We are excited to share that the third round of Workforce Development Mini Grants Request for Applications (RFA) is now open! This funding opportunity closes on Tuesday, November 25 at 2PM, please submit your application by then.
Review the full funding opportunity details here.
How to apply
To apply, organizations need to have a Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) Agiloft account. Best Starts funding opportunities, in both DCHS and Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC), will require organizations to have a DCHS Agiloft account when applying for funding. Learn about our new funding platform.
Apply by visiting the DCHS Agiloft Website. Log in, create, and manage accounts in Agiloft.
Next steps:
- Once you have an account, look for Funding Opportunities/Solicitations.
- Click on View Public Funding Opportunities/Solicitations.
- Click on the Solicitation: Workforce Development Mini Grants RFA Round 3 and follow application instructions.
About this opportunity:
Best Start’s Workforce Development strategy focuses on strengthening King County’s Prenatal to Five workforce. This strategy provides a wide range of professional development opportunities to prenatal and early childhood practitioners. These opportunities build knowledge, strengthen skills, and promote shared community healing. Professional development opportunities include large group workshops, building a cohort of community-based facilitators, Communities of Practice for small group trainings and deeper learning, and ongoing community outreach efforts to maximize access to these workshops and other Best Starts’ services.
The Best Starts Workforce Development strategy is pleased to announce funding aimed at supporting the workforce of King County’s small (fewer than 25 employees) community-based organizations, agencies, and early childhood centers that provide Prenatal to Five services to enhance their professional development efforts. We recognize the crucial role that the Prenatal to Five workforce does to bridge skill gaps, foster knowledge, strengthen skills and promote shared healing within their organizations and the communities they serve. By providing funding to the Prenatal to Five workforce, we aim to encourage organizations to assess their own staff needs to determine what trainings, resources and professional development opportunities would address their unique needs in the areas of Healthy Childhood Development, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, Racial Equity, and Disability Justice.
Eligibility:
Eligible organizations must serve King County communities and have no more than 25 employees. Small private agencies, nonprofits, community-based organizations, tribes and tribal organizations, early childhood development centers, and licensed childcare centers or programs are eligible. Organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Review the funding opportunity information for more details about eligibility.
Funding available:
This RFA offers mini grants of up to $9,999 to small King County organizations serving children from the prenatal period through age five and their families. Funding supports staff development in healthy childhood development, infant and early childhood mental health, racial equity, and disability justice. A total of $300,000 is dedicated toward this round of mini grants.
Timeline:
| RFA Issued | October 14, 2026 |
| Information Sessions | 12 PM, October 27, 2026 |
| Final Day to Submit Questions | November 18, 2026 |
| Final Day to Initiate Request for Technical Assistance | November 11, 2026 |
| RFA Applications Due | 2PM, November 25, 2026 |
| Responses Reviewed | December 2 through December 16, 2026 |
| Notification of Selected and Non-Selected Applicants | January 2027 |
| Contract Anticipated Start Date | February 2027 |
Do you have any questions?
Interested parties may submit questions in writing prior to the date and time indicated in the RFA schedule through the Contact Admin tab in Agiloft. The response to all questions received will be posted as an RFA addendum on Agiloft.
If potential Applicants experience technical difficulties with Agiloft leading up to the due date, please email your Proposal to the RFA Coordinator directly 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.
Learn more about Best Starts funding opportunities
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.
