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Request for proposal: 2026 Uplift White Center community fund
Participatory grantmaking overview
The Uplift White Center Community Fund, co-designed by the White Center – North Highline Community Advisory Board, will distribute approximately $1.1 million in 2026–2027 public funds to support community-driven investments in the unincorporated area of North Highline / White Center.
The 2026 funding cycle uses a community-led Participatory Grantmaking approach, building on lessons and community input from King County’s previous Participatory Budgeting cycles. The process centers community voice, leadership, equity, and shared decision-making by engaging community members in shaping funding priorities, grantmaking processes, outreach, and proposal review.
Unlike previous Participatory Budgeting, the 2026 process will not include a community-wide vote. Instead, eligible organizations will apply through a competitive grant process, with trained community members participating in the review, selection, and recommendation of proposals. The goal is to ensure public investments reflect community-identified priorities and needs while strengthening transparency, trust, and community power.
On this page
White Center/North Highline Community Advisory Board vision
Our vision includes investing in a community-guided, need-based future for White Center by uplifting, encouraging, and supporting people and businesses of all backgrounds through inclusive and diverse funding that creates opportunities to thrive and grow together. We envision a more unified White Center where community-first investment fosters opportunity and belonging for all ages, while public spaces reflect our diversity, pride, and creativity building a stronger future together, step by step.Our participatory grantmaking values
- Racial Equity: Consider whether the proposal helps address racial inequities and barriers experienced by communities that have been historically underserved or harmed by racism.
- Needs-Based Investment: Consider whether the proposal responds to a real and important community need and whether the investment is directed where it can make a meaningful difference.
- Community Empowerment: Look for ways community members have a voice in shaping, leading, or carrying out the proposed work.
- Community Engagement: Consider whether the applicant has meaningfully listened to and engaged the people who will be affected by the project.
- Building Community: Consider whether the proposal strengthens relationships, leadership, connection, skills, or community capacity.
- Accountability: Consider whether the applicant clearly explains what it will do, who it will serve, and how it will follow through on its commitments.
- Transparency: Consider whether the proposal clearly explains its activities, expected results, partnerships, and use of funding.
- Inclusion: Consider whether the proposal removes barriers and creates opportunities for people with different backgrounds, abilities, languages, ages, and experiences to participate.
Process objectives
- Addressing racial disparities
- Advancing educational equity
- Building social infrastructure
- Creating safe and inclusive spaces
- Cultural expression
- Empowering youth and future generations
- Enhancing environmental justice
- Fostering health and wellness
- Increasing access to resources
- Promoting economic empowerment
Minimum eligibility criteria to apply
- Must have an active Washington State business license and Federal Tax ID number/Employer Identification Number (EIN) and remain in good standing prior to submission.
- Must not be prohibited from receiving government funding or entering into contract with government agencies
- Must benefit the unincorporated area of North Highline / White Center
Community identified priority areas
| Community priority area | Examples of eligible activities |
|---|---|
| Youth and senior programs | After-school programs, summer and enrichment programs, senior enrichment, early childhood education, and programs supporting neurodivergent children and youth. |
| Beautification and restoration | Community and cultural art projects, streetscaping, soft scaping, neighborhood beautification, and restoration activities. |
| Community events | Block parties, movie nights, community gatherings, and similar events that bring residents together. |
| Public safety | Youth‑focused gun prevention education, immigrant resources, legal clinics, and other community‑based public safety initiatives. |
| Health and wellness | Food justice, access to healthy food, community gardens, food banks, farmers’ market support, and other health and wellness initiatives. |
| Economic development | Programs that strengthen household and community economic stability, including rental assistance programs that provide direct assistance to community members experiencing housing cost burdens. |
| Workforce development | Apprenticeships, hands‑on job training, teen internship resources, career readiness, and other employment preparation programs. |
| Sustainability and environment | Recycling programs, waste reduction efforts, recycling education and courses, environmental education, and other sustainability initiatives. |
Funding available by priority area
The Uplift White Center Community Fund will provide approximately $1.1 million in grant funding across eight community priority areas. Applicants may request funding within the minimum and maximum award ranges shown below.
| Community Priority Area | Minimum Award | Maximum Award | RFP Fund Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth/senior programs | $25,000 | Up to $100,000 | $238,333 |
| Beautification/restoration | $50,000 | Up to $100,000 | $165,000 |
| Community events | $50,000 | Up to $137,500 | $137,000 |
| Public safety | $35,000 | Up to $128,333 | $128,333 |
| Health and wellness | $25,000 | Up to $80,000 | $119,167 |
| Economic development | $50,000 | Up to $119,167 | $119,167 |
| Workforce development | $50,000 | Up to $119,167 | $119,167 |
| Sustainability and environment | $25,000 | Up to $73,333 | $73,333 |
Funding available: Amounts shown represent the funding available for each priority area and not guaranteed allocations. Actual awards will depend on the number and quality of eligible proposals received, available funding, and the number of proposals selected for funding. Funds may be shifted between priority areas through the Contingency Funding process.
Additional funding consideration
The funding amounts listed for each Community Priority Area represent planned funding pools, not guaranteed allocations. The final amount awarded within each priority area will depend on the number of eligible applications received, the strength of proposals, and available funding. To maximize the use of available funds, the County may shift unused funds to other priority areas through the Contingency Funding process.
Contingency funding
If funds remain after initial awards are made, unused funds will be moved into a Contingency Fund. These funds may be used to provide additional awards to eligible projects in funding areas where requests exceed the available funding, helping to ensure all available grant funds are awarded.How funding decisions will work
- The final number of awards will depend on the proposals received, their funding needs, the review process, and available funds.
- If funds remain unused in one priority area, the CAB may recommend reallocating those funds to another priority area, consistent with the approved funding framework and applicable County requirements.
- Applicants should request the amount needed to successfully complete the proposed project, based on the cost of implementing (actual or estimated) rather than requesting a strategic number in the hopes of being selected.
Partial funding and project scope
If sufficient funding is not available to fully fund a proposed project, the County may work with the applicant to adjust or reduce the project scope and budget so the project can be implemented within the available funding. Any changes will be discussed and agreed upon with the applicant before an award is finalized.Important note for applicants
Funding is competitive. Meeting the minimum or maximum award range does not guarantee funding. Final award amounts will be based on the proposal review and scoring process, the strength and feasibility of the proposed project, community need and impact, alignment with the funding priorities, and available funding.
Proposal review and scoring: Proposals will be reviewed and scored using consistent criteria focused on community need, community benefit, racial equity and inclusion, proposal quality, budget appropriateness, community voice and leadership, community trust. Rating criteria can be found in the RFP Application.
Frequently asked questions
The information below serves as the official response to Uplift White Center and Elevate Skyway Community Fund RFP questions. Questions can be directed to UKCPB@kingcounty.gov and will be responded to within 48 hours.
Please note that responses are not considered official until they are documented and posted on this page. Updates will be posted by 5 p.m. every Friday from 9/18 through 10/9 and any changes to previous questions/responses will be shown as “AMENDED”. The County reserves the right to amend responses throughout the Q&A period.
Questions will be received through October 5th, noon. No more questions will be considered or responded to after that date/time.
Yes. The application allows for a priority area and a 2nd priority area.
Yes. An applicant can submit an application for both Elevate Skyway and Uplift White Center.
If you don’t have your own dedicated space for your project, you may reach out to other community organizations to partner.
The County will only contract with one entity. If you have a partnership agreement it should establish who is primary and will manage the contract, and who is secondary.
The Rating Committee will be selected by the Community Advisory Board (CAB). Community members will be trained/onboarded by King County staff, including how to rate/score (rubric), and policies on bias.
No. Choose the main category and identify the total amount for the project. A technical assistance provider can help.
Consider choosing the 2 main priority areas for a single project. If you are proposing more than one project that is completely different, consider submitting more than 1 proposal.
Put both festivals in the same proposal. The application allows for a priority area and a 2nd priority area.
There is no appeals process.
All scores and ratings/notes will be recorded. An applicant can request a conversation about why their application was denied. Information about other applications will not be provided.
A rubric is how the Rating Committee members will score applications. Focus on the points and work with a Technical Assistance (TA) provider.
See table on last page in the Application. Will also be online. NOTE: The rubric has been updated since the September 16 meeting.
Yes - their categories are different.
Technical assistance (TA) providers will help you use worksheets and tools, including for budget. It is ok to start with broadline items and budget, but the final application will need to include what costs are being paid for. Worksheets will be provided at the September 23 TA session and online.
TA providers list will be available online after the September 23 technical assistance session. You will be able to choose your TA provider. If you need to change, please email j.bang@kingcounty.gov.
No application examples will be provided, however there will be Scope of Work, Budget, and other examples provided.
No - you may apply to this RFP if you are not within White Center, but your program must benefit White Center residents.
All projects and contracts must end by the end of 2027.
Look at project details, what you want to do – and consider whether your organization is fiscally able to fund up front. It takes net 30 to be reimbursed. But if you are missing receipts, it puts you back in queue and then could take longer. Consider Fiscal Sponsor if needed. You choose your own; contract will be held with fiscal sponsor not the organization. Advance payment may be available on a case-by-case basis.
Hopefully the same – if any changes should only be for improvements.
If you have a fiscal sponsor, they will be the County contractor and will bill the County on your behalf. They then would pay you for the program work. Consider how long a fiscal sponsor might take. Ensure you have a positive relationship with them. It is important to understand the invoicing process. If you need to hire someone to help you, be sure to add that to your budget.
We are working to ensure contracts will start January 1, 2027.
A capital project is generally a project that builds, improves, or makes a lasting change to a building, property, park or other physical space whereas a beautification project makes a space more attractive, welcoming or visually appealing.
The ages for youth can vary, please note this age range if your program will be working with youth.
Applicants are asked to apply online:
Elevate Skyway - Community Fund 2026 - Request for Proposal (Application) - Airtable
Uplift White Center Community Fund 2026 – Request for Proposal (Application) - Airtable
Please note the online application will not save your answers so you should have all your answers and materials ready before you start the online process.
To request another format for submitting a grant application, please email UKCPB@kingcounty.gov.
Yes.
Please review the Community Priority Area Funding Chart for the request for proposal (RFP) you are submitting an application for. This is available online.
Yes.
Yes.
This will be dependent on your operations. Monthly is recommended but this may be case by case.
No. The County cannot recommend fiscal sponsors. Please note that if you choose a fiscal sponsor, any resulting contract will be with that fiscal sponsor – not with your organization.
Yes.
Please send detailed information to UKCPB@kingcounty.gov.
No - all details from these slides are available online.