Protests against police brutality, especially in Black communities, spread across the United States and internationally after the death of George Floyd. Like in many cities, calls for racial justice and community-led solutions to ending violence, led by Black organizers allied with multi-racial and multi-cultural coalitions, echoed and converged with ongoing efforts in Seattle. Through this organizing, legislation to increase funding to reimagine community safety was passed in Seattle.
The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking applications from community-led groups working to end violence and to reimagine safety in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) led communities, with a specific focus on Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Pacific Islander, and Immigrant and Refugee communities. The purpose of this funding is to build the capacity of groups working toward community-led solutions to end violence and to increase safety.
The Community Safety Capacity Building RFP is investing approximately $10,400,000 in one-time funds for the contract period of July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022 and up to 40 proposals may be funded. All organizations working to create conditions for safety, including ending violence and reducing crime, are encouraged to apply, and priority will be given to Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Pacific Islander, and Immigrant and Refugee-led community groups, as they are most impacted by racism, systems of oppression, and harm from violence and the criminal legal system. Services must take place in Seattle. Technical assistance is available to support community-based organizations as they develop their proposals. Priority will be given to agencies led by the focus populations and organizations with an operating budget under $1,000,000.
Protests against police brutality, especially in Black communities, spread across the United States and internationally after the death of George Floyd. Like in many cities, calls for racial justice and community-led solutions to ending violence, led by Black organizers allied with multi-racial and multi-cultural coalitions, echoed and converged with ongoing efforts in Seattle. Through this organizing, legislation to increase funding to reimagine community safety was passed in Seattle.
The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking applications from community-led groups working to end violence and to reimagine safety in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) led communities, with a specific focus on Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Pacific Islander, and Immigrant and Refugee communities. The purpose of this funding is to build the capacity of groups working toward community-led solutions to end violence and to increase safety.
The Community Safety Capacity Building RFP is investing approximately $10,400,000 in one-time funds for the contract period of July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022 and up to 40 proposals may be funded. All organizations working to create conditions for safety, including ending violence and reducing crime, are encouraged to apply, and priority will be given to Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Pacific Islander, and Immigrant and Refugee-led community groups, as they are most impacted by racism, systems of oppression, and harm from violence and the criminal legal system. Services must take place in Seattle.
This Request for Proposals (RFP) is open to organizations that meet the standard HSD Agency Minimum Eligibility Requirements and any additional requirements outlined in Section IV of the Guidelines. If your organization does not meet the minimum eligibility requirements, obtaining a fiscal sponsor that does meet the requirements is allowable. Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) are allowed to apply in this RFP. In addition to sending it via traditional HSD funding opportunity channels, this information will be shared via network groups such as the Regional Gun Violence network, Gender Based Violence Network, etc. and through community organizing networks like the Black Brilliance Project (researchers have said they will circulate), Change Team caucuses, City RSJI initiative, and CANOES. It will also be shared through OCR, OIRA, and DON.
All organizations that meet the minimum qualifications will be interviewed. Interview questions and criteria will be provided at least one week prior to scheduled interviews.
HSD seeks to contract with a diverse group of providers to help ensure the result of this investment is that all people living in Seattle are free from violence. Completed application packets are due by 12:00 p.m., Noon on Friday, April 9, 2021.
For more information, and all RFP materials, please visit HSD’s Funding Opportunities web page: http://www.seattle.gov/humanservices/funding-and-reports/funding-opportunities. HSD will not provide individual notice of changes; and applicants are responsible for regularly checking the web page for updates, clarifications, or amendments.
Questions about this funding opportunity may be sent to Natalie Thomson, Funding Process Coordinator, by email at natalie.thomson@seattle.gov.
Technical Assistance
Based on feedback from stakeholders HSD is partnering with technical advisors, Kevin Baker, Baker Consulting and Yasmin Habib, Habib Consulting, to provide optional help sessions intended for community-based organizations to receive additional support as they develop their proposals.
Baker Consulting and Habib Consulting may assist by clarifying application and budget questions, thinking through proposal development ideas with applicants, and reviewing proposal drafts. Technical advisors will not write proposals for applicants.
Applicant help sessions may be scheduled by appointment between March 1 and April 5, 2021. Technical assistance will be conducted virtually. Applicants are strongly encouraged to schedule help session appointments as early as possible. A high volume of requests close to the application deadline will result in limited availability of the technical advisors. Should availability become limited, priority for the help session appointments will be given to organizations led by the focus populations and organizations with an operating budget under $1,000,000. To schedule your help session appointment, contact kevin@thebakerconsulting.com or habibconsultingllc@gmail.com using the subject line:”Requesting Help Session for Safety RFP.”