Washington Business and Commerce Grants

The Washington Department of Commerce (COMMERCE) is seeking proposals for the Innovation Cluster Accelerator Program (ICAP), specifically focusing on Fusion Cluster development. This grant is designed to strengthen industry ecosystems and accelerate economic growth within Washington State by establishing it as a global leader in key industry sectors, supporting tech transfer and commercialization, accelerating new start-ups and scale-ups, growing businesses, and creating high-value jobs. The program also aims to increase export opportunities and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in business ownership and the workforce. COMMERCE has budgeted up to $242,500 for this project, with a preference for awarding contracts under $150,000 to Small or Veteran-Owned Businesses. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are fusion-related industry-led clusters or consortia interested in participating in Fusion Cluster development. The overarching impact goal is to develop a robust Fusion Cluster and produce a legislative report with recommendations for promoting and developing fusion energy in Washington State. This initiative leverages Washington State's existing high concentration of fusion energy companies, fostering "co-opetition" to solve shared industry problems through a dedicated fusion working group. The program's priorities and focuses include establishing Washington as a global leader in fusion energy, supporting technological innovation and commercialization, and fostering business growth and job creation across the state. A significant focus is also placed on developing a legislative report, indicating a strategic approach to influence policy and create a supportive regulatory environment for the fusion energy sector. The grant emphasizes long-term economic development and aims to expand the program over the coming decade to achieve its ambitious goals. Expected outcomes include a stronger fusion industry ecosystem, an increase in tech transfer and commercialization activities, a rise in new start-ups and scale-ups, and the creation of high-value jobs throughout Washington. Measurable results will likely include the number of businesses grown, increased export opportunities, and progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion metrics within the business ownership and workforce. The overall theory of change is that by strategically investing in and fostering collaboration within the fusion energy sector, Washington State can solidify its position as a global leader, drive economic growth, and create sustainable, high-value employment opportunities.

This grant provides funding to various organizations in Washington State to create outdoor education and recreation opportunities for underserved and historically excluded youth.

CDBG General Purpose Grants are available annually through a competitive application process to assist Washington State small cities, towns and counties in carrying out significant community and economic development projects that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons. The Washington State CDBG Program is funded by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Examples of eligible General Purpose Grant activities include: Public facilities, such as water, wastewater, streets and sidewalks Community facilities, such as community centers, libraries, food banks and fire stations Local assistance programs such as housing rehabilitation CDBG Program Priorities: Financial need- Prioritizing applicants who do not have viable access to other funds/resources. Funding readiness- Prioritizing applicants who have secured all other funds. Funding efforts- Prioritizing applicants who have pursued other funding. Equity- Prioritizing applicants who have not recently received CDBG funding and who do not have open CDBG contracts for similar activities.

The City of Mukilteo’s Co-Sponsorship Grant process is designed to promote, support, and expand existing and new special events, activities, and programs within the city, as well as to publicize and support economic development initiatives. A key alignment with the city's mission is the support of activities that foster the general health and well-being of the community. This grant primarily functions by waiving facility rental fees for the use of City Facilities, thereby reducing a significant barrier for organizations looking to host beneficial events and programs. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include a broad range of public and private organizations. Specifically, qualifying organizations encompass non-profit volunteer groups, neighborhood groups, educational organizations, public agencies, and chambers of commerce. The ultimate impact goal is to enhance the quality of life for Mukilteo residents through increased access to cultural arts, recreation, youth and adult activities, and improved community safety. Furthermore, the program aims to stimulate economic growth through events and activities that promote job creation and business attraction and retention. The grant program prioritizes projects that are open to the public and offer enhanced opportunities in areas such as culture and arts, recreation, youth or adult activities, and community safety. Another key focus is on projects that promote job growth or promote business attraction and retention within Mukilteo. While the grant is generally open to Mukilteo-based organizations, there are limited exceptions for organizations outside the city that can clearly demonstrate the necessity and direct public benefit of their service to the Mukilteo community. The expected outcomes from this program are multifaceted. By waiving facility rental fees, the City of Mukilteo anticipates an increase in the number and diversity of special events, programs, and activities offered to its residents. Measurable results could include the number of events supported, the estimated attendance at these events, and the reported community engagement. From an economic development perspective, success could be measured by the number of jobs created or retained, and the growth of businesses attributed to grant-supported initiatives. The grant's duration is not specified, but projects must be accomplished by December 31st, 2025, suggesting a focus on near-term impact.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Vancouver for events and programs that promote cultural enrichment, tourism, and community engagement, aiming to attract visitors and enhance the local tourism economy.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community organizations in Seattle that aim to improve digital access and technology skills for underserved populations, helping to close the digital divide.

This funding opportunity is designed to support events and marketing initiatives that promote tourism and increase hotel stays in Liberty Lake, benefiting local businesses and the economy.

The City of Bellingham's Tourism Promotion Grants program aims to bolster economic activity within the city by attracting tourists. This initiative aligns with a broader mission to stimulate local commerce and development by encouraging visitor stays and expenditures. The program is designed to provide "seed money" for new events or marketing funds for ongoing events, with the overarching goal of increasing hotel stays and drawing more tourists to Bellingham. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are organizations and individuals hosting events or activities that have the potential to attract tourists to Bellingham. The impact goals are centered on increasing economic activity through tourism, specifically by "putting heads in beds" (hotel stays) and encouraging visitor spending. The program prioritizes activities that directly contribute to drawing tourists to the city, making funding contingent on this core objective. The grant program offers two distinct types: the Start-Up Grant and the Standard Grant. The Start-Up Grant is for events or activities that are three years young or less, allowing funds to be used for marketing and eligible operating expenses such as venue rentals, equipment rentals, a portion of rent, and the purchase of goods/supplies with prior approval. The Standard Grant is for events or activities that have been running for over three years, with similar eligible operating expenses. Both grant types explicitly exclude payroll, travel, alcohol, and equipment expenses. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in tourism-related economic activity, particularly in hotel occupancy and local spending. Measurable results would likely be tracked through metrics such as visitor numbers, hotel bookings, and event attendance, all contributing to the city's economic growth. The program's strategic priority is to maximize tourist attraction to Bellingham, and its theory of change is that by providing financial support for new and existing events that draw visitors, the city will experience a direct and positive economic impact from increased tourism.

The Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Washington Innovation Fund is a program designed to enhance Washington state's criminal legal system by supporting innovative, sustainable, and data-driven practices. Its overarching goals are to improve community safety, foster collaboration among various sectors, and provide support to victims and individuals involved in the criminal legal system. This aligns with a foundational mission of creating a fair and equitable criminal legal system in Washington that prioritizes these critical areas. The program draws on the Edward Byrne Memorial JAG program, a significant federal source of criminal justice funding, administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), which provides essential resources to state and local jurisdictions for system improvement and community advancement. The target beneficiaries of the JAG Innovation Fund include local governments and private community-based or non-profit agencies that are working to improve the criminal legal system. The program aims to impact community safety directly, enhance support for victims, and strengthen cross-sector collaboration and collective accountability within the system. Ultimately, the expected outcomes include the implementation of more effective and data-informed stewardship of criminal legal system resources, leading to a more just and safer Washington. The JAG Innovation Fund focuses on several key priorities for funding, including organizational or program capacity building, supporting new ideas, projects, or promising practices, enhancing system and community collaborations, and expanding or supplementing existing programs or practices. The program identifies nine specific Purpose Areas to allow for diverse and flexible criminal legal system improvement projects. These areas range from Planning, Evaluation and Technology Improvement to Crime Victim Programming, Support and Advocacy, Community Safety Enhancement, and Corrections, Community Corrections and Re-Entry, among others. Approximately $1,000,000 of JAG funding is dedicated to the Innovation Fund each award cycle, with individual project awards supporting proposals up to $150,000. The funding period for projects is from November 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025. To ensure accountability and community relevance, non-governmental applicants must provide one or more letters of support from a local government unit in the project's jurisdiction, explaining the proposed program's benefits to the local government agency and jurisdiction. This requirement underscores the program's strategic priority of fostering robust community and governmental partnerships as a theory of change for sustainable criminal legal system improvements.

The Washington State Arts Commission is offering a non-competitive Tribal Cultural Grant Program, providing funding up to $18,000 per application for Federally-recognized Tribes in Washington State to support and enhance their arts and culture, covering expenses such as artist fees, museum support, rent, travel, materials, administrative costs, and cultural classes.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to neighborhoods, community groups, and local businesses in Marysville, Washington, for projects aimed at beautifying their local areas.

The Creative Youth Development program, a cornerstone of the California Arts Council (CAC), is fundamentally rooted in the belief that arts learning is crucial for healthy human development and should be universally accessible to all young people across California. This includes, but is not limited to, those whose lives have been impacted by the justice system. The program's mission aligns with the CAC's broader vision of ensuring that all California youth receive meaningful, culturally responsive arts-learning experiences, enabling them to achieve their full potential. This initiative underscores a commitment to nurturing young people's stories, ideas, and dreams through creative expression, while deeply respecting their lived experiences. The program targets young people throughout California, with a particular focus on those who have faced interruptions or impacts from the justice system. The impact goals are to foster environments that promote Creative Youth Development through the integration of three core concepts: Racial Equity and Social Justice, Youth Voices, and Collective Action. Projects are encouraged to take place in a variety of settings, including arts and culture venues, community centers, court/school sites, juvenile halls and camps, county-operated correctional facilities, social services agencies, and other youth-oriented settings, during or outside of traditional school hours. The program prioritizes projects that address one or more of its key goals. These include providing social-emotional creative experiences in safe and healthy learning environments, fostering creative abilities through culturally and linguistically responsive arts learning, and supporting arts programs that activate youth voices, narratives, and perspectives. Other focuses involve utilizing cultural assets for positive self-identification and respect for diverse cultures, empowering youth through cultural preservation and revitalization, and cultivating transferable life skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and collaboration. The grant seeks to support hands-on learning in various artistic disciplines, from dance and literary arts to media arts, music, theater, traditional/folk arts, and visual arts. Expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around the successful implementation of projects that fulfill the program's purpose within the grant activity period (January 1, 2025 – September 30, 2025). Applicants are expected to design projects that provide safe, healthy, and appropriate learning environments and include sustained activities. For tuition-based projects, a robust equity and accessibility plan with full scholarships and reduced fees is required. The program anticipates increased creative abilities, enhanced social-emotional well-being, and developed life skills among participants. Projects are also expected to demonstrate a commitment to racial equity and social justice, amplify youth voices, and promote collective action within communities. Furthermore, artists involved must have at least two years of relevant experience, be California-based, and not be full-time students in a degree program, ensuring high-quality instruction and mentorship.

This grant provides financial support and exhibition opportunities for emerging and underrepresented artists in King County, WA, to showcase their installation and site-responsive artwork in a Seattle gallery.

The Washington State Department of Commerce is offering a Request for Applications (RFA) for its Low-Income Home Rehabilitation Grant Program. This program aims to provide grant funding to qualified entities for home repair services. The core mission of this grant is to address critical health, safety, and durability issues within existing housing for low-income households, particularly those located in rural areas of Washington State. This initiative directly aligns with broader strategic priorities focused on improving housing stability and quality of life for vulnerable populations within the state. The target beneficiaries for this program are low-income households residing permanently in single-family residential structures. A strong emphasis is placed on providing priority services to specific groups, including senior citizens, people with disabilities, families with children five years old and younger, and veterans. The primary impact goal is to enhance the living conditions and safety of these residents by addressing essential home repair and improvement needs, thereby promoting a healthier and more secure home environment. The program prioritizes entities capable of delivering comprehensive home repair services. Eligible applicants include rehabilitation agencies, approved Commerce grantees, Tribal Nations, Public Service Companies, Municipalities, Public Utility Districts, Mutual or Cooperatives, and other approved entities responsible for rehabilitating residences. Key focuses for applicants include being licensed to do business in Washington (or committing to become licensed), and possessing at least two years of experience in home renovation-related programs (such as housing rehabilitation and/or weatherization) as well as two years of experience in providing services through low-income home repair programs within the last five years. Expected outcomes include the successful rehabilitation and improvement of numerous low-income homes, leading to enhanced health, safety, and durability for residents. Measurable results will likely center on the number of households served, the types of repairs completed, and the improvements in living conditions for priority populations. The grant duration for successful applicants is approximately nine months, from November 1, 2024, to July 30, 2025, with a maximum grant amount of $500,000 per applicant, demonstrating a commitment to tangible and timely improvements.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.

The City of Bellingham is offering a grant for parties capable of producing a special or unique public experience, referred to as a “signature event.” This grant aims to foster artistic and cultural impact within the local community and among visitors, celebrating Bellingham’s indoor food, restaurant, arts, and culture scene. While the specific foundation mission or strategic priorities are not explicitly stated as a separate entity, the City of Bellingham's Tourism Commission acts as the guiding body with clearly defined goals that serve a similar purpose, aligning with the broader civic objective of enhancing the city's appeal and economic vitality through tourism and cultural enrichment. The target beneficiaries include the local community of Bellingham, visitors (with an emphasis on Canadian tourists), and historically marginalized communities such as BIPOC and LGBTQIA+. The impact goals are multi-faceted, aiming to create meaningful artistic and cultural experiences, celebrate local culinary and arts scenes, promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, attract significant tourism (particularly overnight stays), generate secondary economic benefits, and foster a positive long-lasting impression of Bellingham/Whatcom County. The program also seeks to integrate new and emerging talent, ensuring a dynamic and evolving cultural landscape. The program prioritizes events that provide a unique and distinctive Pacific Northwest experience, avoiding replication of events found in larger cities like Seattle. A strong focus is placed on walkability, highlighting the food and restaurant scene, and incorporating local businesses, history, attractions, and environmental stewardship. Crucially, the program aims for the signature events to become self-sustaining within a few years, minimizing the long-term reliance on City funding. This reflects a strategic priority to seed initiatives that can ultimately thrive independently, contributing to the city's cultural and economic fabric for the long term. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in tourism, particularly from Canadian visitors, and a higher likelihood of overnight stays. The events are anticipated to generate numerous secondary economic benefits for local businesses. Success will also be measured by the artistic and cultural impact on the community, the level of diversity and inclusivity achieved, and the creation of a lasting positive impression of Bellingham. The long-term goal is for these events to become financially self-sufficient after three years, demonstrating a successful launch and sustainable operation, thereby contributing to the City's broader tourism and economic development objectives. Funding is committed for up to three years to provide seed money. Up to $100,000 is available for the first year, with approximately $70,000 for each of the following two years, for one or more signature events. Eligible expenses cover marketing and operational costs. Marketing activities include advertising, publicizing, and distributing information to attract tourists, as well as developing tourism expansion strategies. Operational expenses encompass typical event management costs such as supplies, equipment rentals, and venue fees. This financial structure supports the strategic objective of launching a new event and fostering its growth towards self-sustainability within the initial three-year period.

This grant provides funding to cities, counties, and public utility districts in Washington to improve water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure for affordable housing projects that include at least 25% affordable units.

This grant provides funding to organizations and event planners for innovative projects that attract visitors to Snohomish, particularly those that encourage overnight stays and boost the local economy during the off-season.

The Washington State Department of Commerce is launching an accelerated cohort of its Innovation Cluster Accelerator Program (ICAP 2.5). This initiative is an economic development strategy designed to bolster industry ecosystems and stimulate economic growth across the state. The program aims to assist organizations in expanding cluster operations, fostering innovation in key sectors, and drawing in talent and capital. While not explicitly detailed as a "foundation mission alignment," the program's objectives clearly align with broader state economic development goals, serving as a strategic framework to enhance Washington's competitive advantage in global industry sectors. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are industry-led consortia/clusters that demonstrate a commitment to building successful clusters. These consortia must include academic membership, evidenced by a letter of commitment from a major university or community college within Washington State. Furthermore, eligible clusters must demonstrate over $500,000 in investment, which can include prospective federal funding. The program prioritizes clusters that are truly industry-led, ensuring that funding supports initiatives with strong private sector engagement and a clear path to market-driven innovation and growth. The program's priorities and focus areas are multifaceted, designed to strengthen Washington's economic landscape. Key goals include establishing Washington as a global leader in critical industry sectors, supporting technology transfer and commercialization, accelerating the growth of new start-ups and scale-ups, and expanding existing businesses. A significant focus is placed on creating high-value jobs across Washington, increasing export opportunities, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in both business ownership and the workforce. These priorities underscore a comprehensive approach to economic development that values innovation, job creation, and equitable growth. Expected outcomes and measurable results are integral to the ICAP 2.5. COMMERCE intends to award no more than 10 applications, with individual grants ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. The project period is tentatively set to commence around September 1, 2024, and conclude by December 31, 2024, indicating a short, high-impact performance window. The success of the program will be measured by its ability to drive cluster operations, innovation in key sectors, and the attraction of talent and capital, all contributing to the overarching goal of accelerating economic development and strengthening industry ecosystems. While a formal "theory of change" is not explicitly stated, the program's design implicitly operates on the theory that targeted investment in industry-led consortia will foster innovation, create high-value jobs, and ultimately establish Washington as a leader in key industry sectors, thereby increasing economic prosperity and global competitiveness.

This grant provides funding for tourism-based marketing projects in Grays Harbor County, Washington, aimed at attracting visitors from outside the local area to promote overnight stays and tourism-related commerce.