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Oct
22

Grant Application and Capacity Building program

Learn how community-based organizations can get free support to apply for and manage DCHS grants and for overall organization sustainability.

About Grant Application and Capacity Building (GACB)

King County committed funding to help organizations become more competitive for DCHS funding and help build the infrastructure needed to support overall organization sustainability. Together, with our partners, we provide free GACB consulting services to organizations and nonprofits applying for, or that already receive, King County DCHS funding through grant awards or contracts. 

This program’s priority is to work with organizations that:

  • Have less than 20 full-time employees
  • Have an annual budget of less than $4 million
  • Predominately support Black, Indigenous, & People of Color (BIPOC)

We will open another Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in early 2023 to continue expanding equitable services and accessibility for King County’s CBO community and CBO-serving professionals.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for GACB consulting services if your organization:

  • Has a current grant award or contract through the King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) or
  • Is applying for an open DCHS funding opportunity (see the list of available opportunities or check with the listed grant contact if you are not sure)

Services

Grant application

These consulting services are for eligible organizations applying for open DCHS funding opportunities. Consultants can support your organization’s overall writing process overall but cannot write the application.

  • Application editing and review
  • Budgeting
  • Clarifying government processes
  • Determining eligibility and fit with RFP goals
  • Finding and using data to help tell your story
  • Technology support
  • Translation/language help (this is a limited offering but may be expanded in the future)

Capacity building

These consulting services are for eligible organizations currently receiving DCHS awards. These categories include many different services. On the request forms, please select the one closest to your project, then you can add more details for clarity. Organizations can submit help for more than one project.

  • Organizational sustainability
  • Data and evaluation
  • Finance
  • Board development
  • Marketing/communication/branding
  • Social justice and racial equity
  • Information technology (IT)
  • Human resources (HR)

Process

  • Apply

    Review the qualifications for acceptance for GACB consulting. If your organization fits the criteria, complete the GACB request form or contact Reginald B. Cole at rcole@kingcounty.gov to be connected with translation help or technical assistance.

    Apply for GACB services here.

  • Internal review

    A member of King County’s team will review your application within 2 business days. Once reviewed for eligibility, we will contact you. If eligible, we will set up an introductory meeting with one of our contracted providers that best suits the needs described in your application.

    For this step, you will need the name of the funding opportunity you are applying for or the grant/contract you were awarded.

    Organizations can submit more than one request. Fill out a separate form for each project you would like help with and explain which is the highest priority.

  • Discovery session

    During this meeting you will meet your potential consultant(s). The purpose of this session is for you to explain your needs to the consultant in greater detail, and for the consultant to determine the best plan of action to reach your goals. You may meet with up to two consultants. Afterwards, you will fill out a form letting us know who is the best fit for your organization.

  • Agreement/scope of work

    King County will review the consultant’s recommendations and contact you with next steps. If everyone agrees on the scope of work and time, you will enter into a formal working relationship with the consultant for the agreed upon time period. King County will pay for Grant Application Consulting or Capacity Building Consulting services within our specific areas under this agreement. Anything beyond that would be paid for by your organization.

  • Service

    During your allotted time with the consultant, they will document their activities with you to provide DCHS an understanding of their work. Your needs and success are our priorities and you will be able to provide feedback if your needs are not being met.

  • Evaluation

    At the end of your project, you will be given a survey form to provide feedback about the consultants. This is important information to help us understand whether this program is working or if we need to make improvements.

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