Search

South King County Fund Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Update on the Port's COVID-19 response Learn more.

The Port of Seattle established the South King County Fund (SKCF) to develop equity-based partnerships and provide resources and support in historically underserved near-airport communities. The fund will award $10 million between 2019 and 2023 to address noise mitigation, environmental health and sustainability in these ethnically and culturally diverse communities.

In response to the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our community, the Port of Seattle Commission has added economic development as an additional focus for the South King County Fund. With ties to all of Washington’s key economic sectors and connections to more than 500 employers operating at our facilities, the Port stands uniquely positioned to help lead the regional recovery.

The South King County Fund plays an important role in the Port’s regional recovery strategy. This year, we will award grants to organizations serving communities most deeply impacted by the current economic crisis for projects connected to Port-related industries, including aviation, maritime, construction trades, and green career industries.

How do I apply?

1. Download documents and review the proposal guidelines

Register at VendorConnect to download the complete South King County Fund Request for Proposal (RFP) package
For detailed instructions about registering, read the VendorConnect External User Guide
Reiew Guidelines in the South King County Fund Economic Recovery RFP document under the "documents" tab on the South King County Fund Solicitation Overview page in VendorConnect.
You must register as a Plan Holder at VendorConnect to ask questions and receive ongoing updates by going to the South King County Fund solicitation Overview page. To ask a question, select the "Ask Question" button.

What are Port-related industries?

Port-related industries are aviation, maritime, construction, tourism, and green career industries.

If I have questions, who should I contact?

What should I do if I have questions or need more information?

To:

Preview South King County Fund Economic Recovery guidelines – Guidelines are available in VendorConnect.

Once you are registered in VendorConnect, you may view the guidelines on the South King County Fund solicitation page under the "Documents" tab.

Download the Request For Proposal (RFP) package – Go to VendorConnect. The full package includes the guidelines and other attachments, and is only available through VendorConnect. The site works best using either Chrome, Firefox, or Safari web browsers.

Go to VendorConnect
Create your login, password and basic profile (a VendorConnect External User Guide is available here)
Select the "Current and Past Solicitations" button.
Scroll down the Dashboard page to find the South King County Fund solicitation, or do a search for "South King County Fund" in the "Search Solicitations" box in the upper left.
Select the South King County Fund solicitation link. This will take you to the solicitation Overview page where you will find several tabs (below the main body of text) that provide all the information you need about the solicitation.
If you need assistance, select the “Contact CPO” button.

Ask a question or receive updates – You must register and become a Plan Holder at VendorConnect to ask a question or get updates.

Please see the instructions above to register in VendorConnect (a VendorConnect External User Guide is available here)
Join as a new vendor
Find the South King County Fund solicitation (see steps 3-5 above)
From the solicitation Overview page, select the "Become a Plan Holder" button
When you are a Plan Holder, you may ask questions on the solicitation Overview page by selecting the "Ask Question" button
Responses to questions will be posted in the Documents tab and titled: Question and Answer Publication #1, Question and Answer Publication #2 (the following week), and so on. These responses will also be posted on the South King County Fund webpage.

How do I sign up for an information session?

You can sign up using the links provided in the Information Session section on the South King County Fund webpage. All sessions will be held online.

Do NOT RSVP in VendorConnect.

What kinds of organizations work with the Port?

The Port partners with organizations on a variety of programs, including job training and placement, pre-apprenticeship, job advancement and retention, youth training and employment, small business technical assistance, tourism promotion, environmental health and public improvement.

What are the eligibility requirements?

Proposers must be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization or an organization that has a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor:

An organization serving as a fiscal sponsor may submit its own proposal in addition to a proposal submitted on behalf of its sponsored organization
Collaboratives may apply, but a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in the collaborative must submit the proposal on behalf of the group

Additionally, proposers must demonstrate experience in serving communities in near-airport communities that are most economically vulnerable and face great challenges, including people of color, Native people, immigrants and refugees, those with less English proficiency, veterans, seniors, youth and/or people with disabilities.

How do you define "near-airport communities"?

Near-airport communities are those that are around the airport, for example: Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Normandy Park, SeaTac, and Tukwila.

Do I have to be a nonprofit organization to apply?

Yes. If your organization does not have 501(c)3 nonprofit status, you can apply through a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

Can an individual apply?

No, applicants must be 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, collaboratives, or fiscally-sponsored organizations.

Can a collaborative submit a proposal?

Yes, collaboratives may apply, but the applicant submitting the request on behalf of the group must be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

My group in Seattle serves a community based in Burien. Can we apply?

Yes, as long as the proposed project is focused on serving people in near-airport communities.

How much money can I request?

Requests can be up to $100,000.

Can I submit my proposal in a language other than English?

All written proposal materials must be submitted in English. However, you may use your preferred language when you have your discussion with the review panel. We will be happy to provide an interpreter.

Do I have to participate in a discussion with the Evaluation Team?

Yes. This discussion will give you the chance to talk in person with the Evaluation Team about your project. These conversations are in addition to — and not in place of – written proposals. Presentations will be conducted in English, and interpreters will be provided. If you would like an interpreter at your discussion, please let us know in your application form. We will contact you with scheduling options.

How do I ask for an interpreter for my discussion with the Evaluation Team?

If you would like an interpreter at your discussion with the review panel, please let us know in the application form.

Can I submit more than one proposal?

Only one application per nonprofit organization is allowed, except if the nonprofit organization is serving as a fiscal sponsor for another project.

How long should my proposal be?

The narrative section should be no more than six (6) pages, but if you can tell us your story in fewer pages, that is fine. Just briefly give us details about what you are going to do.The application cover sheet, project budget, and attachments do not count towards this six-page limit.

Are funds for general operating expenses or for projects?

Funds will be awarded for project-related expenses, not for general operating expenses.

Will you fund existing projects?

Yes, existing projects are eligible for funding. But funding will only cover activities that occur after the award contract has been executed.

If we receive a contract, how often will we need to submit a report?

You will be asked to provide a mid-year report and a final report.

When will I receive the funds?

You must pay your expenses first and then submit an invoice to the Port for reimbursement after the expense is incurred. Invoices can be submitted as often as monthly and will be paid upon receipt.

Can funds pay for staff time?

Yes, funds can be used for staff time, direct expenses, or subcontractors working on the project.

Related to South King County Fund Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

South King County Fund

Page Translations Select the links to view this page in the following languages: Amharic | Arabic | Chinese | Russian | Somali | Spanish | Ukrainian | Vietnamese What is the pur...

Back to Top