Application Assistance

The Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) serves an array of valued residents in King County: veterans, servicemembers, and their respective families, seniors and their caregivers, and all persons or communities whose current or historical exposure to trauma, violence, poverty, isolation, bias, racism, stigma, discrimination, disability, or chronic illness makes them vulnerable to reduced health, financial, housing, or social stability. To achieve the goal of serving the full diversity of King County and the organizations that support them, the VSHSL aims to reduce barriers that small, community-based organizations may face in applying for levy funding. We contract with consultants to offer application assistance (also known as technical assistance) to qualifying community-based organizations needing support in applying for VSHSL funds.

To qualify for application assistance organizations must:

• have fewer than 20-full time equivalent staff.
• have an operating budget less than $4 million in the fiscal year prior to applying.

To get help with your application:

• Contact one of the application assistance providers listed below.
• Include the RFP name you’re seeking assistance for in the subject line of your email. 
• Contact the application assistance provider at least 14 business days prior to the RFP’s closing date.

Application assistance can help:

• Frame your approach and proposal: Application Assistance providers are oriented to the goals and priorities of the VSHSL funding strategies.  Providers can work with you from the very beginning of the application process to advise you on if and how your ideas fit with the scope of what the Request for Proposals (RFP) will fund. They can assist you in understanding the intent and focus of the RFP as you decide on and create your program model and vision to help you submit the strongest possible application.
• Assistance with budgeting: Creating a budget for a new project can be difficult. Application Assistance providers can help you design a budget, estimate the costs with your project design and set a plan for capacity building if applicable.
• Reviewing proposal drafts: Application Assistance providers can provide critical feedback on your application including: if your content is detailed enough and fully answers the application questions, if you are adequately describing your strengths and assets in way that is clear to outside readers, to make sure you are not missing an important aspect of the funding goals, and to provide editing support to ensure your information fits within the character limits.
• Understanding Zoomgrants: Many VSHSL RFP applications are managed through the online platform Zoomgrants. Application Assistance providers are familiar with Zoomgrants, they can guide you through the Zoomgrants platform and help you navigate common challenges.