We are excited to share the Best Starts for Kids Capital Program request for proposals (RFP) is now open! The pre-proposal submission deadline is Monday, January 8, 2024 at 2PM, please submit your pre-proposal application by then. Eligible applicants will be notified to submit a final proposal. The final proposal submission deadline is Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 2PM.
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:
Best Starts’ Capital Program will provide contracts for building repairs, renovations and new construction 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. In addition, rural areas and or low-income areas with lack of access will be prioritized. The program will focus on equitable community-driven development to ensure projects are aligned with and serve communities’ needs.
This RFP will fund Priority 1 projects, as outlined in the Best Starts for Kids Implementation Plan:
Priority 1: New Construction or Renovation of existing property for Community Centers or Recreational Centers which prioritize serving Low-Income, BIPOC children, youth and families Without Physical Access to similar facilities. Construction grants awarded under Priority 1 are expected not to exceed $5 million for any single project over the life of the levy. Best Starts will also provide Capital Planning Grants of up to $100,000.
Eligibility:
This funding opportunity is open to nonprofit organizations, Community Based Organizations (CBO), tribes and tribal organizations, for-profit entities, and public or governmental agencies serving communities in King County. Small nonprofits and community-based organizations are encouraged to submit proposals.
All proposals must meet the following minimum qualifications:
- Request to complete New Construction or Renovation of existing property OR request a Capital Planning grant.
- Project is a Community Center or Recreational Center. No other project types are permitted.
- Request does not exceed $100,000 for Capital Planning Grants or $5,000,000 for other construction projects.
- Project site is owned or leased by applicant organization (if leased, organization must have owner support of proposed construction activities).
- Facility is located in, and serves communities, in King County.
- Applicant serves low-income children, young people, and families. The program will prioritize for those serving BIPOC communities, rural areas and/or areas without physical access to similar facilities.
Funding available:
We have budgeted approximately $7,200,000 for this RFP. The maximum award amount applicants may request is $100,000 for Capital Planning Grants and $5,000,000 for other construction grants.
Attend our information session:
We strongly encourage anyone interested in applying to attend an information session to learn more.
Pre-Proposal Period Information Session:
- Friday, January 5, 2024, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, Pacific Time
Proposal Period Information Session:
- Thursday, February 15, 2024, 10:00 am – 11:00 am, Pacific Time
Learn more about this funding opportunity and access meeting details for the information session within the full RFP document.
Timeline:
| Pre-Proposal Period | |
| RFP Issued – Pre-Proposal Open | December 18, 2023 |
| Pre-Proposal Period Information Session | January 5, 2024, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm |
| Pre-Proposals Due | January 8, 2024 by 2:00 pm |
| Pre-Proposals Reviewed | January 9 – February 2, 2024 |
| Notification of Eligibility | February 2 – 6, 2024 |
| Proposal Period | |
| Proposal Period Open | February 7, 2024 |
| Proposal Period Information Session | February 15, 2024, 10:00 am – 11:00 am |
| Final day to submit questions via ZoomGrants | March 6, 2024 |
| Final day to initiate request for technical assistance | March 13, 2024 |
| Proposals Due | March 20, 2024 by 2:00 pm |
| Responses Reviewed | March 20 – April 26, 2024 |
| Notification of selected and non-selected applicants | June – July, 2024 |
Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions about this funding opportunity, you can submit a question before Wednesday, March 6, 2024 through the Contact Admin tab in ZoomGrants. The response to all questions received will be posted as an RFP amendment on ZoomGrants.
For complete details, please view the RFP on ZoomGrants: https://www.zoomgrants.com/zgf/bskcapital/P1 If you experience technical difficulties with ZoomGrants, you can email questions@zoomgrants.com directly. Any other questions can be sent to:
Joanna Armstrong, RFP Lead
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
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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.
