Washington Science and Technology Grants

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.

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers the Farmland Preservation Grant program to purchase development rights on farmland so that it remains available for agriculture into the future. The program is part of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program and was expanded by the Legislature in 2005 to include significant farmland preservation. Funding supports acquisition of conservation easements and related incidental costs, along with eligible enhancement and restoration that improve agricultural viability, and stewardship planning. Typical projects acquire easements on farmland threatened by development. Enhancement and restoration elements may not exceed one half of total acquisition costs including match, and farm stewardship plans may not exceed 10,000 dollars. Eligible applicants include cities, counties, nonprofit nature conservancy corporations or associations, and the State Conservation Commission. Ineligible activities include short term rights under 25 years, acquisition of land already owned by government, property obtained through condemnation, consumable supplies except for a one time application as part of restoration, elements not considered fixtures or capital items, cleanup of illegal activities, indoor facilities, operating or overhead expenses, purchase of maintenance equipment or supplies, restoration conducted before grant agreement, and transfer of development rights. Applications are due May 1, 2024 through the state’s process. Grant limits are not otherwise specified. Further details are available from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

This program provides funding to municipalities, park districts, tribes, and nonprofits in Pierce County to preserve open spaces and enhance community recreational areas.

The 2025 Pierce County Historic Preservation Grant Program, funded by Pierce County in Washington, offers $10,000 to $100,000 for projects that preserve and promote the county's historical and cultural heritage, including the protection, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of significant structures or sites, and the preservation or interpretation of historically significant artifacts and documents.

This funding opportunity supports tourism-related projects and events in Cowlitz County, Washington, aimed at attracting visitors and enhancing the local hospitality experience.

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 for organizations to conduct sea turtle nesting surveys and conservation efforts at Wake Island Airfield, specifically targeting members of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units in the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii-Pacific Islands, or California.

The City of Fort Collins and the Department of Neighborhood Services offer neighborhood grants to foster positive neighboring activities and community improvements. These grants provide financial assistance to encourage community resiliency by fulfilling needs identified by neighbors through solutions developed by neighbors. The program aligns with the City's mission to bring people together, serve underrepresented communities, and promote sustainable choices. The target beneficiaries for these grants include residents, residents associations, homeowners associations, and nonprofits within Fort Collins city boundaries. The impact goals are to strengthen community connections, enhance neighborhood environments, and empower residents to address local challenges collaboratively. The program prioritizes projects that encourage creative ideas to improve neighborhoods and foster connections between neighbors. While the specific "Foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change" are not explicitly detailed as a separate entity, the grant program itself serves as a strategic initiative of the City of Fort Collins and its Department of Neighborhood Services. Their theory of change appears to be that by providing financial assistance and encouraging neighbor-led solutions, they can build stronger, more resilient communities. Expected outcomes include a variety of community improvements, ranging from cleanup events and community gardens to sustainable block parties. Measurable results would be evidenced by the successful implementation of diverse projects that enhance neighborhood life and promote neighbor-to-neighbor engagement. The funding range of $150-$1000 also provides a framework for the scale of these community-led initiatives.

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 to nonprofit organizations in Thurston, Lewis, or Mason counties that support youth mental health, particularly for underserved populations, through training and collaborative projects.

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office manages the Land and Water Conservation Fund in Washington to preserve and develop public outdoor recreation resources. The federal program, created by Congress in 1965, provides financial assistance for acquisition and development of parks, trails, and wildlife lands. Typical projects renovate community parks and build facilities such as skate parks, tennis courts, swimming pools, trails, and athletic fields, while protecting habitat where appropriate. Eligible activities include land acquisition and development or renovation of outdoor recreation areas. Grant limits range from 200,000 to 2,000,000 dollars. Eligible applicants include local agencies, special purpose districts such as park and recreation districts, Native American tribes, and state agencies. All communities may compete for funding. Applications are due May 1, 2024 through the state’s process. Grant duration is not stated. Official program details are available from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to a variety of organizations in King County, Washington, to deliver community-based parenting programs, home-based family services, and developmental screening for families with children from prenatal stages to age five.

This grant provides financial support and mentorship to early-stage cleantech entrepreneurs in the Midwest who are developing innovative solutions to promote economic growth and environmental sustainability.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to non-profit organizations, government agencies, and tourism-related facilities in Grays Harbor County, Washington, to enhance festivals and events that attract tourists.

This grant provides funding to dental clinics in Washington State to improve access to culturally appropriate oral health care for underserved communities, particularly BIPOC populations, through capital projects and technology enhancements.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations and schools in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods for improving local football fields, ensuring safe and accessible play spaces for community youth.

This funding opportunity supports community organizations, tribal groups, local governments, and ports in reducing air pollution through projects like replacing diesel vehicles and installing electric vehicle charging stations in overburdened areas of King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.

This program provides $1,000 grants to BIPOC small business owners in the Fourth Plain Corridor to help them purchase essential equipment that improves their operations and supports long-term growth.

This grant provides financial support to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington that focus on addressing basic human needs, community support, education, and enrichment programs.