We are excited to share the Best Starts for Kids Help Me Grow request for proposals (RFP) is now open! This funding opportunity closes on Friday, July 18, 2025 at 12PM, 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
Best Starts Help Me Grow strategy supports families by connecting them to the resources they need – when, where, and how they need them. The Help Me Grow King County (HMGKC) strategy ensures that families, especially those facing systemic barriers, can access community-rooted and linguistically responsive support for their children to thrive during the prenatal to five period.
We’re seeking to invest in HMGKC Family Connection Partners, who will connect families, parents, and caregivers to the services and resources they need. Partners will provide warm connections to services and resources, ensuring that families receive direct support – not just referrals – to navigate systems effectively. This means trusted community organizations walk alongside parents and caregivers to connect them with what they need in a relational, culturally rooted, and accessible way.
Eligibility
This funding opportunity is open to nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, tribes, tribal organizations, and public or governmental agencies serving communities in King County. Small nonprofits and community-based organizations are strongly encouraged to apply.
Partnerships are eligible to apply. One organization must agree to serve as the lead and contract administrator.
Attend our information session
We strongly encourage anyone interested in applying to attend our information session to learn more:
- Thursday, June 26, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Pacific Time
- Monday, June 30, 2025, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Pacific Time
Learn more about this funding opportunity and access meeting details for the information session within the full RFP document.
Funding available
We have budgeted approximately $3,748,600 for this funding opportunity. Applicants may request a maximum of $650,000 for a two-year contract (January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027). We expect to award between 4-6 applicants.
Timeline
| RFP Issued | June 16, 2025 |
| Information Sessions | June 26, 2025, 10:00 am – 11:30 am June 30, 2025, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm |
| Final day to initiate request for technical assistance | July 2, 2025 |
| Final day to Submit Questions | July 2, 2025 |
| RFP Application Due | July 18, 2025 by 12:00 pm |
| Applications Reviewed | July 22 – August 14, 2025 |
| Interviews with applicants (if applicable) | August 18 – 22, 2025 |
| Notification of Selected and Non-Selected Applicants | September, 2025 |
| Contract Anticipated Start Date | January 1, 2026 |
Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions about this funding opportunity, you can submit a question before Wednesday, July 2, 2025 to Phillip Thompson, RFP Lead at cpres-bsk@kingcounty.gov.
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
This calendar shares upcoming funding opportunities staggered throughout the year. Subscribe to our blog and newsletter 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.
