Washington State Student and Youth Homelessness COVID-19 Response Fund

Fund FAQ:

The Fund is made possible through the generosity of partners in philanthropy, business, and the community, including individual donors.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Nonprofit organizations, school districts, and local tribes that serve early learning program students, K-12 students, and/or youth and young adults (age 13-24) experiencing homelessness in Washington State can apply to the Washington State Student and Youth Homelessness COVID-19 Response Fund. Fiscally sponsored organizations are also eligible to apply.

We recognize the varying degrees of support organizations can provide students and youth and young adults experiencing homelessness, therefore we welcome applications from organizations that are not solely focused on providing housing support.

Organizations, school districts, or local tribes must be located within Washington State and serve students and/or youth and young adults experiencing homelessness within the state. We are particularly interested in supporting organizations, school districts, local tribes in rural areas given the lack of resources in these geographic areas.

Grants will range between $5,000 and $20,000 per application. Award amounts will vary depending on funding requests and resources available in the Washington State Student and Youth Homelessness COVID-19 Response Fund itself.

Given the limitations of the Fund, partial awards may be made. Once funds have been exhausted and we can no longer award grants, we will make an announcement on our website.

Funds will be allocated in support of both youth and young adults experiencing homelessness and early learning program and K-12 students experiencing homelessness.

Funding will be prioritized to organizations, school districts, and local tribes whose work aligns with the two principles listed below:

  1. EQUITY: Organizations, school districts, and local tribes that serve early learning program students, K-12 students, and/or youth and young adults in populations most impacted by COVID-19. Examples include but are not limited to the following groups: Blacks/African Americans, Latinx, American Indians/Alaskan Natives, LGBTQ, youth with disabilities, pregnant or parenting youth and young adults, immigrant/refugee, non-English speakers, youth with prior or current involvement in the legal system, commercial sexually exploited children, and youth living in households with domestic violence.
  2. GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY: Organizations, school districts, and local tribes that serve early learning program students, K-12 students, and/or youth and young adults, in all parts of Washington State including rural areas.

We recommend you complete one application, taking into consideration the population you primarily serve—youth and young adults experiencing homelessness or students experiencing homelessness.

(Updated 6/5/20) Pending funding availability, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. All applicants will be notified via email if they are awarded, not awarded, or if their application is on hold for further consideration if more funds become available. If awarded, you will first receive an award letter, followed by the funds within two to three weeks of receiving the award letter.

Funds can be used in any way organizations, school districts, and local tribes see fit in supporting students and youth and young adults experiencing homelessness. There is no deadline for when funds need to be used by. Here are some examples of allowable expenses:

  • Financial assistance for housing, food, and basic needs
  • Computer/hardware equipment for school and work
  • Internet/wi-fi access
  • Motel/hotel rooms for safe shelter and to allow social distancing
  • Hygiene, cleaning supplies, and personal protective equipment

(Updated 3/11/21) Applications for projects that have already received funding from the Washington State Student and Youth Homelessness COVID-19 Response Fund will be considered.

No, grantees do not need to report back on how grants were used. Instead, Building Changes may reach out with a simple, voluntary follow-up survey. This information helps us to identify future funding needs.

Please contact Building Changes’ program director, Liza Burell, (206) 805-6143.

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