Best Starts for Kids: Capital Program (Priority 1) Grant

Best Starts for Kids: Capital Program (Priority 1) Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: King County Department of Community and Human Services
Amount: Up to US $5,000,000
Last Updated: March 20, 2026

Summary

Overview

Note: Pre-Proposals are mandatory for all applicants and will determine applicant eligibility. Pre-Proposals will be reviewed for project eligibility and alignment with minimum qualifications. Only pre-proposals that meet eligibility and minimum qualifications will be invited to complete a full Proposal. King County Department of Community and Human Services We offer access to a range of services to help our county's most vulnerable residents and strengthen our communities. For most work, we contract with our trusted network of community-based agencies to provide direct services. The services and programs include behavioral health treatment, affordable housing, childcare, education and employment for youth and young adults, veterans services, support for seniors, and inclusive resources for people with developmental disabilities. Best Starts for Kids Capital Program (Priority 1) Best Starts’ Capital Program Context Best Starts’ Capital Program will provide contracts for building repairs, Renovations and New Construction or expansion to improve access to high quality programs and services for Low-Income children, young people, and families. Projects across all priorities may include: Recreational Facilities Community Centers Child Care Facilities Early Learning Centers Affordable Housing Priority will be given to projects serving the following communities: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Low-Income Rural areas; and/or Areas Without Physical Access to similar facilities Further, consistent with recommendations from the Children and Youth Advisory Board (CYAB), the program will also prioritize funding sites that are: Multi-Use Intergenerational; and/or Include covered outdoor spaces. The program will focus on equitable community-driven development to ensure projects are aligned with and serve communities’ needs. Priority will also be given to developments that leverage other capital investments, including King County Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account (PSTAA) and affordable housing funds. All Best Starts-supported projects are expected to have Culturally Responsive Child Care and Early Learning services or other programs for children and young people. Funded buildings and facilities are also expected to host permanent low-cost or free programming for Low-Income households. This Proposal This RFP will fund only Priority 1 projects. Priority 1 projects must complete Construction or Renovation of existing property to provide for Community Centers or Recreational Centers which prioritize serving Low-Income and/or BIPOC children, youth and families lacking access to similar facilities. This funding will support capital projects that benefit Low-Income and/or BIPOC communities. These projects will create safe places for young people and access to caring adults that offer stimulating expanded learning programs, including high-quality educational or recreational programming for children and young people. Best Starts’ Capital expects funds to be geographically dispersed throughout the County and will support youth programming serving communities that historically have had limited or no access to facilities for such services. DCHS will evaluate the siting of new facilities and buildings based on the proximity to other similar facilities and transportation accessibility.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. This request is open to for-profit and nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, tribes and tribal organizations and public or governmental agencies serving communities in King County. Small nonprofits and community-based organizations are encouraged to submit Applications. Organizations may partner to submit one application as a partnership, but one organization must be designated as the lead for the application. All Proposals must meet all of the following minimum qualifications in order to be considered for an award: Applicant is completing New Construction or Renovation of existing property OR is requesting a Capital Planning Grant.Project is a Community Center or Recreational Center. No other project types are permitted.Request does not exceed $100,000 for Capital Planning Grants or $5,000,000 for other construction projects.Project site is owned or leased by applicant organization.If leased, organization must have owner support of proposed construction activities.Facility is located in and serves communities in King County.Applicant serves Low-Income children, youth and families. The program will prioritize for those serving BIPOC communities, Rural areas and/or areas Without Physical Access to similar facilities. Desired QualificationsApplicant runs or proposes to run a facility that is:Multi-Use; Intergenerational; and/or Has outdoor covered space Applicant can assemble a design, architecture, engineering and/or contractor team.Applicant can manage a construction project.Applicant has financial systems that can track income and expenditures.Prior experience reporting performance measurements.Applicant is leveraging other capital investments, including County Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account (PSTAA) funds.Applicant hosts Culturally Responsive programming and/or permanent low-cost or free programming for Low-Income households, consistent with recommendations from the Children and Youth Advisory Board (CYAB).

Ineligibility

This funding will NOT cover the following costs: Non-construction materials and equipment.Retroactive funding (payment for goods, work, or services that have already been delivered or performed).Transportation/Travel.Staffing costs or other salaries.Emergency funding.Mortgage or utility bills.