Understanding the Application Process

Understanding BCF grants

BCF grants help fund facilities that provide community and social services. These investments support communities in need by improving economic, social and educational opportunities.

Step 1: Know how our grants work

If you are considering building or renovating a facility to expand services for your community, BCF grants can help cover the costs. See the following details to determine if a BCF grant is right for your project.

Types of projects that BCF grants cover

BCF grants help pay for eligible costs to buy, build or improve non-residential community and social service centers.

How much can you apply for

BCF grants can reimburse up to 25% of a project’s eligible costs. There is no minimum or maximum dollar amount for grants. However, we cannot increase your grant amount if you need more funding later. This is why it is important to wait until you have firm cost estimates to apply.

Step 2: See if your organization meets the requirements

BCF grants are available only to certain types of organizations. This requirement is separate from the rules about what kind of projects can receive funding.

You can apply if you are one of the following:

• A tribe
• A nonprofit organization

Local governments and public facilities districts are not eligible.

Limited liability corporations (LLCs)

An LLC may own your facility if you can show you have:

• Ownership and control of the LLC
• Authority to sign documents
• Managing membership to run the facility
• Licenses from Washington’s Secretary of State and Department of Revenue

If you will not own your facility until the end of a tax credit period, you must have a signed lease of at least 15 years when you apply.

Before you can receive a BCF grant, you will need board approval.

Partnerships

You may partner with other nonprofits, local governments or tribes, but you must be the primary organization and be in charge of the entire facility and its services.

Your project must benefit the entire community, not just your partner’s clients or students. Your partnership must also be based on financial need.

Step 3: See if your project is eligible

Your project must:

• Involve buying, building or improving a non-residential facility for providing services
• Serve a distressed community or a substantial number of low-income or disadvantaged people
• Need state funds to complete

If your project is complete or has raised all needed funds, it is not eligible for a BCF grant.

Check Eligibility

Not sure whether your project qualifies for a BCF grant? See our Determining your Eligibility page for details.

Project plan requirements

If your project is eligible, it must also meet these 10 requirements for planning and readiness:

1. Expand services or improve their quality or efficiency
2. Serve a distressed community or a substantial number of low-income or disadvantaged people
3. Offer a variety of on-site activities that meet multiple community needs
4. Reflect a long-term vision for community growth shared by residents, businesses, leaders and partners
5. Need state funding to complete a specific project phase (fully funded or finished projects are not eligible)
6. Be ready to start and use funds right away
7. Have a sponsor with the long-term ability to manage the project and funds
8. Address an unmet need for community services
9. Achieve the project’s goals
10. Be a community priority, with commitments of resources from residents, leaders, businesses, government partners or others

Preparing to apply

If you decide that a BCF grant is right for your project, there are a few steps you will need to take before applying. The following guidance will help you get organized and ensure you have all the required information.

Step 1: Ensure your project has funding

BCF grants only cover 25% of a project’s costs. You do not need to have the other 75% of non-state funds when you apply, but you must have started a fundraising campaign and raised some funds.

Funding requirements

The following non-state funds can count toward the 75% of project funding you need to cover:

• Cash on hand
• Written pledges
• Funds from a letter of credit or other loan commitment
• The value of land for the project, based on an appraisal within six months of the application due date
• Donations of land and equipment (but not labor)

Funds from other state grants cannot count toward this 75%. If you receive other state grants, subtract those amounts from your project’s total budget that is eligible for BCF funding.

Example

Imagine your project’s total eligible budget is $1,000,000. Normally, you could apply for $250,000 from BCF. However, if other state grants provide $100,000 of that amount, you instead could only apply for $150,000.

Step 2: Get proof of land ownership

When you apply, you must show proof that you own or have a long-term lease for the land or building where your community or social service center will be. If you are buying a building or land, you can instead provide a signed purchase and sale agreement.

We cannot accept joint operating agreements or similar agreements. Lease agreements must be on record with the county.

Step 3: Ask for community support

To show that your project has support from the community, you will need to ask three local stakeholders to complete a Recommendation Survey. One of these stakeholders must be a city or county government.

Step 4: Gather the information and documents you will need

Gather as much information as possible about your organization and your project before applying. To learn more about the information you will need, see the BCF Program Guidelines.

Organization details

You must provide general details about your organization, including:

• The most recent annual report or publication describing your organization
• A current list of your governing board members
• For nonprofits, proof of current registration in Washington state

Financial statement or audit report

You must provide the following documents about your organization’s finances:

• A current, board-approved financial statement
• Your latest audit report from an independent certified public accountant (CPA), including a balance sheet

Green building certification

Under state law, certain buildings must meet “high-performance” or “green” standards. These buildings need certification through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. For details, see the BCF Program Guidelines.

Even if your project doesn’t need LEED certification, you must fill out our declaration form and include it with your application.

Funding sources

You must provide a brief document that describes each source of project funding over $25,000.

Partnership information

If your project is a partnership, you must provide a copy of an agreement that:

• Lasts at least 15 years
• Is in effect when you apply
• Gives you the authority to manage the facility and its services
• Has a plan for what happens if the partnership ends early or ownership changes

Submitting an application

Now that you have the required documents and information, it’s time to apply. You can access our online application form through ZoomGrants. The BCF application period opens in the summer of every even-numbered year.

If you have trouble accessing or using the ZoomGrants website, please contact their support team:

• Email: Questions@ZoomGrants.com
• Phone: 866-323-5404, extension 2

Step 1: Complete an eligibility test

Before you can complete the application, you will first need to answer questions about your eligibility for BCF grants.

Our team typically takes up to one business day to review your eligibility test and follow up with you.

Changes or corrections to your eligibility test

If we need more eligibility information from you, our team will contact you directly.

Step 2: Answer application questions and upload documents

If we approve your eligibility test, you can then complete the application form in ZoomGrants. You will need to answer questions about your project and upload any required documents.

For tips and examples of strong responses, see our Preparing your Application page.

Changes or corrections to your application

If there are issues with your application, our team may contact you to help address them. However, we cannot guarantee this.

To ensure you have prepared your application correctly, contact our team with any questions:

• Email: CapPrograms@Commerce.wa.gov
• Phone: 360-725-3075

Step 3: Interview with the BCF Board

After you fill out your application and we approve it for review, our Board will schedule an interview with up to two members of your organization. This is an opportunity for us to learn more about your project’s needs and why you are applying for a BCF grant.

Review and decision

Once you have applied and completed an interview with our Board, we will begin formally reviewing your application. Here’s what to expect as your application moves forward, from the approval process to filing for reimbursement.

Step 1: Know how the review process works

To receive funding, your project will need approval from our team and Board, the Governor and the Legislature. The entire review, approval and funding process takes about a year to complete.

Approval from our team

First, our team will check your application to ensure it meets all requirements. Next, we will send it to our Board for further review.

Our Board will then send you a letter with their decision. If they approve your application, the Department of Commerce will submit your BCF grant to the Governor as part of its proposed budget.

Approval from the Governor

In December, the Governor will submit a draft state budget for the Legislature to consider. They will decide whether to include your BCF grant in this budget, which is necessary for it to move to the final step in the review process.

Approval from the Legislature

The legislative session starts in January and ends in April or May. During this time, the Legislature will also decide whether to include your BCF grant in the final state budget.

Step 2: Receive a final decision

If the Legislature approves your BCF grant, you will get an award letter. The letter will explain the amount of funds you can receive and when those funds will be available.

Funds usually become available in September, but the exact timing may vary.

Step 3: Negotiate a contract

Before you can receive funds, you must sign a contract. Community Capital Facilities (CCF) will work with you to discuss and prepare it.

Once you provide all required information, CCF will usually finalize your contract within four to five weeks.

Contract requirements

You must meet the following requirements before CCF can prepare your contract:

• Provide proof of all non-state funds
• Complete all pre-contract requirements, such as tribal notification, archaeological review, LEED certification and intent to pay prevailing wages
• For grants over $250,000, provide a deed of trust and a promissory note on record with the county

For more details on contract requirements, see the BCF Program Guidelines.

Step 4: File for reimbursement

BCF grants reimburse 25% of eligible project costs. To get reimbursements, you will need to submit invoices to us. You cannot use reimbursed invoices for any other state grant.

We may also reimburse costs from before your contract’s signing date. This includes eligible costs from up to three years before the start of the funding period, which begins July 1.

Example

For the 2027–2029 funding period, we could reimburse eligible costs going back to July 1, 2024.

Costs we reimburse

• Design, architecture and engineering work
• Building permits and fees
• Archaeological or historical review
• Construction labor and materials
• Demolition and site preparation
• On-site construction management and supervision
• Furnishings and equipment that will last 13 years or more
• Technology infrastructure, such as cables and wiring
• Buying property and related costs, such as appraisals, title opinions, surveys, real estate fees, title transfer taxes, easements and legal costs

Costs we do not reimburse

• Your operating costs
• Volunteer labor
• Work from your grant writers, project managers or other employees
• Fundraising activities
• Feasibility studies
• Computers or office equipment
• Vehicles
• Lease payments for rented equipment or facilities
• Mortgages and property leases
• Moving equipment, furniture or other items between facilities
• Regular maintenance