The Washington State Department of Commerce is soliciting applications from non-profit organizations to support planning and readiness activities for capital projects expected to be completed or shovel-ready within the next five years. This includes funding for pre-development and pre-construction work, such as feasibility studies, design, permitting, and stakeholder engagement.
Who is eligible to apply
Eligible applicants include Washington State non-profit organizations that meet the following minimum qualifications:
- Must be designated as a Washington State non-profit by the WA Secretary of State and the IRS
- Must be licensed to do business in Washington or commit to becoming licensed within 30 days of award
- Must not be fiscally sponsored – See Amendment 1 in Associated Files
- Must have a capital project that is expected to be completed or shovel-ready by 2030
Funding available
Total available funding is $390,000 for FY26. Commerce expects to award a small number of grants under this program. Applicants may request up to $50,000. Requests exceeding this amount will be rejected as non-responsive.
Eligible uses of funding
Funding may support a range of early-stage capital project activities, including:
- Project plans and feasibility assessments
- Budget planning and lifecycle cost analysis
- Community and stakeholder engagement
- Schematic drawings, site plans, and design studies
- Environmental, engineering, and permitting work
Note: Funds may not be used for direct construction, land acquisition, or general operating expenses not tied to the capital project.
Application process
This is a two-phase competitive process.
Phase 1 – Initial Project Summary
- Due: January 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. PT
- Submit Exhibit B (Initial Project Summary) via email to the RFA Coordinator
Phase 2 – Full Application
- Due: February 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. PT
- Only applicants selected from Phase 1 will be invited to submit a full application.
Applicant Conference:
A conference will be held on December 30, 2025 11:30 a.m, Pacific time. The recording link is below in Associated Files.
How to apply
- Applications must be submitted electronically in Word or PDF format.
- Zipped files and faxed submissions will not be accepted.
- All required exhibits must be included for the application to be considered responsive.
Deadline
- Phase 1 Deadline: January 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. PT
- Phase 2 Deadline: February 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. PT
Late applications will not be accepted.