The Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment is inviting applicants for its Duwamish River Opportunity Fund (DROF) to support community-led projects and programs that improve the quality of life and restore the health of people living and working in the neighborhoods closest to the Duwamish River Valley.
Donor Name: Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment
State: Washington
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/07/2023
Size of the Grant: Up to $40,000
Grant Duration: 9 months
Details:
DROF is a grant program that funds new and existing efforts focused on advancing priorities outlined in the Duwamish Valley Action Plan to address challenges faced by Duwamish River communities. The Duwamish Valley Action Plan is a City-community shared vision to promote collaboration and guide the City’s work and investments in the Duwamish Valley.
The DROF had been administered by Department of Neighborhoods (DON) and then transitioned to the Office of Sustainability & Environment (OSE) in 2023 to more closely align the Fund with the Duwamish Valley Program which is co-managed by OSE and the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD).
Proposals to the DROF should address one or more of the following community-identified priority areas outlined in the Duwamish Valley Action Plan:
- Healthy Environment: environmental development or restoration, climate change mitigation & air quality improvements, asthma prevention, access to affordable & healthy food, safe fishing
- Parks & Open Spaces
- Community Capacity: community resilience, community development, cultural & arts events
- Mobility & Transportation
- Economic Opportunity & Jobs: Job training or economic development
- Affordable Housing: affordable housing strategies
- Public Safety: pedestrian safety
- Healthy Lifestyle
- Emerging issues: COVID-19, Homelessness, West Seattle Bridge closure, etc
In addition to addressing at least one of the issue areas listed above, DROF funded projects must:
- Be conducted within the Duwamish River Valley and have leadership from people who live and work there
- Demonstrate community involvement in implementation
- Be free and accessible to the public
- Demonstrate an emphasis on racial and social equity
Funding Information
This year, $240,000 is available for grants up to $40,000 for efforts that take place during a 9-month period (January-September 2024).
Eligibility Criteria
Tribes and tribal organizations, community groups, informal groups, organizations and business groups are encouraged to apply. Groups that have received two consecutive years of DROF funding are not eligible to apply in this cycle. Groups become eligible again during the next grant cycle.
Eligible Applicants must:
- Have 501(c)3 nonprofit status; or
- Have a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)3 nonprofit status; or
- Be willing and able to secure a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)3 nonprofit status by December 1, 2023 if awarded a grant During the contracting period, OSE staff can help connect groups to potential fiscal sponsors if the group has not already selected one.
Ineligible Activities & Funding Restrictions
- Scholarships
- Purchase of land or buildings
- Purchase of equipment including cameras, video recording equipment, laptops, tablets, phones, cellphones, etc. The Fund can support rental of this equipment.
- Applicant’s overhead costs not related to the DROF project or program
- Individuals and government agencies are ineligible for funding
For more information, visit OSE.
