Funding Amount

Up to $10,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Washington State Productivity Board

Status: Active - reinstated in 2023 legislative session after hiatus

Geographic Scope: Washington State public employees

Overview: The Productivity Board incentivizes state employees to help state government operate more efficiently through innovation and process improvement. The program encourages cost savings and waste elimination.

    Purpose

  • Incentivizes state employees to improve operational efficiency
  • Encourages innovation to eliminate waste
  • Reduces unnecessary spending
  • Recognizes employee contributions to better government operations

    Eligibility

  • Washington State public employees
  • Employees can submit individual suggestions
  • Employees collaborate with supervisors on submissions

    Award Information

  • Maximum Award: Up to $10,000 per idea
  • Awards based on feasibility and impact of suggestions
  • Recent example (2025): Local 443 member awarded $10,000 for improving letter translation process in Paid Family Medical Leave program

    Recent Activity

  • Since reinstatement in 2023, over 90 submissions received from public employees across Washington State
  • Active acceptance of new submissions

    Example Success

    Hollyann Dahlberg, Employment Security Department (ESD) employee:
  • Received $10,000 award (maximum) for idea
  • Proposed adjusting notification letter phrasing for better advance translation
  • Result: Eliminated 7-10 day translation delays; beneficiaries now receive notices same day as English speakers
  • Implementation: Successfully implemented at ESD

Contact Information:

  • AFSCME Council 28 (WFSE)

  • 1212 Jefferson Street

  • Olympia, WA 98501

  • Phone: 1-833-MCC-WFSE (833-622-9373)
  • How to Apply

    Application Process

    1. Preparation Phase
    - Develop your improvement idea
    - Consult with your supervisor about the concept

    2. Submission
    - Complete online form with supervisor
    - Both employee and supervisor participate in form completion
    - Submit through official Productivity Board portal

    3. Review Process
    - Submission is scheduled for board review meeting
    - Employee attends the meeting where their submission is reviewed
    - Other submissions also reviewed during same meeting

    4. Decision
    - Decision is announced the same day as the meeting
    - Award determination (if approved) includes amount

      Key Notes

    • Described as "relatively simple" process by recent winner
    • Supervisor collaboration required but not burdensome
    • Same-day decision provides quick feedback
    • No lengthy waiting period for results

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    workforce-development

    Categories

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