View Frequently Asked Questions – updated December 16, 2022
In Best Starts 2.0, our Capital Program will provide funding for new construction, property renovation, building repairs 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. Rural areas and low-income areas with lack of access will also be prioritized.
Best Starts Capital Program will focus on equitable community-driven development to ensure projects are aligned with and serve communities’ needs. Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to:
- Community centers
- Recreational centers
- Early learning facilities
- Child care facilities
- Housing for young people and families
Consistent with recommendations from the Children and Youth Advisory Board (CYAB), funding will be prioritized for sites that are:
- Multi-use, intergenerational, or include covered outdoor spaces
- Serving communities that historically have limited or no access to facilities for such services and developments that leverage other capital investments, including County Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account (PSTAA) and affordable housing funds
- Expected to have culturally responsive child care and early learning services or other programs for children, young people, and families
- Expected to host permanent low-cost or free programming for low-income households
Submit a Letter of Interest (LOI)
Click here to submit a Letter of Interest
Click here to read the full Letter of Interest document
Best Starts is requesting information related to interest in and need for the Best Starts Capital Program funding available in 2023. We will offer two Request for Proposals (RFPs) in 2023. One RFP is anticipated to be released in March 2023 estimated to have $4.7 million available and one in summer/fall 2023 estimated to have $7.2 million available. The 2023 RFPs will be related to Priorities 1 and 2 from the Best Starts Implementation Plan. These priorities are:
- Priority One: New construction or renovation of existing property to provide for new community or recreational centers which prioritize serving low-income BIPOC children, young people, and families lacking access to similar facilities. Best Starts will provide capital planning grants of up to $100,000 for Priority One projects. The capital grant funds awarded under Priority One are expected to not exceed $5 million for any single project over the life of the levy.
- Priority Two: Renovations and repairs to existing multi-use community centers, early learning centers, child care or recreational facilities to address critical health and safety issues. The capital grant funds awarded under Priority Two are expected to not exceed $500,000 for any single facility over the life of the levy.
Information collected through this LOI will not be scored and submitting a LOI does not constitute a commitment to funding your project in subsequent RFPs. The deadline to submit a Letter of Interest is December 19, 2022 at 2 p.m. Pacific Time.
If you have any questions, please contact Catarina.Ratajczak@kingcounty.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions