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North Highline Vacant-to-Vibrant Program
The King County Department of Local Services is now accepting request for proposals (RFPs) for the 2026-27 North Highline Vacant-to-Vibrant program, providing funding to launch a pop-up business that supports local artists, makers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses while managing day-to-day operations and reporting outcomes to King County.
- Available funding: Up to $250,000.
- Funding period: November 1, 2026 - December 31, 2027.
- RFP deadline: Monday, October 12, 2026, at 2 p.m. PST.
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Overview
The purpose of the North Highline Vacant-to-Vibrant Program is to provide funding to launch a 12-month pop-up business that will create opportunities for local artists, makers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses to showcase and sell their products or services, build business skills, and increase visibility within the community.
Program goals and outcomes
- Utilize a vacant, public-facing commercial storefront for approximately 12 months.
- Support 12-18 local artists, makers, and entrepreneurs.
- Boost economic activity and community engagement in the area of the storefront.
- Gain experience in community connection, skills, and experience that support their business development.
- Gather measurable data about program participation, community engagement, storefront activity, and other results for the King County Department of Local Services (DLS).
- Document the program's experience, lessons and recommendations for DLS to enhance future pop-up store start-up efforts.
Who can apply?
Organizations who can legally apply must agree to a contract with King County and meet the following requirements:
- Nonprofit corporations with federal tax-exempt status and a registered Federal Identification Number (TIN or EIN)
- Federally recognized Tribes or Tribal organizations
- For-profit organizations, including limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, and social enterprises
- Community-based organizations or other eligible entities with demonstrated experience providing economic development, business support, commercial activation, or related services
- Have at least three (3) years of experience providing economic development, business support, commercial activation, arts entrepreneurship, community-based programming, or a substantially similar service.
- Have sufficient financial and organizational capacity to manage the proposed program and the anticipated contract.
- Possess a TIN, EIN, or other acceptable identification number to receive payments from King County.
- Be in good standing and eligible to receive federal, state, and county funds and not be currently debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from receiving public funds.
- Agree to comply with the King County Department of Local Services (DLS) standard terms and conditions and all applicable federal, state, and local laws and requirements.
- Demonstrate experience managing a public-facing program, commercial space, storefront, marketplace, or similar community-based operation.
- Demonstrate the ability to identify, lease, prepare, and operate an appropriate commercial storefront within North Highline.
Who is ineligible?
Organizations or businesses that rely on a fiscal sponsor.
Funding resources
- The program's funding is provided through the King County 2026-27 Budget, established by the county council.
- The total amount for the program is $300,000 (maximum of $250,000 is available for this specific request for proposal).
What can the funding be used for?
Applicants should provide a budget covering the anticipated contract period and clearly identify costs associated with storefront start-up, approximately 12 months of operations, and closeout.
Eligible expenses include:
- Commercial storefront lease costs
- Utilities and internet
- Temporary site preparation and improvements
- Temporary signage and wayfinding
- Program staffing and management
- Participant recruitment and support
- Marketing and outreach
- Community engagement and events
- Website development and maintenance
- Program supplies and operating expenses
- Performance measurement and reporting
- Other reasonable costs necessary to implement the program and approved by the King County Department of Local Services (DLS)
Selection process
- Applicants whose submission meet the basic requirements will carefully be reviewed to ensure they followed every rule in the request for proposal (RFP).
- A panel appointed through King County will review submissions that pass the first review.
- The review panel will rate the submissions using a scoring criteria (see below).
Scoring criteria
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Organizational capacity and readiness | 20 |
| Community impact and outcomes | 20 |
| Community/local entrepreneur engagement and cultural responsiveness | 20 |
| Past performance measurements | 20 |
| Equity, inclusion, and social justice commitment | 10 |
| Budget, cost-effectiveness, and financial stewardship | 10 |
Total possible points: 100
RFP process timeline
-
RFP release date
Monday, September 21, 2026 -
Q&A Period
Monday, September 28, 2026 - October 1, 2026
Send your questions to
DLSDirectorsOfficeContracts@kingcounty.gov
during this time. -
Application due date
Monday, October 12, 2026, at 2 p.m. PST -
Selected applicant is notified
Monday, October 19, 2026 -
Negotiation period
Monday, October 19, 2026 - Thursday, October 22, 2026 -
Contract signing period
Monday, October 26, 2026 -
Program start date
Sunday, November 1, 2026
Ready to apply?
Application resources
- North Highline Vacant-to-Vibrant Program request for proposal (RFP) - Outlines the North Highline Vacant to Vibrant Program, including funding information, eligibility, requirements, and the full application and selection process.