The Launch program supports new and emerging cultural and science organizations in King County. Organizations that are selected through the Launch program will receive three years of general operating support and will also have access to additional capacity-building support services.

4Culture awards Launch grants based on an organization’s overall mission and plans—this grant is not project-based and cannot be used to support new programs at existing organizations.

You can use this grant:

You cannot use this grant:

If you are interested in funding for:

Launch Applicant Tracks

Applicants can choose from two tracks for this program, each tailored to a specific type of organization:

New Organizations

This track is for groups that:

This can include new collaborative ventures initiated by two or more existing organizations. These existing organizations must plan to incorporate a separate entity that offers new and distinct programs or services and have a decision-making body and leadership structure independent of the participating organizations. Collaborative ventures do not include new programs that will be housed at existing organizations or collaborations of two organizations where one of the collaborator’s sole role is providing fiscal sponsorship for the new venture.

New Organizations have three options for how much they can request from 4Culture’s Launch program:

Emerging Organizations

This track is for groups that:

Emerging Organizations have two options for how much they can request from 4Culture’s Launch program:

If you are not sure if your group meets either of these definitions or want guidance about which track is the best fit for your organization, please email Casey Moser at with more information about your group’s history.

4Culture cannot accommodate applicants changing Launch tracks after the Intent to Apply due date of April 16, 2026. If you decide you would like to change which track you apply in, make sure to contact 4Culture on or before that date.

Criteria

We fund all our grants through a competitive process, carefully evaluating each application. For this grant, panelists will focus on four criteria:

All review criteria are weighted equally.

Geographic and Equity Investments

4Culture recognizes that where an organization is based or provides its services, as well as the communities it serves, can affect access to funding and other resources. To take a step towards balancing these disparities, 4Culture will provide additional consideration to organizations that are based in parts of King County that are less served by other funding sources and to organizations that specifically serve marginalized communities, especially communities that are disproportionately impacted by structural racism.

If you meet any of the following criteria, your group may receive additional consideration during the peer reviewer panel process and/or additional support:

View this Communities of Opportunity map to determine whether your organization or primary venue is located in a COO. COO areas are outlined in purple.

Public Benefit: Why It Matters

4Culture is a public agency supporting the cultural and science sectors through revenue from Lodging Tax, 1% for Art, and Doors Open funding sources. Core to our work and defined in our Charter is a requirement that everything we fund serves the public interest, enriching communities throughout King County.

The term “Providing Public Benefit” means using public funds primarily to provide members of the public residing in and visiting King County access to opportunities to experience cultural and science resources. Public Benefit encompasses access and positive impacts for King County residents and visitors engaging with arts, culture, science and technology, historic spaces, and public art across our program areas.

As you work through your application, tell us exactly how your fellow King County residents will be able to enjoy and learn from your work. Here are some ways you can provide public benefit:

Why Racial Equity?

With a focus on racial equity, 4Culture funds, supports, and advocates for culture and science to enhance the quality of life in King County. We acknowledge that systematic inequity takes many forms—racism, sexism, ableism, transphobia, heterosexism, and more. Our focus on racial equity provides us with the tools we use to help dismantle all oppressions.

The goal of this program is to create pathways toward a racially equitable cultural and scientific landscape where cultural and scientific activities are accessible across the entire county.

To read more visit:
Racial Equity at 4Culture
Mission, Vision, Values

There are three types of eligibility requirements your organization must meet to be able to apply for Launch:

Discipline Requirements

The primary purpose of the organization must be the advancement and preservation of one or more of the following disciplines:

This primary purpose must be evident in your organization’s mission, programming, and plans. If you’re not sure which discipline best fits your organization or if your organization fits 4Culture’s funding disciplines, you can read more about what 4Culture can and cannot fund in these disciplines on our Discipline Eligibility page. If you still have questions, please contact Casey Moser at .

Please apply in the discipline that is most prominent for your group. Applications are reviewed by an interdisciplinary panel, and your discipline will not affect your likelihood of being funded.

4Culture cannot provide operating support for organizations whose primary purpose is religious. No grantee may use 4Culture funds for religious worship, exercise, or instruction, or for religious establishment according to Washington State Law.

Structural Requirement

Your organization also must meet all the structural requirements for your chosen track (New or Emerging):

Structural Requirement	Track
	New Organizations	Emerging Organizations
Your organization must meet 4Culture’s definition of a New or Emerging Organization (see more information about this in Section 1, What Launch Funds).	By Intent to Apply due date	By Intent to Apply due date
Your organization must be a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or be fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) organization. If your organization has its own 501(c)(3) status, your IRS determination letter must be dated on or after 1/1/2024. If you are currently fiscally sponsored or plan to be fiscally sponsored, please read the section below entitled “Applying to Launch as a Fiscally Sponsored Group” and contact 4Culture to see if your current or intended fiscal sponsor is pre-approved as eligible to receive public funds.	Only if awarded	By Intent to Apply due date
Your organization must be incorporated in Washington as a Nonprofit Corporation. If you are currently fiscally sponsored or plan to be fiscally sponsored, your group must be incorporated as a Washington Nonprofit Corporation separate from your fiscal sponsor. LLCs, sole proprietorships, or other business structures are not permitted.	Only if awarded	By Intent to Apply due date
Your organization must have a Board with at least three members. If you are currently fiscally sponsored or plan to be fiscally sponsored, you will need an Advisory Board that is separate from your fiscal sponsor’s Board.	Only if awarded	By Intent to Apply due date
Your organization must be based in and conduct a majority (51% or more) of your mission-based, in-person, public-facing activities in King County.	By Intent to Apply due date	By Intent to Apply due date
Your organization cannot be: A religious organization. A K-12 school or school district. A university, college, or institution of higher education. An agency of the state or any of its political subdivisions. A municipal corporation. An organization that raises money for redistribution to multiple cultural or science organizations. A radio or television broadcasting network or station, cable communications system, Internet-based communications venture or service, newspaper, or magazine. An organization conducting research that does not provide experiences to the general public. A medical or public health practice.	By Intent to Apply due date	By Intent to Apply due date

Public Benefit Requirements

4Culture defines Public Benefit as the opportunity for King County residents and visitors to access and engage in arts, science, and other cultural activities, events, communities of practice, historic and cultural spaces, and works of public art related to our program areas. It is a service requirement for all recipients of funding from 4Culture.

In addition to providing general public benefit(s), your organization must offer at least one Equity Inclusion Public Benefit AND/OR at least one Geographic Inclusion Public Benefit.

Examples of Equity Inclusion Public Benefits:

Examples of Geographic Inclusion Public Benefits:

Applying to Launch as a Fiscally Sponsored Group

4Culture maintains a list of pre-approved fiscal sponsors. This is not an exhaustive list of eligible fiscal sponsors. If you don’t see your fiscal sponsor listed here, that’s okay! Please contact 4Culture with the name of your current or intended fiscal sponsor, and it is possible that 4Culture can add them to our list of pre-approved fiscal sponsors.

Science and Technology organizations have additional requirements about which fiscal sponsors they can use to apply for 4Culture grants. Please contact 4Culture to learn more.

Here are 4Culture’s pre-approved fiscal sponsors that we believe are accepting new fiscal sponsees as of March 2026:

4Culture does not endorse any of the fiscal sponsors listed above; they are listed for your convenience as they have been confirmed as eligible to disburse public funds. It is your organization’s responsibility to thoroughly vet your fiscal sponsor before entering into an agreement.

If your fiscal sponsor is not able to be pre-approved and you are applying as an Arts, Heritage, or Historic Preservation organization, we can still accept your application. 4Culture recognizes that your group may be considering other factors when selecting a fiscal sponsor besides 4Culture’s pre-approval criteria (e.g., values and mission alignment, the fiscal sponsor’s services and fee/cost-share schedule, financial processes and controls, the number of other groups in their portfolio, etc.) and we want to give you the flexibility to work with the fiscal sponsor that is the best fit. Please contact 4Culture if you want to understand more about how working with a fiscal sponsor that has not been pre-approved could affect your Launch application.

For more information about applying to Launch as a fiscally sponsored group, please read our Fiscal Sponsorship Guide for Launch Applicants.

Other Considerations

If awarded, your organization must provide a W-9 form, sign a contract that limits 4Culture’s liability, and either obtain liability insurance that names 4Culture as an additional insured or confirm that any venues in which you operate have liability insurance that covers your events.

Groups that receive a Launch grant will not be able to apply for 4Culture’s Projects or Open 4Culture grants during their Launch grant period. If you have previously applied for or received a Projects or Open 4Culture grant, you are allowed to apply to Launch.

Application Worksheets, How-To Guides, and Other Resources

4Culture has put together a variety of documents with helpful information for Launch applicants.

Launch Application Worksheets

Launch Applicant Worksheets include a worksheet with all of the questions you will be asked in the Intent to Apply form and Full Application, as well as tips from 4Culture staff on how to put together a strong submission and details on what to expect after you submit your application.

Please note: all Intent to Apply forms and applications must be submitted online at apply.4culture.org. Using the application worksheet is NOT an alternative to the online application form.

How-To Guides

These documents provide step-by-step guides to completing different parts of the application process:

Sample Applications

Here are samples of applications that received Launch funding in past cycles:

You can also see a list of last year’s grant recipients on our Awardees page.

Other Resources

Use of AI in Application Drafting

4Culture encourages applicants to represent their work in an authentic and genuine manner. Panelists review dozens of applications at a time and notice patterns of similarity. If you use AI tools to help formulate your narratives, we encourage you to edit, personalize, and make your application unique to you. Panelists are prohibited from using AI summary tools to review submitted applications or generative AI to score submissions or write application comments.

Workshops and Office Hours

Workshops can make a major difference in how competitive your application is—each year, we find that the strongest applications come from people who have attended a workshop. They provide an opportunity for you to meet staff, learn about the process, and ask questions. During a grant workshop, 4Culture staff will walk attendees through a presentation on the grant guidelines and application with time for questions at the end. Workshops will be held in person and virtually. Virtual workshops will have captioning available, and you’ll need a Zoom account to join.

Office Hours are open sessions during which a grant manager will be standing by on Zoom to answer questions ahead of the application due date. There will not be a formal presentation. You can drop in at any point during the scheduled time and leave once your questions are answered. Office Hours will have captioning available, and you’ll need a Zoom account to join.

If you are unable to attend these workshops, you may view this recorded version instead:

Substitulos en Español | 中文字幕（繁體)

Work with a Consultant

4Culture has engaged several consultants familiar with expertise in grant writing, budgeting, and organizational development who can help you frame your project in the application.

During the Launch Intent to Apply process, applicants will have the option to ask to be matched with a consultant by 4Culture staff. This resource is free to applicants up to 5 hours of support. Consultants have been vetted by 4Culture and are familiar with the Launch grant program.

You can work with a consultant on:

Important things to know about this resource:

Lunch and Learn Session Recordings

Last year, 4Culture hosted a series of Lunch and Learn events on topics relevant to Launch applicants. View recordings of these sessions below:

Contact

Before you begin or after starting your application, you may have questions. In addition to office hours, our staff are available by email and phone to assist you.

For questions about the Launch application, the peer reviewer panel review process, or eligibility:
Casey Moser, Launch Program Manager

206-477-2316

For technical questions about submitting the Intent to Apply Form, your online account, or general Launch questions:
Maisha Barnett, Support Specialist

206-477-9877

Please don’t hesitate to contact us. If you would like to request 4Culture staff feedback on a draft of your application, you must request this no later than April 22, 2026.

4Culture staff will do their best to answer questions and assist Launch applicants. However, as the due date approaches, it will become less and less likely that they will be able to respond to your queries. The earlier you start the process, the more support 4Culture staff will be able to offer you.

Translation and Assistance

The grant guidelines, a detailed explanation of how to apply, and the grant application are in English. If this is a barrier that stops you from applying due to limited English writing ability, visual impairment, or you would like to request assistance to create an application, please contact or call (206) 296-7580 or TTY 711, and we will ensure you get the support you need.

中文 (Chinese)

新成立类资助可以为新成立和新兴的艺术类、保护类、遗产类以及科技类非营利组织提供为期三年的一般性的业务运营支持资金，以满足其日常运营需求。您可以将该资助的资金用于各种与面向 King County 居民和游客开放的项目相关的运营成本，包括启动费用、支付合同工和员工的薪酬、水电费、用品费、费用以及服务费等。在三年期间资助金额从 45,000 美元到 180,000 美元不等。位于 King County 的非营利组织，如果其运营时间或成为 501(c)(3) 组织的时间不超过三年，且其主要宗旨是促进和保护艺术、历史保护、遗产或科学技术发展，就有资格申请。

提交初步申请意向表的截止时间为 2025 年 8 月 13 日太平洋夏令时间 (PDT) 下午 5 点。在提交的申请意向表完成审核后，显示符合项目资格标准的团体将获得提交完整申请的链接，提交完整申请的截止时间为 2025 年 8 月 27 日太平洋夏令时间 (PDT) 下午 5 点。资助决定结果将于 2025 年 12 月公布。

我们随时为您提供帮助！如对本项目有任何疑问，请联系新成立类项目经理 Casey Moser，电子邮件地址：。

資助指南、如何申請的詳細說明以及資助申請表均為英文版。如果您因英語書寫能力有限、視力障礙而無法申請，或是在填寫申請表時需要協助，請發送電子郵件至 jackie.mixon@4culture.org 或致電 (206) 296-7580 或 TTY 711 進行聯絡，我們會確保您獲得所需的幫助。

Русский (Russian)

Программа грантов Launch (Старт) предоставляет финансирование сроком на три года для покрытия основных операционных расходов на повседневные потребности новых и развивающихся некоммерческих организаций в области искусства, сохранения культурно-исторического наследия, а также науки и технологий. Этот грант можно использовать для покрытия различных операционных расходов, связанных с программами, доступными жителям и гостям округа Кинг, включая начальные затраты, заработную плату для персонала и подрядчиков, расходные материалы, сборы, коммунальные и другие услуги. Общая сумма гранта за трехлетний период составляет от 45 000 долл. США до 180 000 долл. США. Подать заявку могут некоммерческие организации округа Кинг, действующие или имеющие статус 501(c)(3) менее трех лет, со следующей основной целью: развитие и сохранение искусства, культурно-исторического наследия или науки и технологий.

Крайний срок подачи предварительной заявки — 13 августа 2025 года до 17:00 по тихоокеанскому летнему времени. Организации, которые по результатам рассмотрения предварительной заявки будут признаны соответствующими критериям для участия в программе, получат ссылку на полную форму заявки, которую необходимо подать не позднее 17:00 27 августа 2025 года по тихоокеанскому летнему времени. Решения о присуждении грантов огласят в декабре 2025 года.

Мы готовы помочь вам! Если у вас есть вопросы о программе, обратитесь к менеджеру программы Launch по электронной почте .

Правила предоставления гранта, подробная инструкция по подаче заявки, а также сама заявка на грант составлены на английском языке. Если вы не можете подать заявку из-за недостаточного владения письменной английской речью или нарушений зрения, либо нуждаетесь в помощи для составления заявки, напишите по адресу jackie.mixon@4culture.org или позвоните по телефону (206) 296-7580, либо TTY 711. Мы предоставим вам необходимую поддержку.

Soomaali (Somali)

Deeqaha la daahfurayo waxay bixinayaan saddex sanno oo maalgalin shaqooyinka guud ah si loo daboolo baahiyaha farshaxanka cusub iyo kan soo ifbaxaya, kaydinta, hiddaha, iyo sayniska iyoo teknoolojiyada ururada aan faa’iido doonka ahayn. Waxaad deeqda u isticmaali kartaa in aad ku bixiso kharashyada hawlaha kala duwan ee la xiriira sida ay barnaamijyada u heli lahaayeen dadka degan King County iyo dadka soo booqda oo ay ku jiraan kharashaadka biloowga ah, si loo bixiyo lacagaha shaqaalaha iyo qandaraasleyaasha, adeegyada, badeecooyinka, kharashaadka, iyo adeegyada. Cadadka deeqdu wuxuu u dhexeeyaa $45,000 ilaa $180,000 in ka badan sadde sanno. Ururada aan faa’iido doonka ahayn ee uu fadhigoodu yahay King County waxay ku shaqaynayeen ama kujireen 501(c)(3) in ka yar saddex sano ayadoo ujeedadooda koowaad ay tahay horumarinta iyo ilaalinta farshaxanka, ilaalinta waxyaabaha taariikhiga ah, hidaha, ama ururada ku shaqeeya arrimaha sayniska iyo tignoolajiyada ayaa u qalma inay codsadaan.

Taariikhda kama danbeysta ah ii foonka codsiga ugu horeeya lasoo gudbinayo waa Ogoosto 13, 2025, saacadu markay tahay 5galabnimo PDT. Kooxaha foomkooda codsigu muujinayo inay buuxiyeen shuruudaha u qalmitaanka barnaamijka waxaa la siin doonaa lifaaqa ay kusoo gudbin lahaayeen Codsi Dhammaystiran, kaasoo laga rabo Ogoosto 27, 2025, ugu danbayn 5galabnimo PDT. Go’aanada abaalmarinta waxaa shaacin doonaa Diisambar 2025.

Waxaan diyaar u nahay inaan ku caawino! Fadla kala xiriir Casey Moser, Maareeyaha Branaamijka Launch wixii su’aalo ah oo aad barnaamijkaan ka qabto.

Tilmaamaha deeqda, sharraxaada faahfaahsan ee ku saabsan sida loo codsado, iyo codsiga deeqda waxay dhammaan ku qoran yihiin Af-Ingiriisi. Haddii arrintaan ay tahay caqabad kaa hor istaageyso codsashada oo ay sabab u tahay awoodda qorista Af-Ingiriisiga oo xadidan, naafanimo aragga ah, ama aad jeclaan lahayd inaad codsato in lagaa caawiyo in aad codsi sameyso, fadlan la xiriir jackie.mixon@4culture.org ama wac (206) 296-7580 ama TTY 711, waxaana xaqiijin doonnaa inaad hesho taageerada aad u baahan tahay.

Español (Spanish)

Las subvenciones de lanzamiento ofrecen tres años de financiación de apoyo operativo general para satisfacer las necesidades cotidianas de organizaciones sin fines de lucro nuevas y emergentes en los ámbitos del arte, preservación, patrimonio, ciencia y tecnología. Puede usar esta subvención para cubrir diversos costos operativos relacionados con programas accesibles para los residentes y visitantes del condado de King, incluidos costos iniciales para pagar a contratistas y personal, servicios públicos, suministros, honorarios y servicios.

Los montos de las subvenciones oscilarán entre $45 000 y $180 000 durante tres años. Las organizaciones sin fines de lucro con base en el condado de King que hayan estado operando o sido una 501(c)(3) por menos de tres años y cuyo propósito principal sea el avance y la preservación del arte, conservación histórica, patrimonio o ciencia y tecnología son elegibles para enviar una solicitud.

La fecha límite para presentar el formulario de consulta inicial es el 13 de agosto de 2025 a las 5:00 p. m. hora del Pacífico. A aquellos grupos cuyos formularios de consulta muestren que cumplen con los criterios de elegibilidad para el programa se les brindará un enlace para presentar una solicitud completa hasta el 27 de agosto de 2025 antes de las 5:00 p. m. hora del Pacífico. Las decisiones en cuanto al otorgamiento se anunciarán en diciembre de 2025.

¡Estamos para ayudarle! Comuníquese con Casey Moser, gerente del programa de lanzamiento en si tiene preguntas relacionadas a este programa. Las directrices de la subvención, la explicación detallada de cómo solicitarla y la solicitud de la subvención están redactadas en inglés. Si esto supone un impedimento para presentar la solicitud debido a una capacidad limitada para escribir en inglés, una discapacidad visual o necesita ayuda para crear una solicitud, póngase en contacto con jackie.mixon@4culture.org o llame al (206) 296-7580 o TTY 711, y nos aseguraremos de que reciba la ayuda que necesita.

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Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)

Các khoản tài trợ Ra Mắt cung cấp kinh phí hỗ trợ hoạt động chung trong ba năm nhằm đáp ứng nhu cầu hàng ngày của các tổ chức phi lợi nhuận mới thành lập và đang phát triển trong lĩnh vực nghệ thuật, bảo tồn, di sản, cũng như khoa học và công nghệ. Quý vị có thể sử dụng khoản tài trợ này cho nhiều loại chi phí vận hành liên quan đến các chương trình dành cho cư dân và du khách tại King County, bao gồm chi phí khởi động, để trả lương cho nhân viên và nhà thầu, chi phí tiện ích, vật tư, các khoản phí và dịch vụ khác. Các khoản tài trợ sẽ dao động từ $45.000 đến $180.000 trong vòng ba năm. Các tổ chức phi lợi nhuận có trụ sở tại King County, đã hoạt động hoặc được công nhận là tổ chức 501(c)(3) dưới ba năm, có mục tiêu chính là thúc đẩy và bảo tồn nghệ thuật, bảo tồn lịch sử, di sản hoặc khoa học và công nghệ đều đủ điều kiện để nộp đơn xin tài trợ.

Hạn chót để nộp đơn yêu cầu thông tin ban đầu là 5:00 chiều (giờ PDT) ngày 13 tháng 8 năm 2025. Những nhóm có Đơn Yêu Cầu Thông Tin cho thấy họ đáp ứng các tiêu chí đủ điều kiện của chương trình sẽ được cung cấp một liên kết để nộp Đơn Đăng Ký Đầy Đủ, với hạn chót là 5:00 chiều (giờ PDT) ngày 27 tháng 8 năm 2025. Quyết định trao tài trợ sẽ được công bố vào tháng 12 năm 2025.

Chúng tôi luôn sẵn sàng hỗ trợ! Vui lòng liên hệ với Casey Moser, Giám Đốc Chương Trình Tài Trợ Ra Mắt để được giải đáp thắc mắc về chương trình này.

Các hướng dẫn về khoản tài trợ, giải thích chi tiết về cách nộp đơn và đơn đăng ký tài trợ đều bằng tiếng Anh. Nếu đây là rào cản khiến quý vị không thể nộp đơn đăng ký do khả năng viết tiếng Anh hạn chế, suy giảm thị lực hoặc quý vị muốn yêu cầu hỗ trợ để tạo đơn đăng ký, Làm ơn liên hệ jackie.mixon@4culture.org hoặc gọi (206) 296-7580 hoặc TTY 711 và chúng tôi sẽ hỗ trợ những gì quý vị cần.

Timeline

Complete your account profile and submit your Intent to Apply form online by April 16, 2026, at 5:00 pm PDT. 4Culture staff will review the information provided in your Intent to Apply form and ensure you are eligible to apply for Launch funding.

If your group is eligible, you will be provided with a link to complete an online application. (Please note that you can access a copy of the application with all of the questions before being provided the application link by using one of the application worksheets above, linked under “Helping You Succeed”). Applications for Launch, as well as your organization’s demographic and financial information, are due May 6, 2026, at 5:00 pm PDT.

Selection Process

4Culture facilitates panels of peer reviewers to evaluate all eligible applications. Peer reviewers are cultural or scientific practitioners, administrators, and subject-matter experts with ties to the King County community. Reviewers change from cycle to cycle. 4Culture staff do not score applications or try to influence the outcome.

The peer reviewer panel makes recommendations, which are sent to one of 4Culture’s Community Advisory Committees for review and then to 4Culture’s Board for final approval. The entire process, from application due date to final award notification, takes approximately four months. We will notify you about the status of your Launch application in October 2026. Contracting will begin in early 2027 for awardees.

Contracts and Payment

If we select your organization for funding, your 4Culture grant manager will work with you to create a contract. The contract defines deliverables and public benefits, sets a timeline, and governs project evaluation and the payment of funds. All award recipients must sign their contracts before they can receive any grant funds.

In addition to 4Culture’s standard funding contract language, there will be three requirements for organizations that are awarded Launch grants:

Additionally, your organization must provide a W-9 form and either obtain liability insurance that names 4Culture as an additional insured or confirm that any venues in which you operate have liability insurance that covers your events.

In order to receive payment, your group will need to provide 4Culture with periodic updates about your programming, attendance, public open hours, progress on the goals identified in your application, financials, communities served, and other information. More information about what data 4Culture requires to issue payments will be provided to awardees.

Requirements and Appeals

Learn about what will be required if you are awarded a grant, and about the process for appeal of a 4Culture decision.

There are five steps to apply for a Launch grant. You must complete all of these steps to be considered for this grant.

What’s in the Intent to Apply Form and Application

The following materials are required for this application cycle. We strongly recommend assembling them before you log in and begin your application.

Intent to Apply form for all applicants

This section is required and will be reviewed by 4Culture staff to confirm your group is eligible to apply for Launch. The information you include in this section will NOT be seen by review panelists or have any bearing on your application aside from verifying eligibility. You will be asked to:

There are also several optional questions that will not be used to evaluate your group’s eligibility to apply for Launch but will be used by 4Culture’s staff to improve our outreach efforts and connect applicants with support. You can choose to let us know:

Application

Application questions will be slightly different depending on whether you are applying as a New or Emerging Organization. Submitting the Intent to Apply Form will help us make sure you complete the correct application. What you write in the application will be seen by review panelists and used to make award decisions.

Please contact 4Culture if you have a question about which track is the best fit for your group.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save after each step and sign out—your progress will be saved as a draft that you can continue to work on up to the due date. Once you hit “Submit,” your application is final.

4Culture is here to help! Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions during the process.

Application for New Organizations

Organization Description

Please provide an overview of your group. How long ago did you start? What made you want to start a new organization? What is your vision for the organization?

Programming

Please describe a sampling of programs, services, and/or events your group has produced that represent your organization’s work. How were the ideas for those programs, services, and/or events developed? Where did they take place? Please provide dates for past or upcoming programs, services, and/or events when known.

Community

Please describe the community(ies) you operate in. Who do you reach with your work? What does your organization add to your community(ies) that has not existed before?

General Public Benefits

4Culture defines Public Benefit as the opportunity for King County residents and visitors to access and engage in arts, science, and other cultural activities, events, communities of practice, historic and cultural spaces, and works of public art related to our program areas. It is also a service requirement for all recipients of funding from 4Culture. Please describe any efforts your group will undertake to make your work more accessible to King County residents, particularly for underserved populations.

Relevant Expertise/Experience/Accomplishments

Who will be involved in managing your group (staff, volunteers, consultants, contractors, etc.)? What role(s) will they play? Describe the experience and skills your team possesses to complete the work successfully (resumes are not required – brief summaries are preferred). Describe how your team works together and makes decisions.

Planning and Goals

Tell us about your plans to get your group’s operations up and running (planning, raising money, bringing in volunteers and staff, setting up operating structure, developing programs and services, etc.) What are the top 2-3 goals of your organization for 2027-29? Why are these goals a priority for your group, and how will you measure your progress toward those goals?

Request

How much are you requesting from 4Culture’s Launch program?

Income

Do you have other projected sources of income over the next three years (2027-2029)? Your best estimate is fine, and 4Culture will not hold you to these numbers if things change. Please include your Launch grant request in your calculations.

Expenses

Tell us about your group’s expenses for the next three years (2027-2029). What costs will your group incur to successfully start your work and achieve your preliminary goals? Your best estimate is fine, and 4Culture will not hold you to these numbers if things change. Ensure your total income is greater than or equal to your total expenses (in other words, the budget must demonstrate your group’s plans are financially feasible).

Budget Notes

Provide details of any items that require further information for the panel to understand project finances, e.g., if any of the income or expenses listed above have already been confirmed, what is included in “other” expenses and income; sources of grants; rationale for totals, etc.

Advancing Equity

Does your organization specifically benefit communities of color and/or historically marginalized communities in King County? If so, how and why? Does the project collaborate with members of these communities, and if so, how? This is not required for funding, but it will be a criterion that panelists will consider when evaluating your application.

Optional Upload

You may upload one document of no more than five pages that helps to tell the story of your group and its history and/or goals for the peer reviewer panel. This is not required.

Application for Emerging Organizations

Organization Description

Please provide an overview of your group. How long ago did you start? Where are you on your organizational development journey? What is your vision for the organization in the future?

Programming

Please describe a sampling of programs, services, and/or events your group has produced that represent your organization’s work. How were the ideas for those programs, services, and/or events developed? Where did they take place? Please provide dates for past or upcoming programs, services, and/or events when known.

Community

Please describe the community(ies) you are operating in or plan to operate in. Who are you planning to reach with your work? What will your organization add to your community(ies) that has not existed before? How is your programming distinct from what already exists?

General Public Benefits

4Culture defines Public Benefit as the opportunity for King County residents and visitors to access and engage in arts, science, and other cultural activities, events, communities of practice, historic and cultural spaces, and works of public art related to our program areas. It is also a service requirement for all recipients of funding from 4Culture. Please describe any efforts your group will undertake to make your work more accessible to King County residents, particularly for underserved populations.

Position Details

Tell us about your plans for your first staff member. What is the title of the position you’d like to hire for, and what will the position’s responsibilities be? Who will this person report to, and how will they work with other members of the team? Approximately how many hours will they work per week? What is your hiring timeline?

Planning and Goals

What are the top 2-3 goals of your organization for 2027-29? Why are these goals a priority for your group, and how does adding an FTE staff member support these goals?

Staff Plans

Launch grants for Emerging Organizations provide payments that are higher in the first two years and lower in the third and final year of your grant contract. How does your organization plan to fund your new staff member’s compensation in the third year of this grant and into the future?

FTE Expense Detail

Please provide estimates for your new FTE’s total compensation over the next three years (salary and benefits).

Budget

How much are you requesting from 4Culture’s Launch program?

Income

Do you have other projected sources of income over the next three years (2027-2029)? Your best estimate is fine, and 4Culture will not hold you to these numbers if things change. Please include your Launch grant request in your Launch grant request in your calculations.

Expenses

Tell us about your group’s expenses for the next three years (2027-2029). What costs will your group incur to build your group, add a staff member, and achieve your goals? Your best estimate is fine, and 4Culture will not hold you to these numbers if things change. Launch grants provide general operating support, and your organization can decide how to spend your grant dollars if awarded. Launch grants can be used to pay for salary and benefits for your new staff person, as well as other operating or programming costs. Ensure your total income is greater than or equal to your total expenses (in other words, the budget must demonstrate your group’s plans are financially feasible). Under “People”, include your FTE’s total compensation and payments to anyone else you hire as a contractor.

Budget Notes

Provide details of any items that require further information for the panel to understand project finances, e.g., if any of the income or expenses listed above have already been confirmed, what is included in “other” expenses and income; sources of grants; rationale for totals, etc.

Advancing Equity

Does your organization specifically benefit communities of color and/or historically marginalized communities in King County? If so, how and why? Does the project collaborate with members of these communities, and if so, how? This is not required for funding, but it will be a criterion that panelists will consider when evaluating your application.

Board List

Please list your Board members. Include their names, titles/community affiliations, how long they’ve held this position, and when their board term ends.

IRS Determination Letter

Please upload a copy of your organization’s 501(c)(3) determination letter. If you are currently fiscally sponsored, please upload a copy of your fiscal sponsor’s 501(c)(3) determination letter.

Certificate of Incorporation as a Washington State Nonprofit Corporation

Please upload a copy of your organization’s Washington State Certificate of Incorporation. If you are currently fiscally sponsored, you should have an incorporation that is specific to your group. Do not upload your fiscal sponsor’s Certificate of Incorporation.

Optional Upload

You may upload one document of no more than five pages that helps to tell the story of your group and its history and/or goals for the peer reviewer panel. This is not required.