2026 Community-led Tourism Grant

King County is pleased to announce a new Request for Proposals (RFP) for Community-led Tourism funding, designed to support community-led projects that celebrate local culture and history, strengthen neighborhood economies, create jobs, and help communities experiencing displacement benefit from tourism.

This investment will support communities experiencing cultural and residential displacement to tell their own stories, elevate their heritage, and steward their cultural spaces while generating economic benefits that remain within the community.

About the Investment

This RFP is a partnership between the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), the King County Equitable Development Initiative (EDI), and the Executive Office Budget Team who will manage the contracts for agencies awarded funding.

King County EDI prioritizes projects that advance equity and self-determination of communities that are adversely impacted by structural racism and discrimination; communities experiencing disparities in economic and health outcomes; and communities facing a heightened risk of displacement.

Available Funding

A total of up to $900,000 in funding is available through this competitive RFP process. All expenses must be incurred by the awarded Proposer(s) between the Effective Date of the resulting contract and December 31, 2027.

Awards will range from a minimum of $30,000 to a maximum of $150,000. This will be a competitive RFP and awarded budget proposals may be partially funded.

Who Is Eligible to Apply

1. Non-Profit Corporation: federally tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 status or registered and active with the Washington Secretary of State as a non-profit organization;
2. Federally recognized Tribe or tribal organization;
3. Either of the above and who is acting as a fiscal sponsor of a community-based organization that does not have federal tax-exempt status nor is registered and active with the Washington Secretary of State;
4. For-profit Businesses: All applicants must be legally registered with the State of Washington and hold a valid business license at the time of application

Individuals and public entities are not eligible to apply. 

Eligible Activities 

Events, art, and activities that celebrate, preserve, and nurture cultural vibrancy and community resilience and raise awareness about the history and experience of a cultural community or neighborhood. This includes present day challenges and efforts to resist displacement.  

Funding can support public events, art, cultural activities, tourism promotion, and other projects that celebrate and preserve cultural traditions; share the history and experiences of a community or neighborhood; and create opportunities for residents and visitors to experience people, places, and traditions that make King County communities unique.  

All funded projects must be free and accessible to the public. All applications will undergo a review for public purpose requirements. A full list of eligible activities is available in the RFP.  

Application Timeline

• RFP Release Date: 9/8/26 
• Question & Answer Info Session: 9/18/26 at 12:00pm (PST)
  
  Register for the Information Session here.     
  
  Spanish and ASL interpretation will be provided. To request additional languages or other supports at no cost for this information session. please email Sean Power by September 16, 2026, at 5pm (PST) with your name, email, phone number, and your requested language.
  
  
• Applications Due: 10/14/26 at 12:00pm (PST) 
• Award Notifications: Expected by the week of December 14th, 2026 
• Contracts Expected to begin: January 1, 2027 

How to Apply

• Review the full  RFP here. 
• Complete the application via this link. For a list of the questions for reference purposes, please click here.
• Please use this Budget and Workplan Template to submit a budget and workplan as part of the application.

For more information, please contact:
Sean Power (him/his)
Grants Manager
King County Executive Office, Budget Team
spower@kingcounty.gov