Participatory budgeting community questions

There is a Zoom meeting 9/21 that will be recorded and posted on the Participatory Budgeting Webpage. The in-person meeting Wednesday 9/23 will cover the same information and will include 1:1 TA opportunities. The in-person meeting will not be recorded. 

UPDATE: You can find the Zoom meeting recording below:

Yes, you may submit more than one application.

I apologize but we are unable to directly support application development, however we have contracted with several Technical Assistance (TA) Consultants that can help. Please visit the Participatory Budgeting RFP website for the two TA sessions scheduled Monday 9/21 and Wednesday 9/23.  

Technical Assistance Consultant List

I apologize but we are unable to directly support application development, however we have contracted with several Technical Assistance (TA) Consultants that can help. Please visit the Participatory Budgeting RFP website for the two TA sessions scheduled Monday 9/21 and Wednesday 9/23. 

Update: You can find the budget worksheet below.

2026 Participatory Budgeting - Budget Worksheet Guidance

Yes. The application allows for a priority area and a 2nd priority area.

Yes. An applicant can submit an application for both Elevate Skyway and Uplift White Center.

Yes - their categories are different.

No application examples will be provided, however there will be Scope of Work, Budget, and other examples provided.

Applicants are asked to apply online:

Elevate Skyway - Community Fund 2026 - Request for Proposal (Application) - Airtable

Uplift White Center Community Fund 2026 – Request for Proposal (Application) – Airtable

Please note the online application will not save progress on your answers so you should have all your answers and materials ready before you start the online process.

To request another format for submitting a grant application, please email UKCPB@kingcounty.gov.

Yes.

There is no appeals process.

All scores and ratings/notes will be recorded. An applicant can request a conversation about why their application was denied. Information about other applications will not be provided.

The Rating Committee will be selected by the Community Advisory Board (CAB). Community members will be trained/onboarded by King County staff, including how to rate/score (rubric), and policies on bias.

A rubric is how the Rating Committee members will score applications. Focus on the points and work with a Technical Assistance (TA) provider.

See table on last page in the Application. Will also be online. NOTE: The rubric has been updated since the September 16 meeting.

Technical assistance (TA) providers will help you use worksheets and tools, including for budget. It is ok to start with broadline items and budget, but the final application will need to include what costs are being paid for. Worksheets will be provided at the September 23 TA session and online.

Hopefully the same – if any changes should only be for improvements.

Advance payments may be allowed on a case-by-case basis. If approved, you must submit invoices and provide receipts and supporting documents showing how the money was spent before receiving another advance payment.

The County’s final payment must be a reimbursement of at least 10% of your total contract amount. Please keep in mind that advance payments take longer to process than the standard 30-day payment period for reimbursements.

Yes, deliverables-based contracting is an option if the cost per deliverable is approved by the county.

No.

Net 30 when all required information is accurate and complete.

Equipment purchases may be allowed on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the County. Since the program ends December 31, 2027, renting equipment may be preferred over purchasing it.

Yes, please provide the hourly breakdown for staff, even if staff is salaried or contracted.

All projects and contracts must end by the end of 2027.

If you have a fiscal sponsor, they will be the County contractor and will bill the County on your behalf. They then would pay you for the program work. Consider how long a fiscal sponsor might take. Ensure you have a positive relationship with them. It is important to understand the invoicing process. If you need to hire someone to help you, be sure to add that to your budget.

We are working to ensure contracts will start January 1, 2027.

Yes.

Please review the Community Priority Area Funding Chart for the request for proposal (RFP) you are submitting an application for. This is available online.

Yes.

Yes.

Look at project details, what you want to do – and consider whether your organization is fiscally able to fund up front. It takes net 30 to be reimbursed. But if you are missing receipts, it puts you back in queue and then could take longer. Consider Fiscal Sponsor if needed. You choose your own; contract will be held with fiscal sponsor not the organization. Advance payment may be available on a case-by-case basis.

This will be dependent on your operations. Monthly is recommended but this may be case by case.

If you don’t have your own dedicated space for your project, you may reach out to other community organizations to partner.

The County will only contract with one entity. If you have a partnership agreement it should establish who is primary and will manage the contract, and who is secondary.

No. The County cannot recommend fiscal sponsors. Please note that if you choose a fiscal sponsor, any resulting contract will be with that fiscal sponsor – not with your organization. 

Yes, applicants with unfunded proposals may request a 30-minute meeting to receive feedback on areas that could have been improved.

No, only a list of awarded projects will be shared with the public. 

No.

No. Choose the main category and identify the total amount for the project. A technical assistance provider can help.

Consider choosing the 2 main priority areas for a single project. If you are proposing more than one project that is completely different, consider submitting more than 1 proposal.

A capital project is generally a project that builds, improves, or makes a lasting change to a building, property, park or other physical space whereas a beautification project makes a space more attractive, welcoming or visually appealing.

The ages for youth can vary, please note this age range if your program will be working with youth.

TA providers list will be available online after the September 23 technical assistance session. You will be able to choose your TA provider. If you need to change, please email j.bang@kingcounty.gov.

Please send detailed information to  UKCPB@kingcounty.gov.

No - all details from these slides are available online.

All proposals will be accepted. Up to 17 proposals will be funded for the Skyway area.

No - you may apply to this RFP if you are not within White Center, but your program must benefit White Center residents.