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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.
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
On this page
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.