Capital Project Capacity-Building Grant Program

The Washington State Department of Commerce is soliciting applications for the Capital Project Capacity-Building Grant Program under solicitation number 2027-CCI-173-01. This program provides grant funding to eligible local governments, federally recognized tribal governments, and federally designated nonprofit organizations to support organization capacity-building. The primary goal is to advance early-stage capital projects to be shovel-ready by 2031, specifically targeting benefits for overburdened communities in Washington. Eligible activities include technical assistance, such as financial planning and stakeholder engagement, as well as predevelopment activities like feasibility analysis, site assessment, and surveying. The program is structured as a deliverables-based reimbursement grant, meaning grantees must pay eligible expenses in advance and submit specific work products and billing statements for reimbursement. The total available funding consists of 1.9 million dollars from Washington State Capital Funds for local and tribal governments and 400,000 dollars from Washington State Operating Funds. The tentative period of performance is from January 1, 2027, to June 30, 2027. Applications must be submitted electronically by 3:00 PM on October 30, 2026. Awards are based on a 100-point scoring system, evaluating the proposed scope of work and budget, community need, applicant readiness, and expected results. An additional 5 percent bonus is available for organizations that certify they do not require employees to sign individual arbitration clauses. Mandatory submission documents include certifications and assurances, a diverse business inclusion plan, and workers' rights certifications, with nonprofit applicants also required to provide an IRS Determination Letter. The RFA Coordinator, Paige Coleman, serves as the sole point of contact for this solicitation.