Steve Bleifuhs Memorial Flood Reduction Grant

The Steve Bleifuhs Memorial Flood Reduction Grant Program is administered by the King County Flood Control District, a local government entity responsible for managing and reducing flood risks across King County. The program was renamed in 2024 to honor Steve Bleifuhs, a long-serving public official whose work significantly shaped flood hazard management in the region. The grant program focuses on supporting medium and small-scale projects that directly address flood risks and improve resilience within King County communities. It has evolved over time, with expansions in 2021 that introduced additional funding and new project categories to better address emerging environmental challenges. The primary purpose of the program is to fund projects that reduce existing or potential flooding while delivering measurable public benefits. Eligible projects must demonstrate clear economic and community value beyond the applicant organization, such as maintaining access to infrastructure, supporting public safety, preserving agricultural or recreational uses, or protecting water quality and fish populations. The program emphasizes tangible, on-the-ground structural improvements, although it allows phased projects that begin with planning, design, or permitting if they clearly lead to future construction outcomes. Funding for the program in the current cycle totals at least 14.3 million dollars, with individual awards historically ranging from 10,000 dollars to 1,500,000 dollars. There is no formal minimum or maximum award limit. While matching funds are not required, applicants are encouraged to leverage additional resources, as this can positively influence scoring. Grant funds must be fully expended within 36 months of executing the grant agreement, establishing a defined performance period for all funded projects. Eligibility for the program is broad but limited to entities operating within King County. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, special purpose districts, tribes, cities and towns, and King County agencies. Additional eligibility is extended to homeowner associations and schools, but only for the original flood reduction category. Projects must align with one of four categories: general flood reduction, urban streams, coastal erosion and coastal flooding, or culvert replacement and fish passage. Each category includes specific criteria related to location, environmental impact, and project type, such as requirements for urban growth areas or coastal flood zones. The application process is conducted through an online portal, where applicants must create or access an account to submit their proposals. The application includes a structured set of questions, and applicants may review these questions in advance. Submissions are evaluated through a multi-step review process that includes eligibility screening, potential site visits or interviews, and scoring by a selection team. Final funding recommendations are made to the Flood Control District Board of Supervisors, which makes the ultimate award decisions. The application period for the current cycle opens on April 2, 2026, and closes at 11:59 PM on May 22, 2026. An informational webinar is offered during the application period to guide prospective applicants, though attendance is not required. Award notifications are expected in early fall of 2026. The program appears to operate on a recurring annual basis, with updates and scoring considerations adjusted to reflect recent flood events, including the historic 2025 to 2026 flood season. For assistance with the application process, applicants can contact a designated program representative via email or phone. The program emphasizes transparency and technical rigor in its evaluation process, encouraging applicants to align closely with stated criteria and demonstrate strong public benefit, environmental stewardship, and project feasibility. The combination of flexible funding levels, diverse eligibility, and clearly defined evaluation standards makes this program a significant funding opportunity for flood mitigation efforts within King County.

Emphasize clear flood reduction benefits, demonstrate public economic value beyond the applicant, align closely with category-specific criteria, and show feasibility for structural implementation