Planning and Predesign Grant Capital Equity Program Report — Washington Commerce (October 2025)
Summary
This October 2025 report to the Legislature is the Planning and Predesign Grant Capital Equity Program Report from the Washington State Department of Commerce, issued under Chapter 474, Laws of 2023 (SB 5200). It states that Commerce received $5 million to provide grants for the planning, pre-design and technical assistance of communities' capital projects. Commerce contracted with six community partners, who conducted 870 interviews, and with eight technical assistance providers, whose workshops supported 233 participants. Commerce awarded grants to 18 community-based organizations for planning and predesign projects such as food banks, health and wellness centers, and childcare centers.
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Planning and Predesign Grant Capital
Equity Program Report
Pursuant to Chapter 474, Laws of 2023 (SB 5200, Sec. 6067)
October 2025
Report to the Legislature
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
SERVICES Director Joe Nguyễn
v3.5
Acknowledgments
Washington State Department of Commerce
Marissa Landeis, Ph.D., Senior Project Manager,
Research and Development Services Unit
Sean Ardussi, Research Services Section Manager,
Research and Development Services Unit
Alice Zillah, Managing Director, Research and
Development Services Unit
1011 Plum St. SE
P.O. Box 42525
Olympia, WA 98504-2525
www.commerce.wa.gov
For people with disabilities, this report is available on
request in other formats. To submit a request, please
call 360-725-4000.
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT 2
Table of contents
Executive summary .............................................................................................................................................4
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................6
Progress for improving outreach and access to state capital programs ................................................................8
Recommendations ............................................................................................................................................14
Appendix A: The Capital Equity Grant Report .....................................................................................................17
Appendix B: Planning and predesign activities ...................................................................................................19
Appendix C: Capital programs expertise offered by consultants .........................................................................20
Appendix D: Services and technical assistance offered by consultants...............................................................21
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT
Executive summary
Overview
In 2021, the Department of Commerce received $5 million to provide grants for the planning, pre-design and
technical assistance of communities' capital projects. The Planning and Predesign Capital Equity Program (PPCEP)
is the pilot designed for this purpose and in support of Commerce's goals to reduce barriers that organizations
serving marginalized1 and/or rural2 populations face when contracting with the state.
Through three phases, PPCEP supported communities' capital project goals:
1) Enlisting community partners
2) Contracting for technical assistance
3) Awarding grants for organizations in the beginning stages of capital construction projects
Authorizing legislation
Chapter 474, Laws of 2023 (SB 5200 (2023), Sec. 6067) tasked Commerce to:
Provide a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature and the governor by October 1, 2024, on progress
and recommendations for improving outreach to underrepresented and remote communities and eliminating
barriers to participating in state capital funding programs.
Key highlights
Commerce contracted with six community partners representing diverse populations across the state.
Community partners conducted 870 interviews to understand the need for community facilities and
affordable housing.
Commerce contracted with eight technical assistance providers to provide workshops on grant
writing, effective capital development planning, strategic partnership, architectural programming,
assessing feasibility and risk, and funding sources. These workshops supported 233 participants and
their community organizations.
Commerce awarded grants to 18 community-based organizations to support planning and predesign projects that
intend to provide select services, such as food banks, health and wellness centers, cultural centers, safety
response centers, and childcare centers (Table 1).
Table 1. PPCEP awarded projects, by county
Organization Population served County
Families with infant, toddler, pre-school, or school-age children in need of
Pomeroy Childcare Garfield
care during the workday/week
Tubman Center for Health and Freedom Low-income, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ King
1 Marginalized is defined as "communities that have been historically underserved by capital grant policies and programs."
2 Rural is per OFM's definition, where "rural county" is described as "… a county with a population density less than 100 persons per square
mile."
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT
Organization Population served County
Mother Nation American Indian/Alaska Native Women King
Wing Luke Museum Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander (AANHPI) King
Fathers and Sons Together BIPOC youth and their families King
Suquamish Tribe Suquamish Tribe and the greater community Kitsap
Kittitas Environmental Education Network Yakima/Ellensburg community Kittitas
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Columbia
Underserved youth in Kittitas County Kittitas
Basin
Colville Tribes First Foods Colville tribal community Okanogan
Okanogan County Community Action
Okanogan County's most vulnerable residents Okanogan
Council
Black Agricultural Leadership Council Black farmers and community members Pierce
Lopez Children's Center Lopez Island families San Juan
Orcas Community Resource Center Orcas Island residents San Juan
Farmer Frog Serving the Snohomish community Snohomish
American Indian Community Center Low-income households in Spokane County and the surrounding area Spokane
University District Development
Area employees, residents and students Spokane
Association
Spokane Tribal Network Indigenous women and families Stevens
Prescott School District Residents of Prescott School District Walla Walla
Recommendations
Upon evaluation of PPCEP program development and implementation, Commerce developed six recommendations
to improve outreach and support greater access to capital programs.
1) Develop lasting networks with community partner organizations
2) Invest in community-based organization operations
3) Continue planning and pre-design grants for community-based organizations
4) Simplify the grant application process
5) Provide grant writing assistance
6) Continue to incorporate community representation in evaluations
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT
Introduction
Background
Chapter 332, Laws of 2021 (HB 1080, Sec. 1093) directed Commerce to develop a grant program to promote equity
in the distribution of capital grants, prioritizing organizations serving communities historically marginalized.
This initial appropriation provided $5 million for Commerce to take early action on lessons learned from a parallel
Commerce report that reviewed equity in Commerce capital grant programs. That report was required by Chapter
334, Laws of 2021 (the 2021 State Operating Budget) and outlined various barriers community organizations
experience in accessing state capital funds, from outreach and engagement, technical knowledge and
organizational capacity (see Appendix A).
Moreover, Chapter 474, Laws of 2023(the 2023 State Capital Budget) provided the requirements for this report
along with an additional $5 million to continue the Planning and Predesign Capital Equity Program (PPCEP).
However, Chapter 375, Laws of 2024 (the 2024 Supplemental State Capital Budget) transferred the second PPCEP
appropriation to a single project in Everett in support of the Latino Educational Training Institute. The effect of this
change was to return PPCEP to the initial $5 million, which reduced the planning, technical assistance, and
predesign grants for organizations that serve marginalized and/or rural communities.
The shift in expected fund availability prompted Commerce to seek internal partnership with the Housing Trust
Fund3, which contributed $2 million in additional resources to support community organizations in completing
planning or predesign projects that could lead to a future Commerce affordable housing application under RCW
43.185A.
Building PPCEP
PPCEP prioritized improving community outreach and reducing the systemic barriers to contracting with
Commerce that largely affect smaller organizations serving marginalized and/or rural communities. This work
reflected on lessons learned from a parallel report from Commerce: Equity Review of Capital Grant Programs.
The result was three complementary layers to building an equitable, collaborative and intentional program.
1) Enlisting community partners: PPCEP was developed through collaboration within communities and across
Commerce divisions and programs, including the Housing Division, the Community Capital Facilities Unit in the
Local Government Division, and the Community Engagement and Outreach Team. Community partners
represented marginalized and/or rural communities that historically have been underrepresented in Commerce
capital grant programs. They served as liaisons to underserved communities and provided equity consultation
for Commerce in developing PPCEP.
2) Contracting for technical assistance: Technical assistance consultants provided expertise on planning and
predesign activities to community-based organizations interested in applying for a Commerce capital grant.
When preparing for a capital project, organizations need to complete various pre-construction activities. This
type of work typically requires funds to hire contractors to serve as consultants. The PPCEP technical
assistance consultants offered their services on behalf of Commerce and were designed to be accessible to
organizations across the state.
3 Request for Proposals: Planning and predesign grants for Community-Based Organizations, June 2024 announcement
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT
3) Awarding grants for organizations in the beginning stages of capital construction projects. Planning,
predesign and preconstruction activities are expensive. In addition to providing access to technical assistance
consultants, PPCEP designated funds for planning and predesign grants to be awarded directly to community-
based organizations. The grants were intended to be low-barrier and to prioritize organizations representing
communities that have historically been underrepresented in state funding.
PPCEP project highlight
The Orcas Community Resource Center received funding to design its building, which
will provide housing and recovery services on Orcas Island.
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT
Progress for improving outreach and access to state capital
programs
Community partners
According to the previous report, Equity Review of Capital Grant Programs, one notable barrier blocking
underserved communities from accessing capital funding opportunities involves awareness, or timely notification.
This particularly affects organizations primarily serving Native Americans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
(BIPOC), those with limited English proficiency, and those focused on rural communities and disability rights.
Commerce posts funding opportunities on its website, social media platforms and on a statewide procurement site
called Washington Electronic Business Solution (WEBS). Commerce also emails information about funding
opportunities to broad distribution lists of people and organizations that have signed up for these notifications.
However, significant awareness gaps remain as funding for programs, old and new, shifts alongside staff turnover
at both Commerce and community organizations.
PPCEP prioritized contracting with community partners with strong connections to historically marginalized and/or
rural communities. Using their existing networks and outreach skills, the community partners streamlined the
connections between Commerce and communities.
In spring 2023, Commerce sought applications from a diverse pool of applicants to act as community partners,
including Black and African American, Hispanic and Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, federally recognized tribes,
tribal communities, urban Indian, Native American, and Alaska Native. The evaluation process prioritized applicants
who had the following experiences4, or worked closely with networks who experienced:
Surviving hate crimes, homelessness, racism, sex trafficking, sexual assault, and sexism.
Navigating immigration, refugee, housing, or community service processes, the foster care system.
Identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, person with a disability, youth or young adult, senior,
veteran, or a woman.
The community partners acted as equity consultants for Commerce on behalf of the communities identified. This
required considerable time for workgroup meetings, facilitating outreach, conducting interviews, developing RFPs
and evaluating proposals.
The Washington Environmental Health Disparities Map and the Office of Financial Management (OFM) population
density map assisted in identifying areas in Washington experiencing the highest amounts of social and
environmental hardships, and which would benefit from services provided through capital projects.
Many of the areas with the highest population density overlapped with those the health disparities map identified
as most disadvantaged. The populations in these overlapping areas became the focus for community partners to
conduct outreach. Each of the six community partners were assigned areas identified from the two maps where
they had established networks.
In October 2023, the community partners began conducting outreach, further establishing networks with these
communities. This outreach resulted in acknowledging the types of services beneficial to those areas, which
4 Lived experience was defined in the community partners RFP as including but not limited to: Surviving from incarceration, hate crimes,
homelessness, racism, sex trafficking, sexual assault, and sexism; Navigating through, immigration, refugee, housing or community service
processes, and the foster care system; or Identifying as, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered person, a person with a disability, a youth or
young adult, a senior, a veteran, or a woman.
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT
informed the implementation of PPCEP. More than a year of outreach included community events, 870 interviews,5
and two surveys sent to hundreds of organizations.
Events and interviews hosted by community partners served as listening sessions to identify the needs of the
represented communities and their residents.
Asia Pacific Cultural Center supported the Cambodian, Vietnamese, Samoan/Pacific Islander, Filipino, Korean,
and Thai communities in Pierce, Thurston and south King County. Community needs included affordable
housing, cultural centers and libraries.
Centro Cultural Mexicano supported the Latino communities in King, Pierce, Snohomish, Whatcom and Yakima
counties, and the Tri-Cities area. Community needs included affordable housing, recreational facilities, and
cultural or community centers.
Prolific Success provided support to the African American community statewide. Community needs included
community centers and tiny homes.
Greater Seattle Business Association supported the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities in King, Pierce, Spokane,
and Walla Walla counties. Community needs included affordable housing and LGBTQIA community centers.
Vexing Media supported Native American and Latino communities in Spokane County. Community needs
included affordable housing and community centers.
G3 and Associates supported African American and Asian Pacific Islander communities in King, Pierce and
Snohomish counties. Community needs included community centers and financial assistance offices.
These community partners also helped with implementing technical assistance consultation services. Two surveys
were distributed among the community partners' established networks. The first survey inquired about technical
assistance needs and capital projects of interest. The second survey was used to match organizations to one of
the eight technical assistance consultants.
Hundreds of organizations received the surveys, with 128 organizations responding to the community needs survey
and 113 responding to match with a technical assistance consultant. Both surveys showed the highest technical
assistance needs were budgeting, fundraising and project analysis. The second survey was used to match all
eligible organizations to one of the eight technical assistance consultants contracted through PPCEP, where they
could access workshops and one-on-one technical assistance. After the surveys, the community partners shifted to
providing input on the creation of the PPCEP program.
"When I think about really successful community resource spaces, I think about the navigators. People
who believe you, people you can trust, who understand your long histories with medical trauma."
– Interviewee
Next, community partners moved to offering one-on-one technical assistance and workshops to organizations
serving marginalized communities in their networks. This included help with grant writing and accessing funding
opportunities.
5 Community members participating were compensated for their time at $45 per hour, with a maximum of $200 per day per person.
Childcare and adult care were also available for those participating, with a maximum of $50 per child/adult per day. Translation was offered
for the lived experience interviews.
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT
Technical assistance consultants
According to the Equity Review of Capital Grant Programs, "organizations that have previously been successful or
that have the ability to hire consultants and grant writers" are more likely to be successful when applying for
Commerce funding. Based on this finding, along with feedback from the community partners, PPCEP identified a
lack of access to technical assistance as another barrier preventing organizations representing marginalized
and/or rural communities from accessing state capital funds.
In December 2023, Commerce released a request for proposals for consultants interested in providing
preconstruction planning and predesign technical assistance to community-based organizations and federally
recognized tribes. The assistance would focus on activities for projects that might be eligible for funding from
specific Commerce housing or community facilities programs, such as the Building Communities Fund or Housing
Trust Fund.
Commerce staff and community partners evaluated 88 proposals. In all, eight technical assistance consultants
were selected, each receiving $100,000 to support planning and predesign. The contracts were designed so the
eight technical assistance consultants collectively covered all the eligible planning and predesign activities
(Appendix B) necessary to build capital projects.
Appendix C contains a list of technical assistance consultants, as organized by the Commerce programs for which
they provided support and expertise. Appendix D contains a list of the expertise offered by the technical assistance
consultants.
Commerce's previous capital equity report found a significant barrier to accessing Commerce funding is the
structure of grant applications, which are often long and complex. Larger organizations have the funds to hire grant
writing experts, which gives them an advantage. In response, five of the eight technical assistance providers
conducted grant writing workshops specific to the RFP.
"GS Consulting has been diligently preparing us to build the capacity we need to pursue our vision of a
recovery residence. We could not have gotten this far without them."
- Technical assistance survey respondent
The technical assistance consultants offered multiple grant writing sessions, each focused on a different type of
capital project. There were grant writing sessions for each of the community capital facilities and housing
programs, totaling 12 workshops. The sessions were recorded and posted online.
These workshops were designed to aid organizations in submitting the CBO RFP applications and provide them
with the necessary tools and skills to submit grant proposals. In total, 190 participants attended.
Afterward, the technical assistance consultants shifted focus to offering planning and predesign workshops. These
workshops were designed to be low-barrier and prioritized organizations serving marginalized and/or rural
communities. Specifically, organizations would not need to pay or apply for technical assistance, and a survey
distributed by the community partners was used as a sign-up tool.
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT
The eight technical assistance consultants conducting workshops began creating the content in fall 2024. They
used survey results, as well as their own outreach to matched organizations, to develop the content. In total, 233
participants attended these workshops, many of which were recorded.
One technical assistance consultant did not offer workshops and instead focused on one-on-one technical
assistance to tribes. They are assisting three tribes with planning and predesign work for developing capital
projects.
In January 2025, the technical assistance consultants distributed a survey to organizations that received PPCEP
technical assistance to assess how effective they found Commerce's implementation of the services.
Organizations expressed having survey fatigue, so the response rate was low. As of March 27, 2025, only 13
organizations completed the survey. According to these results, 92% felt they received the technical assistance
they needed, and 92% felt this type of technical assistance successfully supported organizations serving
marginalized and underserved communities. Furthermore, 82% of the organizations reported being very satisfied or
satisfied with the technical assistance they received, and 18% reported feeling neutral.
The survey also asked these organizations to describe how Commerce can improve its support of organizations
serving marginalized communities. The responses indicated that more funding should be made available to allow
organizations to access these workshops or pay for their own consultants. Additionally, reducing barriers to all
funding opportunities at Commerce would be beneficial. These results are based on a small number of
organizations that received technical assistance from the consultants contracted. Commerce continues to
encourage more organizations to provide feedback.
The types of assistance offered depended on the organizations' needs and interest in specific capital projects and
were free to hundreds of organizations across Washington. As of spring 2025, the technical assistance consultants
were still offering workshops and one-on-one assistance, with plans to continue through June 2025.
Community-based organizations development
Organizations serving marginalized communities face barriers in accessing funds designated for planning and
predesign technical assistance. Many Commerce programs require organizations to have already conducted a
significant amount of preconstruction work to be competitive for capital grants. This requires access to other
sources of funds and, for some, the capacity to hire technical assistance providers to assist with this work.
This barrier prompted intentional development of the community partners model and prioritization of community
organizations serving marginalized communities. To complement PPCEP after its budget authority was reduced,
the Commerce Housing Division allocated $2 million for planning and predesign services for organizations
interested in developing a housing capital project. To simplify the process, Commerce released one joint funding
opportunity. The funds allocated for the Housing program are separate from the PPCEP funds, so this report solely
focuses on the organizations funded through PPCEP.
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT
Awarded housing projects
Lake Chelan Valley Habitat for Humanity: serving low-income residents in Chelan County
Hoh Indian Tribe: serving Hoh tribal citizens in Jefferson County
Jefferson Land Trust: Preserving open space, working lands, and habitat in Jefferson County
ECS: serving Low-income East African immigrants in King County
Seattle Indian Services Commission: serving American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiians in King County
Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe: serving Port Gamble S'Klallam tribal citizens in Kitsap County
Community Lifeline: serving adults experiencing homelessness without children in Mason County
Puyallup Tribe: serving Native American elders, young adults, and families in Pierce County
Progress House Association: serving BIPOC with incarceration or homelessness experience in Pierce County
Community Action of Skagit County: serving Community members needing affordable housing Skagit County
Spokane Indian Housing Authority: serving the Spokane Tribe of Indians in Stevens County
Lake Whatcom Residential and Treatment Center: serving low-income people and people experiencing
homelessness in Whatcom County
Fathers and Sons Together (FAST) hired a project manager and a grant writer to develop their FAST
Resource Outreach Center that will support Black fathers and youth in south King County.
In June 2024, Commerce released an RFP seeking applications from community-based organizations interested in
developing a Housing or Community Capital Facility capital project. Five of the technical assistance providers
offered grant writing sessions to make this funding more equitable and accessible. These sessions were recorded
and uploaded to the PPCEP webpage for organizations to view regardless of attendance. The technical assistance
providers were also able to provide one-on-one grant writing assistance to eligible organizations.
To ensure an equitable evaluation process, the eligibility requirements prioritized organizations that serve
marginalized communities and might be new to contracting with Commerce. Organizations that had contracted
with the state on a capital grant between 2022 and 2024 were not eligible to apply. Another five prioritization points
were awarded to organizations that hadn't contracted with Commerce for a capital project between 2017 and 2024.
Additionally, the applicant organization must fit one of three criteria:
Is operating in a rural county
Is a federally recognized tribe
Is serving marginalized or underserved communities
Commerce wanted to ensure the organizations awarded funding were serving marginalized populations in a way
that promoted equity and reinvested in communities. The community partners assisted Commerce in developing
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT
the eligibility requirements. Applicants were required to describe how the project would benefit marginalized
communities and detail the ways the organization plans to adapt to changing needs. They were also asked to
describe how their organization incorporates the experiences of their community into the development and
implementation of services, including current and former participants, staff and volunteers.
Commerce awarded 18 organizations grants of up to $200,000 for the planning and predesign activities necessary
to complete before applying for a Commerce capital grant. With these funds, community-based organizations have
been able to conduct the planning and predesign activities necessary to be eligible for capital projects (see Table
1).
Washington state has 39 counties, 30 of which are rural, and the Capital Grant Equity Report found that rural
communities are less likely to receive information and outreach regarding funding opportunities. Therefore, PPCEP
prioritized organizations serving marginalized populations in rural areas. Half of the 18 organizations awarded
PPCEP funds proposed projects to provide services to marginalized populations in six rural counties.
The Suquamish Tribe is conducting a feasibility study, funding source analysis, and a comprehensive
project budget for its Joint Public Safety and Critical Infrastructure Hub.
Four of Washington's 29 federally recognized tribes applied for a planning and predesign grant, and two were
awarded funding.
Commerce distributed a survey to the 18 organizations conducting planning and predesign activities on projects
funded by PPCEP. Of the respondents, 62% are very satisfied with their experience with Commerce, and 38% are
satisfied. These organizations were also asked to provide insight on how Commerce can improve funding
opportunities. Many of them reported the need for more funding, like PPCEP, simplifying the application process,
and providing more assistance on grant applications.
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT
Recommendations
Improving outreach to marginalized and/or rural communities
Through community partners, PPCEP informed organizations serving marginalized and/or rural communities about
funding and technical assistance opportunities. These organizations were also prioritized for those services. In
reviewing the accomplishments of PPCEP, the program could be improved for future iterations.
Recommendation #1: Develop lasting networks with community partner
organizations
Commerce should consider how to enhance its connection to community-based organizations and the diverse
populations they represent. Expanding on PPCEP's community partners model could develop lasting networks
between Commerce and organizations serving marginalized communities.
In some cases, Commerce may lack current contact information, or the organization might not have the capacity to
respond to a funding opportunity, such as response fatigue from pursuing so many funding opportunities. By doing
more outreach with or through community partners, Commerce can develop a stronger network with marginalized
communities that can enhance their access to state capital programs.
Recommendations for eliminating barriers to participating in state capital
funding programs
PPCEP has prioritized organizations investing in marginalized communities through outreach, funding and
technical assistance opportunities. Throughout the pilot program, those funded through PPCEP were asked to give
input on how Commerce can further reduce the barriers organizations face when accessing funding opportunities.
Recommendation #2: Expand investments in community-based organizations
Commerce should consider opportunities to expand the allowable investments in community-based organizations.
Through PPCEP, community members presented projects that Commerce capital programs cannot widely support
as standalone investments. This includes new parking, community gardens, and accessible restrooms. For
example, the Commerce Early Learning Facilities program has resources for minor renovations of existing
childcare facilities, such as accessible restrooms, but Commerce does not have many other types of funding for
community service facilities, such as a food bank. These funding constraints limit organizational flexibility and
responsiveness to sudden needs. They also enhance competition for the scarce resources that can support such
projects.
By expanding the allowable investments in small capital projects that have minimal funding alternatives available,
the state can ensure these projects would not become barriers to ongoing facility operations. For example, a
community capital campaign is a primary means for an organization operating a community space, such as
community center or a nonprofit that rents out commercial kitchen space needs to upgrade or replace failed
equipment, such as an HVAC or a new sprinkler installation.
Recommendation #3: Continue planning and pre-design grants for community-
based organizations
Commerce should consider opportunities to continue planning and pre-design grants for community-based
organizations. The PPCEP is effectively a one-time authority and will not have additional funds available beyond the
currently supported projects. By continuing to offer funding for the preliminary stages of a construction project, the
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT
state can enhance community development and grow the service delivery pipeline for marginalized communities
statewide. This includes offering smaller grants amounts, such as $100,000 or less.
Recommendation #4: Simplify the grant application process
Commerce should consider opportunities to simplify grant application process. For example, by creating an
application-based web portal where organizations upload necessary files and answer a limited number of
questions, technology could diminish reliance on institutional memory and automate part of the application
process. However, this would not provide immediate returns to a new Commerce applicant and would also require
start-up and maintenance funding.
In addition, PPCEP organizations found Commerce's grant writing workshops educational, but they reported not
feeling confident submitting a proposal, because they viewed it as a risk with no guarantee of funding. As
illustration, 17 of the proposals submitted for PPCEP pre-development grants were disqualified, because required
documentation was not provided. This means these proposals did not meet thresholds and could not be evaluated,
leaving organizations with limited opportunity for feedback.
Recommendation #5: Provide grant writing assistance
Commerce programs that open funding cycles are required to host funding workshops for eligible organizations,
including workshops dedicated for tribes, but that does not provide adequate time to address how to complete a
Commerce application. Simplifying the application process may also not be feasible for all funding opportunities.
Therefore, Commerce should consider how to provide grant writing assistance to support smaller organizations in
the early stages of the proposal development process.
The PPCEP technical assistance consultants who offered grant writing assistance reported that organizations still
found the application process difficult and time consuming.
" State applications can be overwhelming to individuals and organizations that lack experience, so
creating an environment for newer organizations that allows for capacity building and a chance for
them to learn the necessary steps, documents, and threshold requirements to apply for funding
may prove beneficial. "
- Technical assistance consultant
While hiring third parties in support of community funding applications may be feasible, that option comes with
cost and equity concerns. Opportunities to provide grant writing assistance within Commerce's existing resources
include expanding its funding workshop requirements or convening many Commerce programs before they open
funding cycles to allow communities to ask technical or administrative questions about the program and their
applications.
Recommendation #6: Continue to incorporate community representation in
evaluations
Commerce should continue to request trusted representatives in marginalized communities to evaluate proposals
for funding opportunities.
Commerce and community partners assisted in the PPCEP evaluation process, and this proved helpful as the
community partners provided important context to help understand the community's true needs. Having
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT
community representation in Commerce funding evaluation processes would offer valuable input on the project
prioritization process and focus investment decisions on the projects that would provide the most benefit to
marginalized communities.
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT
Appendix A: The Capital Equity Grant Report
Background
To delve into these types of barriers, the Legislature directed the Department of Commerce, via Chapter 334, Laws
of 2021 (ESSB 5092, Sec. 129 (89)) to “conduct a comprehensive equity review of state capital grant programs
administered by the department” for three purposes:
Reduce barriers to historically underserved populations’ participation in capital grant programs
Redress inequities in existing capital grant policies and programs
Improve the equitable delivery of resources and benefits in these programs
The report, published Jan. 28, 2022, identified these specific barriers and developed recommendations.
Identified barriers
In the initial report, community partners were involved and helped Commerce identify several recurring barriers to
accessing capital funding and opportunities with the goal of creating equitable funding processes. One of the
frequently experienced barriers was the lack of readily accessible technical information necessary to submit a
successful application, which was reported as the biggest impediment to securing grant funding. The work
involved listening sessions and Communities of Concern Commission conversations and outreach to inform the
following list of barriers.
Outreach and engagement barriers
Though funding opportunities are available and open to many organizations (for example, by subscribing to agency
and partner mailing lists), a recurring theme is that the same organizations that have been funded in the past are
the ones most likely to receive funds in the future. This was attributed to:
Lack of sufficient awareness or timely notification of funding opportunities, which limits the ability of new
entrants to submit applications successfully. In particular, organizations primarily serving Black, indigenous,
and people of color (BIPOC), those with limited English proficiency, and those focused on rural communities
and disability rights were less likely to receive information and outreach.
Scoring criteria perceived to reward larger organizations that received previous funding, equating size and
experience with capacity.
Turnover at Commerce leads to inconsistency in key contacts for organizations and creates confusion about
the point of contact for questions and pre-contract requirements.
Technical barriers
Technical barriers involved capital funding and processes, which are connected to systemic barriers around rules
and regulations.
Lack of capital funding knowledge. For example, the capital budget passes in April, and the award letters for
legislatively directed projects are not sent to recipients until June, which means some are surprised when
they cannot immediately access funding.
Application and other processes are overly complex and lack plain language, examples, and transparency.
Technical assistance or toolkits were not readily available.
Organizations that have previously been successful or that can hire consultants and grant writers are more
likely to be successful.
Applications and other program materials are not widely available in alternative languages and formats.
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT
Organizational and capacity barriers
Nonprofits working with government agencies experience challenges relating to government requirements and
regulations.
Reimbursement contracts and match requirements are challenging for small organizations and can require
bridge loans or other up-front financing to launch the projects until reimbursement is available.
Some organizations, particularly those relating to BIPOC communities, do not have access to traditional bank
financing.
Operating funds are also needed, which are not available through capital programs.
Some organizations lack the capacity, subject matter expertise, and technical knowledge to move projects
from pre-planning through design, fundraising, application and implementation.
Capital projects must demonstrate that the grantee has site control through ownership or lease. Some
organizations have difficulty obtaining a long-term lease.
Contractors working with small organizations can experience payment delays, which can temporarily affect
their business.
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT
Appendix B: Planning and predesign activities
Consultation on-site planning, including:
Architectural planning and siting
Geotechnical reviews
Environmental site assessment assistance
Planning construction and materials management
Project predesign (drawings and diagrams)
Consultation on budgeting for capital projects, including:
Capital project feasibility analysis
Lifecycle cost analysis
Project budget analysis
Program analysis
Consultation on capital fundraising and financing
Securing matching resources for project development
Maximizing local government contributions to project development in the form of land donations,
infrastructure improvements, waivers of development fees, local- and state-managed funds, zoning
variances, or creative planning
Longevity planning for ongoing funding for technical assistance after the PPCEP grant expires
Sharia-compliant financing for capital projects
Plan and policy coordination, including consultation on compliance with planning requirements in at least one of
these areas:
Assistance with compliance with an organization’s strategic plan, business plan, or master plan
Coordination with local planning, economic development, environmental, social services, and recreational
activities
Project maintenance and management
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT
Appendix C: Capital programs expertise offered by consultants
Advocates for Human Potential
Apple Health and Home Initiative
Atromitos Housing Trust Fund
GS Consulting GS Consulting
SidexSide architects Cultural Dot Space
MIG SidexSide architects
Advocates for Human Potential Takeall
Advocates for Human Potential
Building for the Arts
SidexSide architects Housing Preservation Program
Cultural Dot Space GS Consulting
MIG SidexSide architects
Takeall
Early Learning Facilities
Advocates for Human Potential
SidexSide architects
Cultural Dot Space National Housing Preservation Program
MIG GS Consulting
Thrive Community Building SidexSide architects
Takeall Advocates for Human Potential
HOME Rental Development Program Youth Recreational Facilities
GS Consulting GS Consulting
SidexSide architects SidexSide architects
Advocates for Human Potential MIG
Takeall
Building Communities Fund
GS Consulting
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT
Appendix D: Services and technical assistance offered by
consultants
Advocates for Human Potential
Architectural planning and siting
GS Consulting Project budget analysis
Cultural Dot Space Atromitos
SidexSide architects GS Consulting
MIG SidexSide architects
Thrive Community Building MIG
Advocates for Human Potential Thrive Community Building
Advocates for Human Potential
Geotechnical reviews
SidexSide architects Program analysis
MIG SidexSide architects
Advocates for Human Potential Advocates for Human Potential
Atromitos
Environmental site assessment assistance
GS Consulting
SidexSide architects
Cultural Dot Space
MIG
SidexSide architects
Advocates for Human Potential
Maximizing local government contributions
Planning, construction and materials management
Atromitos
GS Consulting
GS Consulting
Cultural Dot Space
Cultural Dot Space
SidexSide architects
SidexSide architects
MIG
Thrive Community Building
Advocates for Human Potential
Advocates for Human Potential
Project predesign (drawings and diagrams)
Longevity planning
GS Consulting
GS Consulting
Cultural Dot Space
SidexSide architects
SidexSide architects
Thrive Community Building
MIG
Advocates for Human Potential
Thrive Community Building
Advocates for Human Potential Sharia-compliant financing
Atromitos
Capital project feasibility analysis
GS Consulting
Atromitos
GS Consulting Assistance with compliance with an organization’s
Cultural Dot Space strategic plan, business plan, or master plan.
SidexSide architects Atromitos
MIG MIG
Thrive Community Building Thrive Community Building
Advocates for Human Potential Advocates for Human Potential
Lifecycle cost analysis
GS Consulting
SidexSide architects
Thrive Community Building
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT
Coordination with local planning, economic
development, environmental, social services, and
recreational activities
Atromitos
SidexSide architects
MIG
Advocates for Human Potential
Project maintenance and management
Atromitos
SidexSide architects
Thrive Community Building
Advocates for Human Potential
Grant writing assistance
Atromitos
GS Consulting
Cultural Dot Space
Thrive Community Building
Advocates for Human Potential
PLANNING AND PREDESIGN CAPITAL GRANT EQUITY PROGRAM REPORT
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