
By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
The Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED) has announced their opening of the 2023 Only in Seattle Initiative (OIS) grants. Through the OIS grants, OED will invest $1.2 million to support community driven economic development projects with a focus on racial equity and social justice.
Neighborhood-based nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply for grants up to $200,000 to fund projects that will help provide resources to local businesses, strengthen neighborhoods and build community partnerships throughout Seattle.
“Seattle’s neighborhood business districts are not only essential economic drivers, but they also make up the heart and soul of our communities,” said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “By investing in community-driven projects that center on equity and social justice, the Only in Seattle initiative will help revitalize our commercial cores and build resilient, vibrant neighborhoods where small businesses can grow and thrive.”
According to officials, the OIS Initiative will construct an equitable and vibrant environment by investing in neighborhood business districts that are centers of community, culture and local commerce. From real estate development, litter cleanup, murals, community festivals, business coaching and outreach, OIS grants allow neighborhood businesses to apply multiple strategies simultaneously to affect desired neighborhood improvements and revitalization. The OIS initiative supports activities such as:
• Organizing – creating and strengthening nonprofit organizations that can collaborate and work on neighborhood based economic development action plans
• Marketing & Events – marketing strategies and events that bring customers to business districts and create a positive, consistent image of neighborhoods.
• Business Development – helping local businesses stay and grow in the neighborhood
• Neighborhood Improvements– Improving the physical appearance and features of neighborhood business districts, such as parking, public spaces, transportation access, beautification.
• Clean & Safe – Projects that focus on keeping neighborhood business districts clean, and customers, employees, and visitors feel safe and welcome.
“The Only in Seattle grant program has been instrumental in neighborhood wide efforts to support our small businesses and helping to bring positive change to our community,” said Chris Leverson, Project Manager for Build Lake City Together. “From support for our business incubator program, activating public spaces in our commercial district, and directly service to our small business owners, the initiative continues to be critical to many of our Lake City successes.”
The OIS RFP has three options for applications:
• Organizing: Proposals to create and/or strengthen neighborhood-based business district organizations, or outreach activities to create action plans for a particular business district
• Short Term Projects: Proposals for one-time funding for neighborhoods that have a local organization such as a chamber of commerce, Business Improvement Area, community development organization, or other similar group that supports the business district and have a current action plan.
• Current Only in Seattle Partner Projects: Proposals for additional funding to support ongoing projects.
Applicants can be business organizations, community organizations, cultural districts, consultants, or a group of individuals that support neighborhood business district strategies. If an applicant does not meet all eligibility requirements, they can have a sponsor organization (fiscal sponsor) accept and manage the grant on their behalf.
OED Director Markham McIntyre says that investing in business leadership across the region can strengthen organizational efforts to help neighborhoods and businesses tell their stories and thrive.
“Seattle is a collection of incredible neighborhoods,” says McIntyre. “Every neighborhood, from Othello to Northgate, from West Seattle to Capitol Hill and all points in between, has a story to tell and businesses to show off. Through the “Only in Seattle” initiative, OED invests in organizations and leaders across Seattle to lift up their efforts that help our neighborhoods thrive.”
OED will accept applications for the OIS initiative in two phases:
Phase 1: Current Only in Seattle contracted partners can submit applications from September 20, 2022, through October 18, 2022.
Phase 2: New applicants can apply from September 29, 2022, through October 31, 2022.
All applications are due by 5 p.m. and must be submitted through the Fluxx application portal. All eligible and complete applications will be reviewed and individually scored using a selection criterion by a review committee. Applications must be submitted in English; however, bilingual staff are available to answer questions and help applicants complete the application. To request translation or interpretation services, please call (206) 684-8090.
In addition, OED will host two information sessions to explain the program and answer questions:
Virtual: Friday, September 30, 2022, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
In person: Friday, October 14, 2022, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Douglas-Truth Library – 2300 E Yesler Way, Seattle, WA 98122.