Edited on June 2, 2022: The application deadline has shifted to June 3 at 11 PM, PST.
We are excited to share that the Best Starts for Kids Liberation and Healing from Systemic Racism request for proposal (RFP) is now open! This funding opportunity closes on June 3 at 11 PM PST, please submit your application by then.
Click here to view the full funding opportunity details and apply.
Note: please create a log-in to view details and access the ZoomGrants webpage.
About this opportunity
The Best Starts for Kids Liberation and Healing from Systemic Racism (LHSR) strategy is seeking to partner with grassroots community-based organizations to collectively implement a community educational system that inspires young people, centers their culture, cultivates their brilliance, helps them find purpose, and prepares them to be productive citizens across King County!
We are seeking applicants who want to join the collective Liberated Village in developing a community-centered experiential learning education that will educate and liberate Black and brown scholars in King County. We seek partners who share our value of sharing knowledge, skills, power, and resources and will work together towards community-centered solutions for transformative systemic change. The LHSR strategy is formerly known as Trauma‐Informed and Restorative Practices (TIRP).
If your organization is interested in joining a collective movement that demonstrates:
- a love for co-creating
- a commitment to building authentic relationships and trust
- a passion for finding creative solutions
- a desire to create healthy and strong communities
- an excitement for experiential learning
- a belief in Black and brown excellence
Learn more about Liberation and Healing’s vision and mission
Interested applicants can apply to provide the education and experiential learning to scholar/student, parent/guardian/family member, liberated village staff and partners and school/district staff, on multiple topics including, but not limited to: economic knowledge, education enrichment, health and wellness, social justice, urban agriculture and more.
Those interested can apply either as a Liberated Village Lead or as a Liberated Village Subject Matter Expert (SME). Lead applicants are individuals/agencies that is applying to this RFP with identified partner(s). Subject Matter Experts (Expertise from lived experience and/or education) are individuals/agencies that is applying to this RFP. Both Lead Applicants and Subject Matter Experts will provide education and experiential learning to the Liberated Village.
See the full RFP document, section III for more information about this opportunity!
Eligibility:
All individuals interested in applying must meet the following eligibility:
- Reflect the communities served: It is essential to prioritize organizations that equitably reflect their serving communities. Organizations can include, Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) led grassroots organizations, non-profit organizations, community-based and small for-profit organizations, faith-based organizations, parent-led groups, community members and leaders, and women-led organizations.
- Experiential Learning Experience: Have experience using experiential learning education with children 5 through 24 years old.
- Experience Developing Positive Cultural Identity: Applicants must demonstrate the ability to support children/scholars in developing positive cultural identity, strong agency, confidence, and ability to excel in life.
- Existing Relationships: Lead Applicants who have identified partners that they will work with to meet the proposed scope of work. The budget should equitably reflect the partnership. *This is not a requirement for Subject Matter Experts.
Funding Available:
The total funding amount available for this RFP is approximately $10,500,000 for 36 months (2022 – 2025) through BSK to support the work described in this RFP.
Approximately $1,200,000 is available for the remaining months of 2022 (six months); and approximately $9,300,000 is available for 2023 – 2025.
The total number of months for each contract is to not exceed 36 months, with a contract exhibit expected start date of July 1st, 2022, and end date no later than June 30th, 2025.
Attend our information session
We strongly encourage anyone interested in applying to attend one of the two information session to join us to learn more:
- Information Session #1: April 26th, 2022 at 6 pm
- Information Session #2: April 27nd, 2022 at 1 pm
Access the Zoom meeting details in VI. section C of the RFP document. Learn more about this funding opportunity and view the full RFP document here.
Timeline
| RFP Issued | April 21, 2022 |
| Information Session 1 | April 26, 2022, at 6 pm |
| Information Session 2 | April 27, 2022, at 1 pm |
| Final day to submit questions via ZoomGrant | May 27, 2022 |
| Final day to initiate request for technical assistance | May 27, 2022 |
| RFP Application Due | June 1, 2022 (2:00 pm PST) |
| Responses reviewed | June 01 – June 15 |
| Interviews with applicants (if applicable) King County reserves the right to conduct interview as Needed to make award determinations. | June 2022 |
| Notice of selected and non-selected applicants | June 2022 |
| Anticipated program/contract start date | July 2022 |
Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions about this funding opportunity, you can submit a question before May 27, 2022, through the Contact Admin tab in ZoomGrants. The response to all questions received will be posted as an RFP amendment on ZoomGrants.
Would you like support? Access Best Starts technical assistance!
Free application support is available for organizations interested in applying for this Best Starts funding opportunity! Best Starts partnered consultants can support by: helping to determine appropriate fit between your work and this funding opportunity, providing guidance on how best to answer application questions, supporting your application development (including editing and reviewing), and supporting you in explaining your qualifications in the most clear and concise way.
If you are interested in partnering with a technical assistance consultant, learn more here.
1. Check out our funding calendar here
This calendar shares upcoming funding opportunities staggered throughout the year. Subscribe to our blog and newsletter to the right of the calendar to receive notices whenever we post a new funding opportunity.
2. Watch our latest recorded info sessions
If you were unable to make it to an open funding opportunity’s info session, check out the recordings and slideshows here.
3. Save the date for our next open house!
Mark June 29, 2022 on your calendars for our next Best Starts virtual open house! We will share registration information and session details soon. View the recordings from the latest open house on March 30, 2022 and our first virtual open house on January 12, 2022.