Washington Grants

The Fire Management Assistance Grant Program is a grant program authorized under the Stafford Act that can reimburse a large portion of the costs to state, local and federally recognized tribal governments for the mitigation, management and control of fires on publicly or privately owned forests or grasslands. The program is authorized when a fire receives a federal fire declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). A federal fire declaration may be requested and issued for an uncontrolled fire when a threat of a major disaster exists. The fire declaration process is initiated by the state when an authorized representative submits a request for a federal fire declaration to the FEMA Regional Administrator. These declarations are requested while a fire is burning uncontrolled and threatens to cause enough damage as would warrant a major disaster declaration (under the criteria for either Public Assistance or Individual Assistance). The entire process is accomplished on an expedited basis and a FEMA decision is rendered in a matter of hours. The FMAG Program provides a 75 percent Federal cost share for eligible emergency response and fire suppression costs.

The Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) provides state, local, tribal and territorial emergency management agencies with the resources required for implementation of the National Preparedness System and works toward the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient nation. The EMPG’s allowable costs support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery mission areas. The purpose of the EMPG Program is to provide federal grants to states to assist state, local, territorial and tribal governments in preparing for all hazards, as authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act), as amended (42 U.S.C. §§ 5121 et seq.) and Section 662 of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, as amended (6 U.S.C. § 762). EMPG provides emergency management agencies with the resources required for implementation of the National Preparedness System and works toward the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient nation. EMPG’s allowable costs support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response and Recovery mission areas. A portion of each award is passed through to eligible city, county, and tribal emergency management organizations. Eligibility requirements and allocation methodology are documented within WAC 118-09.

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program provides funding for a broad range of land protection and outdoor recreation, including local and state parks, trails, water access, and the conservation and restoration of state land. The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program was envisioned as a way for the state to accomplish two goals: acquire valuable recreation and habitat lands before they were lost to other uses and develop recreation areas for a growing population. This landmark legislation passed in 1990 and the grant program's continued funding have come about through the support of governors, the Legislature, and groups such as the many organizations comprising the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition.

The program funds projects that acquire, develop, and renovate firearm ranges and archery training and practice facilities. It was created by the Legislature in 1990 after a report assessing the needs of law enforcement, sports groups, and the public identified a need for a program and funding to support shooting facilities. Typical Projects Installing fences, berms, and other noise and safety elements Upgrading firearms and archery equipment Renovating clubhouses Building new shooting courses Funding is awarded every 2 years and comes from a portion of each concealed pistol license fee.

This federal grant program provides funding to develop and renovate boating facilities targeting guest recreational boats 26 feet and larger. Grants also may be used for boater education. Typical Projects Renovating guest docks Installing utilities to moorage docks Building moorage docks and floats. Funding generally is awarded every 2 years. Funding comes through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from federal gas taxes deposited in the federal Aquatic Resources Trust Fund.

Export Vouchers, funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), reimburses eligible export expenses up to $10,000, depending on the expense. The following lists the eligible activities and reimbursement levels. If your business qualifies, you may receive up to the maximum allowed for that activity, or a lesser amount. Awards are granted based on committee review of your export voucher application.Qualifying Export Expenses Design of international marketing, digital advertising Website design, maintenance and international payment handling Online market listing fees E-commerce platform fees Expenses to set up a website to accept international payments Services of the U.S. Commercial Service International shipment of product samples Compliance requirements to enter an export market Export research tool subscription Cost associated with international IP protection (limited to the following–USPTO PCT transmittal fee, filing fee, search fee; Hague Intl Design App transmittal fee, Trademark Madrid Protocol fee) International business travel (airfare only) International trade show or trade mission fees (virtual or in-person) Foreign market sales trips Translation of marketing media, including audio/video EXIM Credit Insurance fees

The Public Works Board (Board) Broadband program is authorized by state statute (RCW 43.155.160). Its purpose is to loan and grant funding to promote the expansion of broadband access to unserved populations in rural and urban communities across the state. $2 million per project loan/grant award limit with a 50% match. Projects in financially distressed areas and Indian country may receive up to 90% of the total project cost for a total not to exceed $5 million.

Created in 1964, the Boating Facilities Program provides grants to acquire, develop, and renovate facilities for motorized boats and other watercraft, including launching ramps, guest moorage, and support facilities. Typical Projects Renovating boat launches Adding guest moorage facilities Building parking, restrooms, and other boating amenities To apply for this funding, grant applicants must have completed a comprehensive recreation or conservation plan. Match Details Match may include the following: Applicant’s labor, equipment, and materials Appropriations or cash Bonds Conservation futures Corrections labor Donations of cash, land, labor, equipment, and materials Federal, state, local, and private grants Local agencies and special purpose districts must provide 25 percent match for each project, and at least 10 percent of the total project cost must be from a non-state, non-federal contribution. State applicants do not need to provide match. Tribes need to provide 25 percent match.

Since 1986, the state’s Housing Trust Fund has invested over $2 billion in capital funding and helped build or preserve more than 58,600 affordable housing units statewide. The Washington Legislature makes biennial appropriations in the capital budget and directs the Department on how to invest the funds. The Housing Trust Fund provides capital financing through loans or grants to affordable housing projects through annual competitive application cycles.For over 25 years the Policy Advisory Team (PAT) has provided recommendations and advice on affordable housing policy for Commerce and the Affordable Housing Advisory Board (AHAB). RCW 43.185A.020 requires Commerce to develop and administer its affordable housing program with advice and input from AHAB. Commerce has made it a priority to make our community feedback more representative of communities most impacted by the housing crisis and discrimination in housing. Incorporating the voices of community members, and particularly centering voices of communities that experience marginalization and discrimination in access to housing, was a priority throughout a consultant-led process, which involved multiple public meetings across 2023. As a result of this process, Commerce recognizes the need to improve engagement holistically, and is presenting a proposal that replaces the current PAT. This proposal focuses on the following strategies to increase transparency of decision making by incorporating input from diverse stakeholders with reasonable timelines, presentations and multiple feedback channels.

We anticipate our next funding cycle to open in early 2024. 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. 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

The LOCAL program provides Washington municipalities with a cost-effective way to finance equipment and/or real estate projects. Participants will benefit from the current program rating of Moody’s Aa1, low fees and expenses, technical assistance, and access to the tax-exempt bond market. The LOCAL Program allows participants access to the national tax-exempt market through a competitive bid process, regardless of the size of their financing contract • By pooling with the State’s Aa1 rated COP issuances, LOCAL participants are able to take advantage of the State’s very low tax-exempt interest rates

The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program utilizes federal funds to support communities in providing street outreach, emergency shelter, rental assistance, and related services. This program provides resources for adults and families with children experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The purpose of the ESG program is to provide homelessness prevention assistance to households who would otherwise become homeless and to provide assistance to rapidly re-house persons who are experiencing homelessness. The funds under this program are intended to target individuals and families who would be homeless but for this assistance. The funds will provide various assistance, including short-term or medium-term Rental Assistance, Housing Search and Placement, and Housing Stability Case Management.

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program provides funding for a broad range of land conservation efforts, from conserving natural areas near big cities to protecting the most pristine and unique collections of plants in the state, including some of last remaining plant species in the world. The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program was envisioned as a way for the state to accomplish two goals: acquire valuable recreation and habitat lands before they were lost to other uses and develop recreation areas for a growing population. This landmark legislation passed in 1990 and the grant program's continued funding have come about through the support of governors, the Legislature, and groups such as the many organizations comprising the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition.

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.

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses and nonprofits in Burien, Washington, to repair storefront glass damaged by vandalism or property crime, helping them recover from economic disruptions caused by such incidents.

When oil spills impact our natural, cultural and historic, and publicly owned resources, we work with other federal, state, and local agencies and tribes to restore those resources to pre-spill conditions. The Coastal Protection Fund (CPF) was created as a way to fund restoration and enhancement projects and studies with money collected through oil spill penalties and natural resource damage assessments. Since 1993, over 125 restoration projects have been funded by the Coastal Protection Fund Spills Program sub-accounts. Amount of funding available: Variable. Funding awards depend on revenue from damage assessment claims and oil spill penalties. Maximum available funding is usually between $100,000 and $400,000. Grant award limit: To maximize available funding, the typical grant award ranges from $10,000 to $50,000. Amount of matching funds required: There are no recipient match or cost-share requirements, since Spills CPF grants provide 100 percent of project Total Eligible Cost. Spills CPF grants also can help meet match requirements for other state grants.

This program provides financial support to eligible organizations in King County, Washington, to present live performing arts events featuring approved artists, promoting accessible cultural experiences for the community.

Our Water Quality Combined Funding Program is an integrated funding program for projects that improve and protect water quality throughout the state. The program combines grants and loans from state and federal funding sources. We also provide technical assistance to program applicants to help them navigate this process. We have one combined funding cycle, one application, one competitive rating process, and one list of funding offers. Applicants submit just one application for all of the funding sources under the Water Quality Combined Funding Program. Amount of funding available: Varies based on the state budget — ranges from $100 million to $200 million annually. Grant award limit: Varies depending on funding source and project type. See the current funding year guidelines below for more information. Amount of matching funds required: Depends on the funding source you receive, can be up to 25 percent match required.

The Construction Loan Program focuses on the activities that repair, replace, or create a facility. A construction loan project may comprise any combination of pre-construction and construction elements. The Public Works Board awarded funding for its most recent construction cycle at its September 8, 2023 meeting. View the full list of awardees and applicants in Box. The Board anticipates opening its next construction funding cycle in Spring 2024. The Public Works Board (Board) is authorized by state statute (RCW 43.155). Its purpose is to loan and grant money to counties, cities, and special purpose districts to repair, replace, or create infrastructure.

The Legislature created the Transportation Improvement Board to foster state investment in quality local transportation projects. The TIB distributes grant funding, which comes from the revenue generated by three cents of the statewide gas tax, to cities and counties for funding transportation projects. TIB's grant programs are catagorized by the type of customer agency each program is intended to serve. TIB typically issues a call for projects each June for the next year's funding program. The TIB application process follows these steps: Decide which TIB Funding programs your agency is eligible for. Download the appropriate funding application and complete a separate application for each project you want to be considered for funding. Funding applications are made available in June. Submit/postmark your application by the application due date - typically near the end of August. TIB engineering staff will begin reviewing and scoring all applications in September. TIB uses a priority array process for each funding program to identify projects that best meet the intent of the program. Criteria are developed by the Board in cooperation with local agencies. TIB staff present a list of recommended projects to the board at the November meeting. If your project is selected, you will be contacted by TIB engineering staff about what steps to take next.