We are excited to share that the Communities of Opportunity (COO) Systems & Policy Change (SPC) request for proposals (RFP) is now open! This funding opportunity closes on Tuesday, October 11 at 11:59PM, please submit your application by then.
Click here to view the full funding opportunity details and apply.
Note: you will be taken to the Seattle Foundation grants portal.
About this opportunity:
We know that meaningful, just, and sustainable solutions are generated in partnership with communities, who know what they need to support the health and well-being of babies, children, young people, and families. This Request for Proposals (RFP) invites proposals from community-led and community-engaged efforts to transform systems and policies that will decrease and/or prevent continued racism and inequities related to economic opportunity, health, housing, and community connections in communities of color in King County.
Communities of Opportunity (COO) is announcing its 2023-2024 multi-year systems and policy change grant cycle. With this RFP, we seek to fund organizations and coalitions advancing policy work as a mechanism for systems change. In pursuit of this, the opportunity will prioritize funding for organizing activities focused on long-term policy change, as defined by the applicant, while clearly articulating how such policy evolution fits into the larger picture of systems change.
Please note that the application platform and grants process for this RFP is held by Seattle Foundation, in partnership with Best Starts for Kids.
Eligibility:
Applicants must:
- Have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status or have a fiscal sponsor that qualifies as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
- Be based within the state of Washington and can describe and demonstrate the impact of their work in King County.
Applications are encouraged from:
- Organizations or coalitions that are led by and for the community in which the proposed grant work takes place (including tribes and tribal organizations).
- Organizations or coalitions that center racial equity in their work and approach.
- Organizations or coalitions with strong relationships and trust in the community.
- Organizations or coalitions that can specify systems and policies they are seeking to develop, modify, and/or implement.
- Organizations or coalitions that can describe a long-term policy advocacy plan that will include concrete activities/efforts and key decision makers, sectors, communities, and partners to be engaged in the work.
- Organizations or coalitions that can articulate how the proposed policy advocacy activities/efforts fit into the larger picture of systems change.
- Organizations or coalitions that are currently receiving funding or participating through other COO strategy areas, including Cultural and Place-based community partnerships, are eligible to apply, provided their proposal meets the criteria in this RFP.
Funding Available:
COO has approximately $2.2M to $2.5M available annually to award from 2023-2024 (January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2024). An organization applying on its own behalf may receive up to $125,000 per year. Applicants applying as a coalition with other organizations may receive up to $200,000 per year.
Awards may be extended for a third year, pending funding availability and grant award performance.
Attend our information session:
We strongly encourage anyone interested in applying to attend our information session to learn more:
- Monday, August 29, 2022, 2pm Pacific Time: Register Here
- Tuesday, September 13, 2022, 2pm Pacific Time: Register Here
Learn more about this funding opportunity and access meeting details for the information session within the full RFP document here.
Note: you will be taken to the Seattle Foundation grants portal.
Timeline:
| RFP Issued | August 24, 2022 |
| Information Sessions | August 29, 2022, 2 pm. Register Here September 13, 2022, 2 pm. Register Here |
| RFP Application Due | October 11, 2022 by 11:59 p.m. |
| Applications Reviewed | November – February 2023 |
| Site Visits (if applicable) | January 13 – 30, 2023 |
| Notification of Selected and Non-Selected Applicants | February 2023 |
| Contract Anticipated Start Date | January 1, 2023 |
Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions about this funding opportunity, contact Vanesa Gutierrez at v.gutierrez@seattlefoundation.org.
1. Check out our funding calendar
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 the info session for an open funding opportunity, check out the recordings and slideshows here.
3. Save the date for our next open house!
Mark September 28, 2022, on your calendars for our next Best Starts virtual open house! More information about our sessions and how to register to come.