Sustained Support Midstream Cycle
Sustained Support provides unrestricted operating support to assist with the day-to-day needs of arts, heritage, historic preservation, and science & technology organizations in King County.
Organizations that did not receive a Sustained Support grant for 2025-27 may apply for this 2026-2027 funding. Organizations that have already been awarded 2025-2027 Sustained Support grants do not need to reapply for 2026-2027.
IMPORTANT: organizations that plan to apply must save a draft application by Wednesday, August 27 at 5:00 pm PST to allow 4Culture staff to complete an eligibility pre-screening for this grant. The application link will not be available to organizations to start an application after that date.
This grant is funded by King County’s Lodging Tax and sales tax through Doors Open legislation. Please review the eligibility requirements and update your organization’s account profile before starting your application.
Steps to Apply
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What Sustained Support Funds
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What Sustained Support Funds
Sustained Support grants provide general operating funds across King County. You will not request a specific amount; your award will be based on panel score, geographic and equity investment eligibility, and budget size.
Sustained Support grants are available for King County-based nonprofit arts, heritage, historic preservation, and science and technology organizations, as well as Tribal governments, public development authorities, and public agencies. We award these funds based on an organization’s overall mission, activities, and public benefit—this grant is not project-based.
If you are interested in funding for:
- Capital projects, consider applying for Building for Equity: Facilities or Building for Equity: Project Development.
- Newly formed organizations, consider applying for Launch.
Criteria
We fund all of our grants through a competitive process, carefully evaluating each application.
For this grant, a panel will evaluate your application based on the following criteria:
- Discipline-focused Services and Public Programming: your organization’s primary purpose is aligned with the discipline selected in your application (arts, heritage, historic preservation, or science & technology); your organization offers services and programs available to the public aligned with your mission and goals and pertaining to your discipline.
- Public Benefit: your organization offers substantial public benefit, including but not limited to: reduced cost or free admission, events, programs, or services offered to members of the public. Your organization has a focus on increasing access to arts, heritage, historic preservation, or science and technology experiences in King County.
- Community Engagement and Impact: your organization engages with your community; your organization provides community access to your programs and services; your organization has demonstrated responsiveness to your community’s needs/interests; your organization benefits local community through economic impact.
- Advancing Equity: 4Culture’s mission focuses on racial equity and envisions a county where culture is essential and accessible to all. Your organization’s focus is on marginalized communities, especially communities that are disproportionately impacted by structural racism (e.g. serving Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, engaging BIPOC leaders within a community, etc.). Meeting this criterion is not a requirement to be eligible for funding.
- Management and Sustainability: your organization has paid and/or unpaid staff, volunteer, and board expertise and experience to manage your organization; your organization has goals for internal operations in 2026 and over the next two to three years; your organization has demonstrated organizational adaptability to changes in your community and in the field.
Public Benefit: Why It Matters
4Culture is a public agency supporting the cultural sector 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 resources. Public Benefit encompasses access and positive impacts for King County residents and visitors engaging with arts, culture, 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:
- Providing the public with access to your creative work, project, or program for free or at a reduced rate.
- Providing educational programs and experiences at cultural organizations, schools, or other venues accessible to the public.
- Exploring ways to expand and broaden your creative work and activities for the education and entertainment of the public.
- Participating in collaborative relationships with other cultural organizations, individuals, and groups to extend the reach and impact of a project or program for the benefit of the public.
- Organizational or individual capacity-building projects or activities that provide meaningful public benefits not otherwise achievable.
- For cultural organizations: providing, through technological and other means, services or programs in locations other than an organization’s own facilities.
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 funding to organizations that are based in parts of King County that have less access to other funding sources, and to organizations that specifically serve marginalized communities, especially communities that are disproportionately impacted by structural racism. Organizations with an annual budget over $5 million do not qualify for additional Geographic and Equity Investment funding.
Each of our grant programs utilizes geographic and equity investments tailored to the specific needs of its applicants. This organization-wide practice —and what we learn about its impact—is an important step towards more equitable funding at 4Culture and throughout the King County cultural sector. If you meet any of the following criteria, you may be eligible for additional consideration during the panel process and/or additional support:
Equity Investment Score
Organizations that the adjudicating panel of peer reviewers agree are excelling in advancing equity in King County will receive an additional Equity Investment.
Outside of the City of Seattle
Non-profits with a primary location outside of Seattle City limits will receive additional geographic equity funds. Eligibility will be determined based on the mailing address in your account profile. This address should be consistent with what your organization uses for IRS reporting purposes.
Communities of Opportunity
Organizations that are located in a Community of Opportunity are eligible for additional Equity Investment funds. The Communities of Opportunity (COO) index includes a set of health and socioeconomic indicators to gauge community health and well-being. 4Culture aligns our Equity investments with the COO index to identify the areas of King County in greatest need of support.
View this Communities of Opportunity map to determine whether your organization or primary venue is located in a COO. COO areas eligible for an Equity investment are outlined in purple:
Please reach out to Bret Fetzer at if you have any questions.
What’s Our Approach to Racial Equity?
With a focus on racial equity, 4Culture funds, supports, and advocates for culture to enhance the quality of life in King County. Our commitment to racial equity inspires us to cultivate the tools and practices needed to dismantle forms of oppression.
To read more visit:
Racial Equity at 4Culture
Mission, Vision, Values
On-Site Reviews
Organizations funded by Sustained Support may be evaluated by on-site reviewers who attend a scheduled event, or open hours, and provide written comments for use by future grant review panels.
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Are You Eligible?
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Are You Eligible?
Your Organization
Sustained Support grants are available for King County-based nonprofit arts, heritage, historic preservation, and science & technology organizations, as well as Tribal governments, public development authorities, and public agencies. We award these funds based on an organization’s overall mission and activities—this grant is not project-based.
To be eligible for a Sustained Support award, your organization must:
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Have a mission that includes a focus on one of our four disciplines:
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Arts: includes organizations focused on creative place-making, cultural festivals, dance, design, film, folk and traditional arts, literary arts, multidisciplinary arts, music, theater, and visual arts.
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Heritage: includes organizations focused on the preservation and transmission of local history; ethnic history; Native cultures; folklore and intangible cultural heritage; and historic and archaeological resources.
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Historic Preservation: includes organizations focused on advocacy or assistance to preserve, promote, and sustain historic places; education about our historic built environment; or stewarding historic properties that serve as a venue for cultural activities.
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Science and Technology: includes organizations focused on natural and social sciences, characterized by a formalized framework that entails the reproducible testing and revision of falsifiable ideas based on observable facts, as well as formal and applied sciences, such as mathematics and engineering. Applicants that are zoos or aquariums must also be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
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Have your primary location in King County and a significant portion of your activities occur in King County.
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Have a board of directors, or an advisory council or equivalent decision-making body.
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Have a proven two-year record of providing heritage, historic preservation, or science & technology experiences or services to the residents and visitors of King County. Arts organizations must have a proven three-year record of providing arts experiences or services to the residents and visitors of King County.
Please note:
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If your organization is a Local Arts Agency (LAA) or a municipal historic preservation program, please contact your Program Manager before beginning your application.
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If you are using a fiscal sponsor to apply for this grant, you must have prior approval by 4Culture staff. You will need to indicate if you are applying with a Fiscal Sponsor in your application, and 4Culture will review both you and your fiscal sponsor’s eligibility to receive funding. Please review our Fiscal Sponsorship page.
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If you are a Science and Technology organization, please review the additional information below.
The following are not eligible across all disciplines:
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K-12 schools and school districts.
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Individual practitioners.
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This grant may not be used for religious worship or instruction.
Your Organization’s Eligible Expenses
Sustained Support funds may be used to pay for the following:
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Staff salaries.
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Utilities.
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Supplies.
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Fees.
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Services.
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General costs related to arts, heritage, historic preservation, and science & technology programs and activities accessible to King County residents and visitors.
Sustained Support funds may not be used to pay for the following:
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Fundraising.
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Capital projects, please see our Building for Equity: Facilities or Building for Equity: Project Development grants.
Science + Technology Organizations
Our new discipline, Science and Technology, has stricter eligibility requirements than the other disciplines. Science and Technology-based organizations and their fiscal sponsors must also:
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Be incorporated in the state of Washington.
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Be recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) OR be working with an eligible Fiscal Sponsor.
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Be based in and conduct a majority of your mission-based, public-facing activities in King County with a primary focus on science and technology.
Science and Technology-based organizations and their fiscal sponsors may not be:
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A university, college, or institution of higher education.
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An agency of the state or any of its political subdivisions.
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A municipal corporation.
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An organization that raises money for redistribution to multiple cultural organizations.
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A radio or television broadcasting network or station, cable communications system, Internet-based communications venture or service, newspaper, or magazine.
Science and Technology-based organizations and their fiscal sponsors may not use Sustained Support funds for:
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Health and Wellbeing: medical and public health practice, broadly defined rather than only legally defined, including but not limited to medical treatment; medical instruction; medical or nutritional advice as well as mental health or wellness advice; life coaching; or personal growth instruction
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Training: vocational training, general professional development, or programs intended to assist adults in obtaining employment. Professional development specific to staff and volunteers of science organizations providing experiences to the general public is eligible.
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Pseudoscience: the promotion of any system of beliefs or concepts that exhibits characteristics including but not limited to the inability in principle to be falsified by observable facts, lacking a research framework that tests and revises ideas based on observable facts, and/or has been demonstrated to be false by observable facts
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Research: the conduct of primary research not directly providing educational experiences to the general public
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Social Services: the delivery of social services, including but not limited to such services as food banks and pantries, affordable housing, or disability assistance
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Incidental Programs: science and technology projects, events, or activities by organizations that do not meet the eligibility criteria for a science organization
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Lobbying: including grassroots lobbying or advocacy that promotes grassroots lobbying
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Helping You Succeed
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Helping You Succeed
Workshops + Office Hours
Please join us to meet staff, learn how to apply, ask questions, and meet other applicants. Workshops make a big difference in the success of your application. We find that the strongest applications come from people who have attended a workshop.
At Office Hours, we will be standing by on Zoom to answer any questions, provide quick feedback on your application, and help you succeed. There will be no formal presentation during office hours, but Program Managers will be on hand to answer any questions ahead of the application deadline.
Online sessions will be hosted on Zoom video conference with captioning available. You will need a Zoom account to join. Please register through the links below.
Accessibility: ASL interpretation can be provided for any workshop by advance request. Please contact Jackie Mixon at for access requests and questions.
Videos
Watch these step-by-step videos for tips on how to set up an account, access the application, as well as a detailed walkthrough of the application.
Worksheet
This worksheet includes the full application with helpful tips. Use this to work offline, draft your responses, and then copy-and-paste them into the online application. This worksheet is NOT a substitute for submitting your application via the online portal and will not be accepted as your application.
Download the worksheet: Word or PDF
Sample Applications
Read through a sample application that received funding. View the full list of grant recipients: Arts, Heritage, Preservation, Science and Technology.
Sample applications:
Environmental Science Center
Kubota Garden Foundation
Pacific Sámi Searvi
yəhaw̓ Indigenous Creatives Collective
Contact
We are here to help! Please contact us if you have a question about your organization’s eligibility or if you would like to have your application draft reviewed. Please contact your discipline’s Program Manager before Wednesday, August 27 for this review request.
IMPORTANT: organizations that plan to apply must save a draft application by Wednesday, August 27 at 5:00 pm PST to allow 4Culture staff to complete an eligibility pre-screening for this grant. Final applications must be submitted by Wednesday, September 10 at 5:00 pm PST. The application link will not be available to organizations to start an application after August 27 at 5:00 pm PST.
Heritage
Natasha Varner, Ph.D.
206-848-0008
Historic Preservation
Dana Phelan
206-263-1604
Science + Technology
Jennifer Pritchard
206-263-8305
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)
作為 4Culture 旗艦資助計劃的延伸，「持續的支持」計劃將提供為期一年的無限制資助，以滿足藝術、保護、遺產和科技類非營利組織的日常需求。該補助金可以用於支付與 King 縣居民和訪客可以享受到的計劃有關的各種營運費用，包括員工工資、水電費、用品、以及服務。以促進和保護藝術、保護歷史、遺產或科學技術為主要目的的 King 縣非營利組織均有資格申請「持續的支持」計劃。
4Culture 是 King 縣的指定機構，主要負責分配於 2023 年 12 月通過的「門戶開放」法案所增加的新資金。這筆資金使本週期的「持續的支持」計劃的資金總額增加到了 2,400 萬美元。所有「門戶開放」計劃的資金至少有 25% 將用於西雅圖市以外的組織機構。
按照往年來講，「持續的支持」計劃的資助期限為兩年，但是此次計劃的資助期僅為一年。下一個兩年週期（2026-2027 年）將於 2025 年秋季重新開放申請。申請的截止日期為 2024 年 9 月 4 日下午 5:00（太平洋夏令時間）。申請結果將於 2024 年 12 月公布，合約簽訂工作將於 2025 年 1 月開始。
我們隨時可以為您提供幫助！若對本計劃有任何疑問，請聯絡 Doors Open Operating Support Program（門戶開放營運支持計劃）經理 Fundisha Tibebe（電子郵件地址：）。
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 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)
Поскольку программа «Постоянная поддержка» является дополнением к основной программе грантов 4Culture, она предоставит неограниченное финансирование сроком на один год для удовлетворения повседневных потребностей некоммерческих организаций в области искусства, сохранения культурно-исторического наследия, а также науки и технологий. Этот грант можно использовать для покрытия различных эксплуатационных расходов, связанных с программами, доступными жителям и гостям округа King, включая заработную плату персонала, коммунальные услуги, расходные материалы, сборы и услуги. Некоммерческие организации округа King, основной целью которых является развитие и сохранение искусства, культурно-исторического наследия или науки и технологий, имеют право подать заявку на участие в программе «Постоянная поддержка».
4Culture — уполномоченный орган округа King по распределению нового, увеличенного бюджета, выделенного согласно закону Doors Open, принятому в декабре 2023 года. Это финансирование позволило увеличить бюджет программы Sustained Support до 24 млн долл. США в текущем цикле. Минимум 25 % всего финансирования в рамках закона Doors Open выделяется организациям за пределами Сиэтла.
Хотя обычно Sustained Support выделяет средства на проекты длительностью более двух лет, в этом программном цикле финансирование будет выделено только на один год. Следующий двухлетний цикл, 2026–2027 гг., начнется осенью 2025 г. Крайний срок подачи заявок: 4 сентября 2024 года, 17:00 (по тихоокеанскому летнему времени). Решения о присуждении контрактов огласят в декабре 2024 года, а заключение контрактов начнется в январе 2025 года.
Мы готовы вам помочь! Если у вас имеются вопросы относительно программы, обратитесь к Fundisha Tibebe, руководителю отдела операционной поддержки программы Doors Open («Открытые двери»), 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 или позвоните по телефону (206) 296-7580, либо TTY 711. Мы предоставим вам необходимую поддержку.
Soomaali (Somali)
Iyadoo ah qayb ka mid barnaamijka deeqda ee 4Culture, barnaamijka Sustained Support (Barnaamijka Taageerada Waarta) wuxuu bixin doonaa maalgelin aan xadidnayn oo hal sano ah si loo daboolo baahiyaha maalinlaha ah ee arrimaha farshaxanka, ilaalinta farshaxanka, hidaha, iyo ururada aan faa’iido doonka ahayn ee ku shaqeeya arrimaha sayniska iyo tignoolajiyada. Waxaad deeqda u isticmaali kartaa in aad ku bixiso kharashyada hawlaha kala duwan ee la xidhiidha sida ay barnaamijyada u heli lahaayeen dadka degan King County iyo dadka soo booqda oo ay ku jiraan mushaarka shaqaalaha, yutiilitida adeegyada muhiimka ah, agabka, khidmadaha, iyo adeegyada kale. Ururada aan faa’iido doonka ahayn ee uu fadhigoodu yahay King County oo 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 deeqda Sustained Support.
4Culture waa wakaaladda ay King County u magacaawday si ay u qaybiso maalgalin cusub oo la kordhiyay oo diyaar ah taasi oo ay suurta galisay sharciga barnaamijka Doors Open, oo la ansixiyay Diseembar 2023. Maalgelintani waxay barnaamijka Taageerada Waarta ku kordhisay ilaa $24 milyan oo wareeggan ah. Ugu yaraan 25% ee dhammaan maalgelinta barnaamijka Doors Open ayaa ku bixin doontaa ururada ka baxsan gudaha magaalada Seattle.
Iyadoo barnaamijka Taageerada Waarta uu badanaa bixiyo lacagaha muddo laba sano ah, barnaamijka wareegan wuxuu bixin doonaa maalgelin hal sano oo keliya. Wareegga labada sano ee soo socda, 2026-2027, wuxuu bilaaban doonaa marka la gaaro xilliga dayrta ee 2025. Wakhtiga kama dambaysta ah ee la codsanayo waa Sebteember 4, 2024, saacada markay 5:00 galabnimo ee xilliga PDT. Ku Dhawaaqista go’aamada abaalmarinta waxaa lagu dhawaaqi doonaa Diiseembar 2024, qandaraaskuna wuxuu bilaaban doonaa Janaayo 2025.
Waxaan diyaar u nahay inaan ku caawino! Fadlan kala xiriir Fundisha Tibebe, Maareeyaha Taageerada Howlgelinta Barnaamijka Doors Open haddi aa qabto wax su’aalo ah oo ku saabsan barnaamijkan.
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 ama wac (206) 296-7580 ama TTY 711, waxaana xaqiijin doonnaa inaad hesho taageerada aad u baahan tahay.
Español (Spanish)
Como extensión del programa principal de subvenciones de 4Culture, el programa Sustained Support (Apoyo continuo) proporcionará financiación sin restricciones durante un año para cubrir las necesidades cotidianas de las organizaciones sin fines de lucro relacionadas con las artes, la conservación, el patrimonio y la ciencia y la tecnología. Puede utilizar esta subvención para distintos gastos de funcionamiento relacionados con programas accesibles a los residentes y visitantes del condado de King, como salarios del personal, servicios públicos, suministros, tasas y servicios. Las organizaciones sin fines de lucro con sede en el condado de King cuyo objetivo principal sea la promoción y preservación del arte, la conservación histórica, el patrimonio o la ciencia y la tecnología pueden postularse para el programa Sustained Support.
4Culture es la agencia designada por el condado de King para distribuir la nueva y ampliada financiación que ha sido posible gracias a la legislación sobre Doors Open, aprobada en diciembre de 2023. Esta financiación ha permitido aumentar el presupuesto del programa Sustained Support a $24 millones para este ciclo. Se destinará un mínimo del 25 % del total de la financiación de Doors Open a organizaciones que se encuentren fuera de la ciudad de Seattle.
Si bien Sustained Support tradicionalmente concede fondos durante dos años, este ciclo del programa solo concederá fondos durante un año. El próximo ciclo de dos años, para 2026-2027, volverá en otoño de 2025. La fecha límite para postularse es el 4 de septiembre de 2024, a las 5:00 p. m. (hora del Pacífico). Las decisiones de adjudicación se anunciarán en diciembre de 2024 y las contrataciones comenzará en enero de 2025.
¡Estamos para ayudar! Si tiene preguntas, comuníquese con la administradora del Doors Open Operating Support Program (programa de apoyo operativo de Doors Open), Fundisha Tibebe, escribiendo a .
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 o llame al (206) 296-7580 o TTY 711, y nos aseguraremos de que reciba la ayuda que necesita.
Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
Một phần mới của chương trình tài trợ hàng đầu của 4Culture, Hỗ Trợ Bền Vững sẽ cung cấp nguồn tài trợ không hạn chế trong một năm để đáp ứng nhu cầu thường ngày của các tổ chức phi lợi nhuận về nghệ thuật, bảo tồn, di sản và khoa học 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 mà cư dân và du khách của Quận King có thể tiếp cận, bao gồm trả lương nhân viên, tiện ích, vật tư, các loại phí và dịch vụ. Các tổ chức phi lợi nhuận có trụ sở tại Quận King có mục đích chính là phát triển và bảo tồn nghệ thuật, bảo tồn lịch sử, di sản hoặc khoa học công nghệ đều đủ điều kiện đăng ký chương trình Hỗ Trợ Bền Vững.
4Culture là cơ quan được Quận King chỉ định để phân phối nguồn tài trợ mới, tăng dần nhờ luật Mở Cửa, được thông qua vào tháng 12 năm 2023. Khoản tài trợ này đã nâng kinh phí của chương trình Hỗ Trợ Bền Vững lên $24 triệu cho vòng này. Ít nhất 25% tổng số tiền tài trợ Mở Cửa sẽ được chuyển đến các tổ chức bên ngoài thành phố Seattle.
Trong khi chương trình Hỗ Trợ Bền Vững theo truyền thống sẽ cấp vốn trong hai năm, thì chu kỳ của chương trình này sẽ chỉ cấp vốn trong một năm. Chu kỳ hai năm tiếp theo, 2026-2027, sẽ quay trở lại vào mùa thu năm 2025. Hạn chót nộp đơn đăng ký là ngày 4 tháng 9 năm 2024, lúc 5:00 chiều theo giờ PDT. Các quyết định trao tài trợ sẽ được công bố vào tháng 12 năm 2024 và hợp đồng sẽ bắt đầu vào tháng 1 năm 2025.
Chúng tôi luôn sẵn sàng hỗ trợ! Làm ơn liên hệ với Fundisha Tibebe, Giám Đốc Doors Open Operating Support Program (Chương Trình Hỗ Trợ Hoạt Động Mở Cửa) tại nếu có câu hỏi 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 hoặc gọi (206) 296-7580 hoặc TTY 711 và chúng tôi sẽ hỗ trợ những gì quý vị cần.
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After You Submit
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After You Submit
Timeline
Organizations that plan to apply must save a draft application by Wednesday, August 27 at 5:00 pm PST to allow 4Culture staff to complete an eligibility pre-screening for this grant. Final applications must be submitted by Wednesday, September 10 at 5:00 pm PST. The application link will not be available to organizations to start an application after August 27 at 5:00 pm PST.
Most 4Culture funding decisions take approximately four months from application deadline to when we announce awards. We will notify you about the status of your application on or before December 31, 2025. Contracting will begin in January 2026.
Selection Process
We make all funding decisions through peer panels of arts, heritage, historic preservation, and science and technology professionals, who evaluate all eligible applications based on the above criteria and Geographic and Equity Investment. Panelists are different every year and work in a variety of disciplines, which may differ from your own. Keep this in mind as you write your application.
4Culture staff facilitates the panel process but does not score applications or influence the outcome. The panel meets to discuss and recommend applications for funding and then 4Culture’s Advisory Committee and Board then approve the final list of awards.
Award amounts are based on several elements:
- Organization’s budget size.
- Panel score.
- Additional funds for organizations that meet Geographic and Equity Investment criteria.
The panel’s award recommendations are then sent to the Arts Advisory Committee for review, and then onto 4Culture’s Board for final approval. The entire process, from application deadline to final award notification, takes three to four months.
Contracts and Payment
If your organization is selected for funding, your 4Culture grant manager will work with you to create a contract which may include drafting a custom Public Benefit statement for each consecutive year. Successful applicants working with a Fiscal Sponsor will release their award contract to the Fiscal Sponsor to manage, and the Fiscal Sponsor will provide funds for the awarded program based on the agreement you have with them. Organizations that receive Sustained Support funding will have the opportunity to request payment two times per year
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.
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Apply
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Apply
IMPORTANT: organizations that plan to apply must save a draft application by Wednesday, August 27 at 5:00 pm PST to allow 4Culture staff to complete an eligibility pre-screening for this grant. Final applications must be submitted by Wednesday, September 10 at 5:00 pm PST. The application link will not be available to organizations to start an application after August 27 at 5:00 pm PST.
Once you’ve started your application, you can save after each step and sign out—your application will be saved as a draft that you can continue to work on up to the deadline. Once you hit “Submit,” your application is final. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions during the process.
There are three main steps to submit your application materials. You must complete all of the components of these steps to be considered for this grant.
- Request an organization account on 4Culture’s grant portal and complete your Account Profile, or, update your existing organization account. You will apply through our online grant portal system at apply.4culture.org.
- Returning: If you have applied for a 4Culture grant before, confirm that you still have log-in access, and that your organization has answered all the questions under “Organization Accounts Only.”
- New: you will need to create an account before you can access the application. Creating a new organization account may take 1-2 business days for your account to be active.
- Please note: the email address of the person who submits your application will be the primary e-mail address for future communications about your organization’s Sustained Support grant.
- If you are using a fiscal sponsor to apply for this grant, you must have prior approval by 4Culture staff. You will need to indicate if you are applying with a Fiscal Sponsor in your application, and 4Culture will review both you and your fiscal sponsor’s eligibility to receive funding. Please review our Fiscal Sponsorship page.
- Save a Draft Application by Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. PST.
- Submit the Full Application on the online grant portal no later than 5:00 p.m. PST on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. This application is what will be reviewed by the peer panel.
When you are logged in, make sure that you are applying to the correct program by selecting the Sustained Support Application. Save a draft by completing the required fields or by using temporary text. Once you click “submit,” your application is considered complete and ready for review.
We highly recommend drafting your application in a separate document (e.g. using the application worksheet, a Word document, Google document, etc.). Don’t forget to submit the additional materials as part of your full application.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions during the process.
What’s in the Application
The following materials are required for this application cycle. We strongly recommend assembling them before you login and begin your application.
Narrative Questions in the Sustained Support Application Form
Discipline-Focused Services and Public Programming: please describe your organization’s services and public programming. For example:
- How do your organization’s services and public programs help advance your mission and strategic goals?
- Share at least one example of a public program or service you produced in the last two years that you are most proud of and why.
- How does this programming align with your chosen primary discipline selected in your application (arts, heritage, historic preservation, or science & technology)?
Please note: panelists will review the Programs/Events/Activities List below, in conjunction with this narrative question to evaluate the Discipline-focused Services and Public Programming criterion.
Public Benefit: please describe your public benefits – defined in program guidelines as “including but not limited to, reduced cost or free admission, events, programs, or services offered to members of the public to increase access to arts/heritage/historic preservation/science and technology experiences in King County.” These may be ongoing, or specific to 2026/2027. Please note: these Public Benefit examples may be utilized in the language of your contract, if awarded.
Community Engagement and Impact: please describe your organization’s community engagement and impact. For example:
- Describe your community as it pertains to your organization’s members, visitors, and/or the audiences you reach.
- How does your community access your programs and services?
- How do your programs/events/activities demonstrate your organization’s responsiveness to community needs/interests? Examples of this may include access to content and/or improved access for historically underserved communities and/or disabled communities.
Please note: panelists will review the Economic Impact questions, in conjunction with this narrative question, to evaluate the Community Engagement and Impact criterion.
Advancing Equity: please describe your organization’s efforts in advancing equity. For example:
- Does your organization focus on or take well-considered measures towards serving historically marginalized communities, especially communities that are disproportionately impacted by structural racism (e.g. serving Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, engaging BIPOC leaders within a community, etc.)?
- Describe existing efforts, partnerships, collaborations, projects, or programs your organization is involved with that engage historically marginalized communities.
- For Science & Technology organizations, please share more about how you serve communities historically and currently underrepresented in scientific fields and denied the benefits of scientific research. This can include, but is not limited to your work with women, LGBTQ+, persons with disabilities, Black, Latine/x, and Native communities.
Complete this question to the best of your ability and in alignment with what your organization’s readiness to engage in and share your equity work. If these questions do not apply to your organization, you may simply state so. The answer to this question is not a requirement to be eligible for funding. However, panelists will review your response to evaluate the Advancing Equity criterion, and your response will be considered in determining Equity Investments.
Management and Sustainability: please describe your organization’s management and sustainability efforts. For example:
- Please share the goals for your organization’s internal operations in 2026 and over the next two to three years. These might reflect your organization’s ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances; how they were informed by best practices in your field; and/or reflect staff, volunteer, board, and/or community involvement.
- We understand organizations have a multitude of operational needs. Can you please share what financial needs your organization is currently experiencing and how this grant can potentially support these efforts? This might include pay for staff salaries, rent, or mortgage payments, etc.
Please note: panelists will review the Organizational Board List, in conjunction with this narrative question, to evaluate the Management and Sustainability criterion. It is important for 4Culture funding that your organization has a decision-making body that is part of your organizational structure. Please refer to the guidelines for more information.
Public Benefit: General, Equity Inclusion, and Geographic Inclusion
Please select up to three General Public Benefits and up to three Equity Inclusion and Geographic Inclusion Public Benefits your organization provides throughout the year. If you are awarded funding, these public benefits may appear in your contract; only select the public benefits on which you would like to report.
Economic Impact
Your organization stimulates the local economy through spending on wages, goods, services; promoting tourism and visitor-related spending at local businesses; and contributions to community well-being and quality of life, which have indirect economic benefits. The following measurable figures help demonstrate your direct economic impact.
- Enter the number of full-time equivalent staff (FTE) your organization employed in your last fiscal year. _____
Please only include staff that receive either salary or hourly pay; individuals receiving stipends should not be included. This number should reflect the full-time employment equivalency, not the total number of staff. For example, two (2) staff who work ½ time = 1.0 FTE. - Enter total earned revenues from the last complete fiscal year. Include mission-based events, programs, ticket sales, and membership. Do NOT include contributed revenue, such as grants or donations.
- Enter the percentage of your in-person attendees who are visitors to King County.
- How did you determine the percentage of in-person attendees who travel from outside King County (either option is acceptable)? Attendee Verification/Organization Estimates
Required Support Materials in the Sustained Support Application Form
Programs/Events/Primary Activities list: please submit a list of your organization’s primary programs, events, and/or activities from the last 12 months. Please include date or date range, location, and attendance. This list is not meant to be all inclusive. Instead, please share a range of programs/events/activities that best represent the narrative sections in your application and items you want to highlight for the panel review.
Organizational Board List: you must submit a list of your organization’s board members, their terms, and their employment or community affiliation in this section of the application.
Additional components to complete your Account Organization Profile
Make sure you have completed these components BEFORE submitting your application, if you have not completed these components your application is considered INCOMPLETE.
Demographic Information: your organization profile in our application portal must provide demographic information for your board and staff for the current year. We use this information to help us understand how well we are doing in our efforts to reach all communities in King County. Read our privacy policy for information about how we protect your information. Your application is not complete if your demographic information is not updated for the current year.
Not sure how to complete your demographics information? Watch a tutorial video on how to complete your organization’s demographic survey. Substitulos en Español | 中文字幕（繁體)
Financial Information: your organization profile in our application portal must provide your organization’s most recent IRS 990 form. Make certain it is up to date and confirm the accuracy of your address. If you have never provided us with this information, please include your two-three most recent years (2022, 2023, and 2024). If you do not file IRS 990, please use the financial information you have to complete the form in the portal.
Not sure how to find your organization’s 990? Watch this tutorial video. Substitulos en Español | 中文字幕（繁體)