Are you interested in shaping the future of your community? Do you want to add voices to the conversation about how your community looks and functions in the future? Is funding a barrier to your participation? If so, then you might be interested in this new funding opportunity.
Donor Name: Washington State Department of Commerce
State: Washington
County: Clallam County (WA), Clark County (WA), Island County (WA), Jefferson County (WA), Lewis County (WA), Mason County (WA), San Juan County (WA), Skagit County (WA), Thurston County (WA), Whatcom County (WA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/30/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Over the next few years, local city and county governments will update their comprehensive plans under the laws and regulations of the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA). A comprehensive plan is a policy document that provides a “road map” to the community’s vision and helps guide how a jurisdiction will grow, look, and operate into the future 20 years. In addition to the community’s vision, the plan includes goals, policies and objectives to guide thoughtful growth and development, infrastructure, public facilities and services. This includes:
- How land is used for housing, economic activity, transportation systems, utilities, parks and community spaces;
- A program of capital expenditures, particularly those necessary for growth, and a financing plan for those facilities; and
- How policies are implemented through development regulations like zoning that will be applied by planning staff when new development projects are submitted for review and approval.
Grant Objectives
- Facilitate community-based organizations participation in local comprehensive planning processes, providing representation for vulnerable populations and overburdened communities.
- Expand engagement with community members who traditionally have not participated in community planning efforts.
- Build relationships between community-based organizations and local governments.
Funding Information
- Commerce has budgeted $2 million of Climate Commitment Act Funds for a community-based participation program.
- Contract award amounts: Between $35,000 and $100,000 for the initial year of the grant program (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025).
- Successful applicants will engage in local comprehensive planning processes occurring within cities and counties as a result of funding support. Examples are included in the grant application instructions.
Uses of funds
Funds shall be used to increase community engagement in local planning processes by supporting the following types of activities:
- Build capacity, where needed, to become familiar with the Growth Management Act and participate in local comprehensive planning processes;
- Act as a liaison between local government(s) and communities, where needed, to bridge information gaps and assist with access barriers;
- Lift up the voice of community members, by organizing community meetings or other activities, and take this information back to local government officials.
Eligible Applicants
Grant applicants must:
- Be a Washington State-registered non-profit corporation;
- Be licensed to do business in Washington State; and,
- Participate in comprehensive planning activities in one or more of the following counties or cities within these counties: Clallam, Clark, Island, Jefferson, Lewis, Mason, San Juan, Skagit, Thurston, or Whatcom Counties.
For more information, visit WSDC.
