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Art by Freyja Whitney
New Capital Grant from HSD
REQUEST
FOR
PROPOSALS
HSD seeks to provide funding for capital projects that elevate the voices of those who live, work, and play in the South Downtown Seattle neighborhoods of Pioneer Square and Chinatown International District. Funded projects will help build community strength and identity, and develop resilience in these two historic districts.
A capital project is defined as one that leads to the creation or rehabilitation of the built environment. For the purposes of this grant making plan, in compliance with HB1408, HSD will focus capital dollars on:
A. Projects that intend to rehabilitate Unreinforced Masonry (URM) structures owned or controlled by community-serving organizations. Prioritization will be given to projects that also lead to the re-development of vacant upper floors, other unused or under-utilized residential spaces, or commercial to residential conversions
B. Projects that will lead to the development of new or rehabilitated cultural spaces.
C. Small Capital Repairs to increase the safety and sustainability of buildings owned or rented by community-serving organizations.
Organizational Background
Historic South Downtown is a state-created agency responsible for preserving, restoring, and promoting the health, safety, and cultural identity of Seattle’s Pioneer Square and Chinatown International District neighborhoods. Historic South Downtown was created by the Washington State Legislature in 2007 as the first community preservation and development authority in the state. Historic South Downtown exists to respond to impacts from ongoing construction of major public facilities, public works, capital projects and land use decisions in the two historic neighborhoods of South Downtown. It is governed by a board of thirteen volunteer, elected directors that represent community stakeholders from Chinatown International District, Pioneer Square, and local legislature. Details regarding our structure can be found at RCW 43.167. In 2026, the Washington State Legislature created a 10-year funding scheme to invest through Historic South Downtown into our service area. The funding plan calls for 30% of existing sales and use taxes on purchases made within the two downtown Stadiums and the Lumen Field Event Center. Applicants are not required to have a physical presence in South Downtown, but successful applicants will demonstrate their familiarity with the people, organizations and places that comprise these beloved neighborhoods of Seattle. Applicants should be able to demonstrate an understanding of neighborhood self-determination and place-based problem solving. All proposals will be evaluated to determine their alignment with the South Downtown’s neighborhoods Community Priorities and HSD’s Strategic Plan.
Funding, Project Period, and Payment
Successful applicants will engage in a contracting process with Historic South Downtown, which will include details about the disbursement schedule, performance benchmarks, scope of work finalization, and reporting requirements. Depending upon the project and size of budget, grant payments may be made in one lump sum, based on a reimbursement schedule, or defined performance benchmarks. All project funding expenditures must be completed by the grantee by June 30, 2027. The final award may be less than requested. Applicants should be prepared to receive partial funding. A selected applicant may be asked to revise the project scope or budget before the grant agreement is signed if the difference between the award and the request could impact the proposed scope of work.
Eligibility:
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The applicant’s project is within or serving people in Pioneer Square or the Chinatown International District (or both), as defined by the City of Seattle. Current district maps may be found at: HERE (CID) and HERE (Pioneer Square).
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The applicant holds a 501(c)(3) or related status. For our capital grants, we are unable to offer funding to organizations operating under a fiscal sponsorship.
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The application materials indicate that the applicant can expend all funding offered by the June 30, 2027 deadline.
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Failure to comply with any of the above items will result in an automatic denial.
Eligible and Ineligible Uses of Funds
Funds May Be Used For
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Staff time or professional fees related to the project
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Property acquisition and related costs.
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Pre-development planning, including feasibility studies.
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Permits, insurance, or other regulatory costs, costs related to establishing the property’s Reinforced Masonry status
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Public outreach and engagement.
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A 15% administrative overhead cost to cover staff supervision, management, benefits and other necessary, indirect costs.
Funds May NOT Be Used For
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Costs incurred before Sept. 23, 2026, or after June 30, 2027.
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Fines, penalties, or judgments, whether associated or not associated with the property to be purchased.
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Alcoholic beverages or other intoxicants.
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Any items specifically excluded by the State of Washington.
Requirements for Funded Projects
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Complete the approved scope of work during the grant period.
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Maintain and share records to document how grant funds were spent and that the funded work was completed.
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Maintain an appropriate level of insurance for the project proposed. The exact parameters will be defined and required as part of the contracting process.
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Notify Historic South Downtown before a significant change to the project scope, budget, timeline, location, partner roles, or key deliverables.
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Comply with all local, city, county, state or federal regulatory requirements, including historic preservation review boards, permits, licenses, insurance, or other requirements that apply to the project.
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Publicly recognize Historic South Downtown’s contribution to the project throughout the process to completion and opening, even beyond this performance period.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications must be submitted via our grant portal. Applicants will be required to create or log into an existing profile. The application will allow applicants to save and return. A list of questions to prepare can be found here. Applicants seeking support to access our grant portal may contact Chris Green at chris@historicsouthdowntown.org.
Applicants may request an in-person presentation format, which will allow them to present the bulk of their application in person. Details on accessing this option are included in the application.
Applications will not be accepted or reviewed:
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From applicants that do not hold nonprofit status under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
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For services, projects, investments or any other spending that do not provide support in the footprint of Pioneer Square or Chinatown International District.
There are no limitations for organizations applying to more than one funding round, submitting more than one project in any one funding round, or submitting funding requests for a single project in phases to more than one funding round.
Required Attachments
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Budget form or budget table.
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Budget Narrative
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Proof of site control (deed, contract for sale, etc.)
Review & Selection
Pre-Evaluation review will determine:
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If the applicant’s project is within or serving people in Pioneer Square or the Chinatown International District (or both), as defined by the City of Seattle. Current district maps may be found at: https://tinyurl.com/y9tn77xx (C-ID) and https://tinyurl.com/yb8unvv5 (Pioneer Square).
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If the applicant holds a 501(c)(3) or related status. For our capital grants, we are unable to offer funding to organizations operating under a fiscal sponsorship.
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If the application materials indicate that the applicant can expend all funding offered by the June 30, 2027 deadline.
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Failure to comply with any of the above items will result in an automatic denial.
Award, Agreement, & Payment Setup
Selected applicants will receive a written award notice stating the proposed award amount and any conditions that must be resolved before the grant agreement is signed. An award is not final until the required approval process is complete, and the grant agreement is executed.
Before payment, a selected grantee will be asked to provide:
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Signed grant agreement.
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Final approved scope, budget, timeline, and reporting dates.
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W9 form.
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Other documentation determined by the terms of the application.
Monitoring, Reporting, Records
Grantees will be expected to keep information to show what was completed and how grant funds were used. Documentation will be defined to match the type and size of the project.
Progress Update
Site Visit
Board Presentation
Final report, including expenses and supporting documentation.
Monthly updates via phone, email, or in person.
Monthly updates via phone, email, or in person
One presentation or report to HSD board within twelve months of project completion
Due no later than 07/16/2027 at 5PM PST
Changes After Award
From time to time, grantees may encounter barriers that make completion of the grant as proposed impossible or infeasible. If this happens, it is imperative that grantees contact Historic South Downtown as soon as possible. Changes may be allowed if the request is made in a timely fashion. Decisions on changes shall be made in consultation with the HSD Grant Program Manager, Executive Director, Board Grant Making Committee, Finance Committee and/or Community Review Panel. To request permission for a change of scope, budget or other significant element, Contact Chris Green at chris@historicsouthdowntown.org
Questions & Applicant Support
RFP Contact: Christopher Green, Grant Program Manager
chris@historicsouthdowntown.org
(509) 821-8150
Learn More about HSD Grants!
The best way to get to know Historic South Downtown's grant program is to learn more about the projects we've funded in the past. Check out the videos below or scroll through our grant projects portfolio. And check back for more, as we are still updating our website (as of 8/4/23).
Who We Are
Trip 5: Tukwila to the University of Washingtion
Spark the Parks Final 4K
One World Now Final 4K
