We are excited to share that the Best Starts for Kids Youth Healing Project request for proposal (RFP) is now open! This funding opportunity closes on July 17, 2025 at 5:00 PM, 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
At Best Starts we strive to share power with young leaders because we know young people are experts on the challenges and opportunities their communities face today. That’s why we’re excited to announce the Youth Healing Project RFP, which will directly fund young people to work on projects that aim to improve the mental health, healthy coping, harm reduction, connection, and well-being of young people.
Funding is flexible and can be used for staffing, youth stipends or incentives, technology, materials, and events. The funded projects will take place during the 2025 to 2026 school year.
Here are a few examples of projects young people from the first Youth Healing Project accomplished:
- A podcast about young people’s experience with Sickle Cell Disease. (Listen to the In Our Blood podcast here.)
- A coloring book for elementary school students that focused on identifying emotions and violence prevention. (Preview the NoExcuses Activity Book here!)
- Graffiti, music, and art gatherings focused on creating connection and healing through artistic expression. (You can read more about SanArte on pg. 34 and 35 of the Best Starts for Kids 2022 Annual Report.)
- A mental health and well-being group hosted on campus at a local high school, that offered healing to BIPOC students. (Read more about the Newcomer Club here!)
While the above examples can highlight the types of projects young people can propose, we encourage applicants to use their creativity, and not feel limited. More examples are featured in the full RFP here!
How to apply:
You can find the application and all relevant information here. Read it closely and follow the instructions. Reach out to us if you have any questions. We are eager to help and can connect you to specialists who can support you in the application process at no cost to you.
Feel free to be creative. You can submit your responses in writing, but we will also accept applications in the form of a video.
Eligibility:
Are you a young person (between the ages of 14 and 24-years-old) living in King County? Do you want to create mental health supports for young people, or are you already doing work to support youth mental health? You are eligible!
Young people will need to identify a nonprofit organization (501c3) to be their fiscal sponsor during or after the application process. Young people can work with organizations they trust and are connected to. But if applicants need support connecting to an organization, they can contact Best Starts. We can connect young people to organizations.
Read the eligibility information closely in the RFP and reach out to us if you have any questions.
Funding Available:
We have budgeted $9,999 per proposal, for this project. Proposals that request more than $9,999 will be considered incomplete and will not be evaluated. Applicants can propose less than $9,999.
Our total funding for the Youth Healing project is $250,000 so we expect to fund about 25 projects led by young people.
Attend our information sessions
We strongly encourage anyone interested in applying to attend one of the two information sessions to join us to learn more:
- June 12, 2025, 5pm
- June 25, 2025, noon
Learn more about this funding opportunity and access meeting details for the information session within the full RFP document here.
Timeline
| RFP Issued | June 4, 2025 |
| Information Sessions | June 12, 2025, 5pm June 25, 2025, noon |
| Final day to submit questions via ZoomGrants | July 15, 2025 |
| Final day for to initiate request for technical assistance | July 15, 2025 |
| Proposals due | July 17, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. |
| Responses reviewed | July 24 to August 14, 2025 |
| Notification of selected and non-selected proposers | September 2025 |
| Anticipated program/contract start date | October 2025 |
Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions about this funding opportunity, you can submit a question before July 15, 2025, through the Contact Admin tab in ZoomGrants. The response to all questions received will be posted as an RFP amendment on ZoomGrants.
If potential proposers experience technical difficulties with ZoomGrants leading up to the due date, please email PhiThompson@KingCounty.gov with questions to avoid a late submission.
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 the info session for an open funding opportunity, check out the recordings and slideshows here.
