Building for Equity: Facilities Grants

The 4Culture Building for Equity: Cultural Facilities Grants aim to enhance cultural work in King County by providing $1,100,000 for building, remodeling, and purchasing specialized facilities. This initiative emphasizes racial equity and requires applicants to demonstrate a commitment to anti-racism practices. Eligible organizations must have at least a two-year operational history and meet specific criteria related to financial stability and site control. Projects under $10 million are prioritized, fostering a racially equitable cultural landscape.

NOTE: These guidelines reflect information for last year’s grant cycle and will be updated ahead of applications opening for the next cycle.
This grant is funded by King County’s Lodging Tax and sales tax through Doors Open legislation. Please review the eligibility requirements below and update your organization’s account profile before starting your application.
What Building for Equity: Facilities Funds?
Facilities grants provide funding for building, remodeling, and buying specialized space that houses and facilitates culture, science and technology-based experiences in King County. Approximately $4.7 million is available in the funding pool for this cycle.
Organizations, governments, and public agencies that focus on the arts, heritage, historic preservation, or science and technology, and provide public benefit through their programs or activities, are eligible to apply.
Foundational to this grant is King County’s Building for Equity initiative to support cultural building projects, create a pathway to racial equity in cultural facilities funding, and provide a unique combination of funding, technical support, and strategic partnerships.
If your organization is looking for funding for equipment, we encourage you to check out our Equipment grant. Projects that consist of general maintenance and repairs, the purchase of consumable items like light bulbs and tools, regular staff salaries, or program expenses are not eligible for this grant.

Eligibility

Building for Equity: Facilities grants are available to King County-based, federally recognized nonprofit arts, cultural, heritage, historic preservation, science and technology organizations; public corporations, Tribal governments, and public agencies; or culture or science organizations that are fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) partner organization. Applicants must have at least a two-year operating history and demonstrated long-term control of a physical site.To apply, your organization must demonstrate it meets all of the eligibility requirements stated here.