Frequently asked questions

Parks provides details about our grant programs in multiple places. Overview information, eligibility criteria, past grant awards, and application information can be found here on our website.

Applicants can also access resources documents in this folder on our public file sharing platform. Please email ParksGrants@kingcounty.gov if you have trouble accessing that folder or need accommodations. 

Yes, please email ParksGrants@kingcounty.gov with any translation or accommodation requests. We will work to provide any necessary resources in the language you require in a reasonable amount of time. 

Additionally, all information on this website can be automatically translated using the language selector button in the top right corner of this webpage. 

All applications and grant reporting occurs on the Parks Grants Portal. Organizations must make a free account to apply and grantees will use the platform to manage their awards. Each organization can have multiple users. Contact us if you need help accessing the Parks Grants Portal.

King County Parks will begin accepting applications on Monday, November 30, 2026 on the online portal for three grant programs. Visit the How to Apply page for the most up to date information.

Applications and supporting documents must be submitted online through the Parks Grant Portal. Late, incomplete, physically mailed, or emailed applications will not be accepted. Technical assistance by Parks staff will be available up until 30 minutes prior to applications closing, so please leave plenty of time to submit your applications.   

Yes, eligible applicants may submit multiple projects, but each project requires its own separate application. 

Yes, however, the applications should clearly illustrate how funding will be used for distinct project elements and/or expenses. Each application should also demonstrate how the proposed project aligns with the goals of that specific grant program. Award recommendations may be prioritized to ensure funding is distributed to as many projects as possible, rather than granting multiple awards to the same project. 

If you attempted to apply but experienced a technical issue, you must email ParksGrants@kingcounty.gov within two hours of the deadline. More detail on this process can be found in the Decisions & Protest Procedures section of the guidelines. 

Once you submit your application, the Grant Portal will no longer allow you to make changes. If you would like to edit your submitted application, please email ParksGrants@kingcounty.gov with the subject line “Reopen Application for (Organization Name – Project Name).” 

Please note, you will still need to submit your application before the deadline. Any late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

No, private and for-profit organizations are not eligible for Parks Grants. Eligible applicants include cities, towns, park districts, public school districts, public agencies, Tribes, and nonprofit organizations. Full eligibility information is available in the grant guidelines.

Yes, past or current award status does not impact applicant eligibility or scores. 

Yes, if eligible projects are not awarded funding, they are still eligible to apply for future grants, however a new application must be submitted via the Parks Grant Portal. Prior applicants for these grant programs may reference their past applications in the Historical Requests section of the grant portal.

A Letter of Intent is a common grant administration tool that notifies Parks that you intend to submit a grant application. It was added to the Parks application process as a short eligibility check. The information provided allows Parks to ensure each applicant is eligible for their intended grant program and the correct project type is selected. Each project type asks slightly different questions, so this eligibility check ensures Parks collects the correct information from each applicant. 

The Letter of Intent should take no more than 15 minutes and applicants will be notified of next steps within 2 business days. The Letter of Intent must be submitted before the stated deadline. No late or incomplete submissions will be accepted.

Yes, applicants who select “nonprofit” as their organization type will be asked to upload their 501(c)3 letter as recognition of their designation as a nonprofit. If they are in the process of receiving a 501(c)3 designation or have identified a fiscal sponsor for the application, they will still be eligible to apply. Successful 501(c)3 designation or proof of fiscal sponsorship will be required during contracting.

Once the awards are approved by King County leadership, all applicants will receive an email notifying them of their award status. Applicants will also gain access to their application score and rank in the Parks Grant Portal.

Yes, reduced awards are possible and may be awarded in response to a variety of factors, including the competitiveness of the applicant pool, evaluations of proposals, and available funding. If an applicant is awarded reduced funding, there will be an opportunity to negotiate project budget and scope of work in alignment with the initial scope of the approved project. 

Yes, grantees are reimbursed for eligible expenses after invoices and documentation are submitted. Information on required documentation is included in the Reimbursement Payments section of the guidelines.

Small nonprofits and fiscally sponsored organizations may request advance payments of up to $20,000 under certain conditions. Eligibility details are included in the Advanced Payments section of the guidelines.

No, Parks Grants do not require matching funds.

Grant funding from Parks requires a signed grant agreement to enable payment of public funds toward the approved project. During the contracting process, Parks staff work with grantees to develop the grant agreement, including a Scope of Work and Budget, as well as additional legal and administrative requirements in accordance with King County policy.   
  
Parks’ goal is to have grant agreements completed and signed within three months of final award notification, though projects with greater complexity may require additional time. After contract execution, funds are released on a reimbursement basis and upon completion of requirements identified in the grant agreement.

Insurance is required for all grantee organizations and will be verified by King County prior to execution of the grant agreement. Insurance thresholds are determined during the contracting period based on the project activities. King County has a minimum requirement of $1M General Occurrence and $2M Aggregate. Cost for insurance may be included in the grant budget and paid by the grant award. 

Projects involving land acquisition or capital construction generally require a Declaration of Covenant to ensure long-term public access. These covenants typically last 30 years.

Some costs incurred between award decision and contract execution may be eligible for reimbursement, except construction costs. Pre-contract costs must be approved by Parks before they are incurred.

The length of contracts will be based on the estimated time needed to complete the awarded project. Typically, contracts will be 1-3 years but can vary based on a variety of factors. Contract extensions may be approved on a case-by-case basis.

Any changes to project scope, budget, timeline, or location must be approved by Parks and may require a formal amendment to the grant agreement.