The Building Communities Fund Program supports projects to buy, build or renovate community and social service centers.
The Building Communities Fund (BCF) Program provides grants to support non-residential community and social service centers. This funding helps expand access to services in communities with the greatest need.
If you are planning to buy, build or renovate a non-residential facility, this program can reimburse 25% of your eligible project costs. There is no minimum or maximum award.
Learn how BCF works, what it funds, and whether it may be a good fit for your project.
We appreciate your patience as we review all of the projects that have applied for funding to this program since the application cycle opened.
Applications who meet internal review requirements will be forwarded to our BCF Board for review and recommendation. The BCF Board hearings are planned to be scheduled in mid-October.
The next funding cycle will take place in the late spring/early summer of 2028. Please find more information about how the competitive grant process works in the Resources and Eligibility section of this page.
Resources
Application workshops
Attending a workshop can help you learn more about BCF grants and determine whether to apply.
2027–2029 Building Communities Fund Workshop Webinar, June 30, 2026
These links to our online workshop webinar recording (Vimeo), webinar PowerPoint (PDF) and list of Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) of the June 30, 2026 workshop, explains the Building Community Fund’s eligibility requirements and application process.
Public Records Notice: Meeting registration information, such as name and email address, is a public record and may be subject to disclosure, pursuant to the Chapter 42.56 RCW: PUBLIC RECORDS ACT.
Eligibility requirements
BCF grants are available to nonprofit organizations and Tribes registered in Washington.
To qualify, projects must serve a distressed community or a substantial number of low-income or disadvantaged people.
We define a distressed community as any of the following:
- A county with an unemployment rate of 20% above the state average for the last three years (see the distressed areas list from the Employment Security Department)
- An area within a county that is eligible under the federal New Markets Tax Credit Program (see the map of eligible areas at CohnReznick)
- A school district where at least 50% of K-12 students receive free or low-cost meals (see our list of eligible school districts)
To qualify for serving a substantial number of low-income or disadvantaged people, you must show that at least 40% of people you serve are either:
- At or below 200% of the poverty line (see the Poverty Level Guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services)
- Disadvantaged (see the Individual Determinations of Social and Economic Disadvantage from the Small Business Administration)
Not sure whether your project qualifies? Our eligibility page can help. It takes just a few steps to find out quickly whether you meet our requirements.
How the process works
Every two years, the Department of Commerce awards BCF grants through a competitive process. Learn how it works and what to expect.
Preparing your application
Knowing how to prepare a strong application will increase your chances of success. View tips and examples that will help you write effective responses.