community outreach and efforts to expand or diversify audience, membership, staff, and leadership.
• Experienced staff, volunteers, and/or board, with background or training in historic preservation or a closely related field. Sound management and oversight by a governing board.
• Community support for an organization as reflected in its financial information, including cash and in-kind contributions from volunteers, the community, and/or partnering governments. The portion of your budget devoted specifically to preservation activities.

For municipalities:

• Volume and impact of activity, as reflected in surveys and inventories, landmark designations, and design review.
• Additional program offerings, such as design guidance, technical assistance, grant-making programs, and tours or events related to preservation.
• Community engagement, as reflected in advocacy, partnerships, and volunteerism. Community outreach, including efforts to expand or diversify audiences, and efforts to diversify commission or board leadership.
• Commitment of local government as demonstrated through staff time dedicated to historic preservation and annual investment in preservation activity.

Geographic Equity Enhancement

4Culture recognizes that where an organization is based or provides its services can affect access to funding and other resources. Many cultural organizations in greater King County have less access to public and private support than those located in Seattle. To take a step towards balancing these disparities, 4Culture will give a modest award increase to the 2021 Sustained Support awards for organizations located outside the City of Seattle, and for organizations located in Seattle in a 2010 US Census tract area with a Communities of Opportunity index percentile of 60% or greater.

Communities of Opportunity (COO) is a partnership and initiative of the Seattle Foundation and King County, whose purpose is to direct resources where they can have the greatest impact while overcome ongoing patterns of underfunding. Annual measures of life and health indicators by census tract are averaged over multiple years and combined to create a single index. 4Culture will use this index for the 2021 Sustained Support cycle to guide award increases toward applicants located in Communities of Opportunity.

Public Benefit: Why It Matters

Every time a visitor to Washington State stays in a hotel, they pay a Lodging Tax—this is where our funding comes from, and our mission is to put it back into the community. As you work through your application, tell us exactly how your fellow King County residents will be able to enjoy and learn from your work. Here are some ways you can provide public benefit:

• Free performances, exhibitions, workshops, screenings, or readings.
• Events in the often under-served areas of suburban or rural King County, to low-income, youth and senior groups, individuals with limited physical abilities, recent immigrants, or residents from minority races or ethnicities.
• Free, electronically accessible materials, including literary publications, audio, or video recordings.

Building for Equity: Cultural Facilities

Building for Equity: Cultural Facilities grants provide funding for building, remodeling, and buying specialized space that houses and facilitates cultural work in King County. A total of $1,100,000 is available in the funding pool.

This grant is a part of 4Culture and King County’s Building for Equity initiative to support cultural building projects and create a pathway to racial equity in cultural facilities funding. To help us achieve this goal, applicants must show an ongoing commitment to a racial equity practice, fill out the Equity in Development and Construction Assessment, and projects receiving $100,000 or more will be required to meet a Cultural Space Contribution Requirement.

Why Racial Equity?

With a focus on racial equity, 4Culture funds, supports, and advocates for culture to enhance the quality of life in King County. We acknowledge that systematic inequity takes many forms—racism, sexism, ableism, transphobia, heterosexualism, and more. Our focus on racial equity provides us with the tools we use to dismantle all oppressions.

By centering communities that have historically faced barriers to purchasing and stewarding cultural space, Building for Equity is modeling a new facilities funding program. The goal of this program is to create pathways toward a racially equitable cultural landscape in King County.

Cultural Equipment

Museum shelving, stage lights, ceramic kilns—on their own they may not seem like much, but in the hands of King County’s incredible cultural organizations, they add up to a lot. Our Cultural Equipment grants support those critical needs.

What Cultural Equipment Funds

Cultural Equipment grants fund the purchase and installation of equipment that can be considered as fixed assets, including computer hardware. We award these grants in amounts ranging from a minimum of $1,000 to $10,000, and projects often receive partial funding.

Criteria

We fund all of our grants through a competitive process, carefully evaluating each application.

For this particular grant, we’ll look to see how well your project shows the following:

• Quality and qualifications: The reasoning behind your proposed equipment purchase, how carefully it has been planned, how it relates to your organization’s mission, and how central it is to the services your organization provides to King County residents and visitors.
• Equipment Priorities: Projects that provide opportunities for youth, historically marginalized communities or audiences outside of Seattle will be prioritized if all above criteria are met.
• Feasibility: Your ability to complete this project and take care of the equipment, demonstrated by the financial stability of your organization shown in your operating financial statements and the expertise of those who will select and maintain the equipment.
• Project impact: The impact of this specific equipment on your organization and its community, and how the community supports the project and will benefit from its use. We consider your audience in terms of geographic, cultural, ethnic, artistic, and/or heritage definitions. Frequency of use is a factor, and shared use by multiple groups is a plus, but only if it makes sense for all groups.

Applications from historically marginalized geographic areas and communities, and ADA projects will be prioritized if above criteria are met.

Public Benefit: Why It Matters

Every time a visitor to Washington State stays in a hotel, they pay a Lodging Tax—this is where our funding comes from, and our mission is to put it back into the community. As you work through your application, tell us exactly how your fellow King County residents will be able to enjoy and learn from your work. Here are some ways you can provide public benefit with equipment:

• Using the equipment we fund to create free performances, exhibitions, workshops, screenings, or readings, or to take care of collections that reflect all of King County’s residents.
• Use of the equipment in areas of suburban or rural King County, or by low-income, youth and senior groups, individuals with limited physical abilities, recent immigrants, or residents from minority races or ethnicities.
• Purchasing equipment that broadens your ability to reach individuals with disabilities or makes your programs or facility more accessible to them.
• Sharing the equipment you purchase with other cultural groups at no cost or low cost.

Emergency and Unforeseen

We know that cultural work comes with unexpected building costs, whether it’s good—an opportunity for a lease or property—or bad—fires, floods, and other damage. This grant is always open as long as funds are available and operates on a faster schedule to help meet those needs.

What Emergency and Unforeseen Funds

Emergency and Unforeseen grants meet a wide variety of unexpected facility needs for cultural organizations, and our funds are only available for actual costs incurred to repair or renovate cultural spaces. This grant starts with a conversation with 4Culture staff, and we keep in touch as you prepare your application. The kinds of documents you’ll submit will depend on the nature of your facility project.

Criteria

We carefully evaluate each of our grant applications. We want to see that you have a good plan behind your project, and that your organization is exploring and sharing King County culture in a meaningful, accessible way.

For this particular grant, we’ll look at the following:

• The quality and importance of the project. If it’s an emergency, we’ll evaluate the immediacy of need and whether there’s a clear plan for resolving the crisis; if it’s an opportunity, the ability of this project to further the organization’s mission will be assessed.
• Your organization’s ability to successfully manage your project and the impact of the project when completed, as demonstrated by your operating budget and financial statements and the qualifications of those who will be involved in executing the project.
• The extent of community support, which may include, but is not limited to, community involvement, endorsements, and in-kind or cash donations from individuals, foundations, corporations, or other government sources.
• The impact of your project on your organization’s ability to serve the community. If the project involves a landmark, the extent to which the project will aid in the long-term preservation and continued use of the property.

Public Benefit: Why It Matters

Every time a visitor to Washington State stays in a hotel, they pay a Lodging Tax—this is where our funding comes from, and our mission is to put it back into the community. As you work through your application, tell us exactly how your fellow King County residents will be able to enjoy and learn from your project. Here are some ways you can provide public benefit:

• Free performances, exhibitions, workshops, screenings, or readings.
• Events in the often under-served areas of suburban or rural King County, to low-income, youth and senior groups, individuals with limited physical abilities, recent immigrants, or residents from minority races or ethnicities.
• Free, electronically accessible materials, including literary publications, audio, or video recordings.

Art Projects

Art Projects grants help fuel the experiences that make up the cultural fabric of King County. If you are sharing your work with the public, we can help you bring your ideas to life.

What Art Projects Funds

Artists and arts groups all over King County use Projects grants to create and share their work.

Criteria

We fund these grants through a competitive process. For this particular grant, the panel will carefully evaluate your application using the following:

Core Criteria:

• Art is the primary component of your project.
• The budget for your project is feasible and you’ve requested an appropriate amount of funding.
• You have described one or more compelling, feasible public events in King County.
• If your project and/or public event is intended to support people or communities historically marginalized in King County, you have outlined why and how this will take place.
• Relevant work samples or other documentation that supports your application has been provided.
• Group applicants must demonstrate that they have or will hire artists and/or arts professionals with relevant experience to achieve the project.

Art Projects also gives you the opportunity to let the panel know how you’d like to have your project evaluated. You must select one of the following three Choice Criteria for the panel to use when they review your application: 

Choice Criteria:

• Sustained value: your project shows a dedication to artistic discipline and form over an extended period of time, has consistent value, or preserves a creative and/or cultural tradition.
• Community engagement: your project provides an interactive and educational art experience beyond a public presentation, for the general public or a specific community—geographic, ethnic, youth, senior, etc—which is integral to your project.
• Artistic development: your project deeply explores or expands your discipline, medium, or concepts in new directions, and/or is a departure from your past or current work.

Public Benefit: Why It Matters

Visitors who stay in hotels and motels in King County pay sales tax. A small part of that tax generates the funds for our grants—our mission is to reinvest those funds into King County communities. Most importantly, in your application you will be asked to state specifically how fellow residents will benefit from the work you do.

Equity Investments

In order to combat inequities in our grantmaking, 4Culture is introducing Equity Investments. This practice will incorporate indicators of structural inequity into our panel process, including geographic location, income, operating budget, audiences served, and project focus. By prioritizing these factors, we intend to more equitably distribute funds to communities that have historically been excluded from cultural funding.

Each of our grant programs will implement an Equity Investment system tailored to the specific needs of its applicants; please read the After You Submit section of this page for details on how Equity Investments will function for this grant. This organization-wide change—and what we learn about its impact—is an important step towards more equitable funding at 4Culture and throughout the King County cultural sector.

Heritage Professional Development Stipend

Do you want to participate in a conference, workshop series, or skill-building sessions to gain information, skills, inspiration, practices, or approaches for your professional development and learning? These funds can help you participate, make connections, and learn new skills for your career path in the heritage field.

What Heritage Professional Development Stipend Funds

The Heritage Professional Development Stipend program provides stipends ranging from $100 to $1,000 to participate in a professional development opportunity. This stipend can be used by individuals seeking to build skills needed in the heritage field or King County-based heritage organizations to provide a training for the staffs, boards, and volunteers.

Criteria

We fund all of our grants through a competitive process, carefully evaluating each application.

For this grant, we’ll look to see how well your project shows the following:

• Research: evidence of research on the cost, the professional development or learning opportunity, and the presenting organization/trainer.
• Relevance: how well the applicant demonstrates the relevance and immediate usefulness of skills/knowledge learned, how the opportunity is relevant to their career path or the institutional needs or goals.
• Need/Goal: How clearly the applicant articulates their career goal or need to attend this opportunity, how well the applicant draws connections between the conference/training and Heritage Report or need due to COVID-19 pandemic.
• Funding: whether the affiliated institution funds professional development for staff. (Individual applicants only)

You can use this grant to:

Pay for the cost of registration and travel to participate in a professional development or learning opportunity related to career maintenance in the heritage field. These programs can take many forms, but might include conferences, workshops, technical assistance programs, training opportunities, demonstrations, and healing opportunities especially for heritage workers engaged with social justice work within the field.

Pay for professional consultants, heritage specialists, or staff time if work on the project is outside their regular work duties, materials and consumable supplies used for your project, transportation, and documentation.

Public Benefit: Why It Matters

Every time a visitor to Washington State stays in a hotel, they pay a Lodging Tax—this is where our funding comes from, and our mission is to put it back into the community. In this program, the growth of heritage professionals is a public benefit, since the King County heritage field will benefit from the work done by informed heritage professionals. In your application, tell us exactly how you will use the information and skills learned so that your fellow King County residents will be able to enjoy and learn from your professional growth.

Here are some ways you can provide public benefit:

• Use the new approach learned from a workshop to documenting and preserving material culture in King County.
• Utilize the skills gained to address a challenge within the heritage field.

Equity Investments

In order to combat inequities in our grantmaking, 4Culture is introducing Equity Investments. This practice will incorporate indicators of structural inequity into our panel process, including geographic location, income, operating budget, audiences served, and project focus. By prioritizing these factors, we intend to more equitably distribute funds to communities that have historically been excluded from cultural funding.

Mission Statement

The Beim Foundation, a multi-generational family foundation, honors the past while embracing the future. Founded over 70 years ago by Nels Christian Beim, an immigrant from Norway, the Foundation has both a Minnesota-focused granting component and a program that serves other regions of interest to the Directors. The Foundation’s philanthropic priorities favor small, community-based, and developing organizations. Grants are made in the areas of arts, environment, human services and education.

Regional Grant Program 

The Beim Foundation’s Regional Grant program is a small funding program awarding grants in specific geographic communities throughout the United States

In 2025, The Beim Foundation will accept proposals from environmental education programs or projects that serve children and youth from under-resourced communities. 

• Address ethnic and racial inequality.
• Work to heal historical or community trauma.
• Include a focus on
  • Trauma informed care and
  • Culturally competent and sensitive services

As directors are most interested in supporting programming that provides services directly to program participants, the Foundation will not consider requests that are focused on staff training, curriculum development, or program development.

Funding

Funding awards are anticipated to be in the $5,000 to $15,000 range.

Short-term projects: research, pilot, and capacity-building

There are three Nimble Grant cycles per year. Funding can be used for short-term projects, infrastructure/capacity development, planning, technology improvement, training, or policy and advocacy work.

Agencies may submit applications for a Nimble Grant at any time. Nimble Grants are for a maximum of one year and cannot be renewed.

Funding Principles

Projects funded under Nimble Grants should adhere to the following fundamental principles, ensuring that funds are allocated to projects that adhere to PHPDA’s mission and goals:

• Address the needs of underserved populations in King County facing health disparities
• Ensure access to health care resources for individuals who might otherwise not be served
• Address the systemic, structural and institutional racism and other forms of oppression that negatively impact health outcomes
• Form partnerships with other organizations seeking to address similar or overlapping health disparities 

General Operating Support for Emerging and Small Organizations Grant

General Operating Support for Emerging and Small Organizations offers small grants to support young arts organizations. Groups that do not have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and do not have Fiscal Sponsorship can apply for fiscal sponsorship when completing this grant application through our partnership with Shunpike.

Organizations that focus on the work of communities not fully or authentically represented in their region, especially those that focus on communities impacted by historical and structural inequity, are strongly encouraged to apply. Please reach out with questions and for assistance.

We will implement priorities-based criteria to ensure our limited funds are distributed equitably. This funding structure and process is strategically designed to maximize support for our growing community while aligning with the objectives in our strategic plan. We seek to keep diverse communities engaged in the creative economy, support the creative sector statewide, and emphasize cultural equity, community diversity, and sector growth. 

Definitions for this grant:

• Emerging Organizations have at least one year of experience managing their organization and providing at least one public program.
• Small Organizations have at least three years of experience managing their organization and providing regular public programming.

Partnership with Shunpike

ArtsWA is pleased to partner with Shunpike to offer fiscal sponsorship to new groups wishing to apply to the General Operating Support Emerging and Small Organizations grant program.

• Groups can apply for fiscal sponsorship within the grant application.
• Groups that apply for fiscal sponsorship within the Emerging grant application must attend a fiscal sponsorship info session with Shunpike.
  • Please register here.
• Groups that are awarded a grant and gain fiscal sponsorship under Shunpike must attend a 90-minute on-boarding session.

Please read Shunpike’s Applying for Fiscal Sponsorship document if you are seeking fiscal sponsorship. It includes important information about fiscal sponsorship, including how you will get paid.

Funding

ArtsWA’s Grants to Organizations program has experienced exponential growth since the pandemic. Our funds have not kept pace with this growth. Beginning this funding cycle our grants will be smaller than previous years. Applicants can request $6,000 for general operating expenses. Funds are distributed in equal portions over two years ($3,000 x 2). Grant amounts may vary depending on available funds and number of applications received. ArtsWA grants are reimbursement grants. Payments are made after expenses are incurred, normally at the end of your operating year.

Healthy Communities and Parks Fund - Tier 1 (WA)

The Healthy Communities & Parks Fund (HCPF), part of the Targeted Equity Grant Program, supports projects that increase access to recreation and use of parks, open spaces, and recreational facilities in underserved areas and communities. This grant program intends to reduce health disparities in various underserved communities and invest in their capacities to meet the unique needs of their residents.

Examples of Funded Projects

• Improving access to Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands by extending open hours, installing ADA trails, adding site amenities that include signage and expanded u-pick gardens, and enhancing site stewardship
• Renovating and improving the popular areas bordering the playfields of Garfield Park with historic and culturally relevant public art installations, site furnishings, a loop path, ADA ramps, inclusive play equipment, safety upgrades, and a new restroom facility
• Connecting the Latino/Latina/Latinx immigrant community in South King County with culturally relevant, multilingual parks, recreation, and outdoor opportunities through youth soccer programs, summer camps, and parent advocacy

Healthy Communities and Parks Fund - Tier 2 (WA)

The Healthy Communities & Parks Fund (HCPF), part of the Targeted Equity Grant Program, supports projects that increase access to recreation and use of parks, open spaces, and recreational facilities in underserved areas and communities. This grant program intends to reduce health disparities in various underserved communities and invest in their capacities to meet the unique needs of their residents.

Examples of Funded Projects

• Improving access to Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands by extending open hours, installing ADA trails, adding site amenities that include signage and expanded u-pick gardens, and enhancing site stewardship
• Renovating and improving the popular areas bordering the playfields of Garfield Park with historic and culturally relevant public art installations, site furnishings, a loop path, ADA ramps, inclusive play equipment, safety upgrades, and a new restroom facility
• Connecting the Latino/Latina/Latinx immigrant community in South King County with culturally relevant, multilingual parks, recreation, and outdoor opportunities through youth soccer programs, summer camps, and parent advocacy

Funding

Awards between $15,000 and $250,000

Youth and Amateur Sports Grants (WA)

Youth and Amateur Sports Grants (YASG) supports fit and healthy communities by investing in programs and capital facility projects that increase access to sports, play, and outdoor recreation. 

Why We Invest in Youth Sports

Physical activity is vital to youth development, physical health, mental health, and social emotional learning, and is also associated with better educational outcomes. The Center for Disease Control recommends that youth get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily to stay healthy. However, only 19% of youth in King County meet this recommendation according to the Healthy Youth Survey.

Disparities in access to physical activity and health outcomes are evident by race, place, and income. By investing in organizations and agencies serving low-income youth and youth of color King County Parks is working to increase youth access to and participation in physical activity.

Funding

Awards up to $250,000 for construction; $100,000 for programs

Open Space - River Corridors Grant (WA)

The Open Space – River Corridors grant program supports projects that help restore the natural functions of rivers, create or restore public access, and/or increase public awareness of river corridors as valuable natural resources. This grant program incentivizes multi-benefit projects that integrate recreation and habitat restoration with larger floodplain management efforts.

Examples of Funded Projects

• Planning for Gateway North Park, a new park along the Duwamish River in Georgetown that will feature upland restoration, passive recreational opportunities, and access to the river
• Acquiring a 17-acre parcel of undeveloped floodplain adjacent to Three Forks Park between North Bend and Snoqualmie
• Restoring critical riparian habitat along the Lower Green River in Auburn and connecting diverse youth to green jobs training and the engaging community with salmon recovery efforts

Funding

Awards up to $1 million

Touring Arts Roster Presenter Incentive Program Grant

Hire from our Touring Arts Roster and receive up to $2,500. Support local arts and bring some of the best King County performing artists to your community!

The Presenter Incentive provides up to $2,500 per calendar year to organizations who hire performing artists from our Touring Arts Roster—a juried list of some of the best performers in King County. Funding is available to Local Arts Agencies, city agencies, business associations, Sustained Support organizations, and Public Development Authorities producing free or low-cost performing arts events for their communities. Organizations and events must be located in King County.

Public Benefit: Why It Matters

Visitors who stay in hotels and motels in King County pay sales tax. A small part of that tax generates the funds for our grants—our mission is to reinvest those funds into King County communities. Most importantly, in your application you will be asked to state specifically how fellow residents will benefit from the work you do.

Equity Investments

To combat inequities in our grantmaking, 4Culture engages in the practice of making Equity Investments. This practice involves looking at several indicators of structural inequity and applying that knowledge to our peer review panel process. These indicators include but are not limited to: geographic location of applicants, operating budget, communities engaged with and audiences served, and project focus. By prioritizing these factors in our grantmaking decisions and panel review process, we anticipate funds will be distributed to communities that have historically been excluded from cultural funding.

Funding

• Reimburses 50% of artist fees for Touring Arts Roster performers only.
• $2,500 maximum per calendar year; can include multiple events.

Launch Grant

Supports the creation and growth of new and emerging cultural and science organizations in King's County. We offer operating funding.

PHSKC Centering Diverse Healers in Youth Well-Being and Mental Health

We are excited to announce the Centering Diverse Healers in Youth Well-Being and Mental Health Request for Proposal (RFP). Our goal is to center organizations, groups, and entities with close ties to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) communities in entering, accessing support and resources, and increasing representation within the broader youth mental health and healing fields. We recognize that the community holds experience and expertise in developing creative solutions tailored for them, by them.

This project will include outcomes such as:

• Increasing access to mental health resources and training.
• Improving retention for youth-serving organizations that support youth mental health.
• Increasing support for diverse providers who provide youth mental health and well-being services and support.

General Operating Support for Midsized Organizations Grant

General Operating Support for Midsized Organizations offers two-year funding to arts, heritage, and culture organizations for general operating expenses. These small two-year grants support organizations in providing public arts and culture experiences.

We will implement priorities-based criteria to ensure our limited funds are distributed equitably. This funding structure and process is strategically designed to maximize support for our growing community while aligning with the objectives in our strategic plan. We seek to keep diverse communities engaged in the creative economy, support the creative sector statewide, and emphasize cultural equity, community diversity, and sector growth. 

Funding

Applicants can request up to $12,000 split across two years ($6,000 x 2) for general operating expenses. If awarded, grant amounts may vary depending on available funds.

General Operating Support for Large Organizations Grant

This grant offers two-year funding to support the day-to-day costs of arts organizations in their work of providing creative experiences with and for the people of Washington State.

we will implement priorities-based criteria to ensure our limited funds are distributed equitably. This funding structure and process is strategically designed to maximize support for our growing community while aligning with the objectives in our strategic plan. We seek to keep diverse communities engaged in the creative economy, support the creative sector statewide, and emphasize cultural equity, community diversity, and sector growth.

Funding

ArtsWA’s Grants to Organizations program has experienced exponential growth since the pandemic. Our funds have not kept pace with this growth. Beginning this funding cycle, our grants will be smaller than previous years.

• Applicants can request $6,000 for general operating expenses. Funds are distributed in equal portions over two years ($3,000 x 2). Grant amounts may vary depending on available funds and number of applications received.
• ArtsWA grants are reimbursement grants. Payments are made after expenses are incurred, normally at the end of your operating year.

Arts Service Organization Support Grant

This grant offers operating support to regional and statewide non-profit arts service organizations that provide programming to support, increase, diversify, and enhance the expertise of arts professionals in the field.

What is an Arts Service Organization?

An Arts Service Organization (ASO) provides training, workshops, convenings, conferences, networking, technical assistance, and other professional development services to established and emerging arts professionals.

• Regional arts service organizations -
  • Provide professional development services for arts professionals from a minimum of three counties in one ArtsWA defined region.
  • Are based in the region where services are provided.
  • Have a minimum of 10% of the total public programming budget committed to professional development services for arts professionals in the region.
  • Region definitions:
    • Northwest Region – Island, King, Kitsap, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom
    • Southwest Region – Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, Wahkiakum
    • Central Region – Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Yakima
    • Eastern Region – Adams, Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman
• Statewide arts service organizations -
  • Primarily provide professional development opportunities, support, services, and resources to arts professionals.
  • Provide services in ten or more counties and/or an annual convening of arts professionals from across the state. Annual convening should include structured professional development components.
  • Do not perform, produce, preserve, present, or teach art.
  • Statewide ASOs are encouraged to collaborate with regional arts organizations to help meet statewide distribution of services obligation.

Funding

Applicants can request up to $12,000 split across two years for general operating expenses. If awarded, grant amounts may vary depending on panel recommendations.