ADA Equal Access Grant

The 2019 Legislature appropriated $1,000,000 of the state building construction account solely for equal access grants for facility repairs and alterations at K-12 public schools, including skill centers, to improve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA).

CTE Equipment Grant Program

The 2019 Legislature appropriated $1,000,000 for districts to purchase and install career and technical education equipment that expands work-integrated learning opportunities.

Drinking Water Fixture Replacement

iGrants Form Package 921: OSPI allocated $250,000 of the Legislature apportionment for Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools solely for replacement of drinking water fixtures that test positive for detectable lead. Funds are only available to school districts that have had their drinking water tested by the Department of Health after January 2018. There is no maximum dollar value for a district or school request and there is no district leveraged or matching funds requirement. The grant program will not pay for in-house labor associated with removal of existing fixtures or installation of new fixtures.

There is no deadline for this grant application but an awarded school district must spend the full grant amount prior to June 30, 2021.

Emergency Repair Pool

The 2019 Legislature appropriated $2,000,000 solely to address unexpected and imminent health and safety hazards at K-12 public schools, including skill centers, that will impact the day-to-day operations of the school facility.

Healthy Kids-Healthy Schools Grants

The 2019 Legislature appropriated $3,250,000  to help schools remove barriers to improving student health and nutrition.

K-3 Class Size Reduction Grants (closed)

The 2015 Legislature provided $200 million in competitive grant capital funds that school districts can apply for to help achieve progress towards class size reduction and all-day Kindergarten goals.

Small Rural District Modernization Grants

The 2019 Legislature appropriated $19.8 million to assist small school districts with significant building deficiencies. This grant is limited to school districts with total enrollments of one thousand students or less.

STEM Grants (closed)

The 2018 Washington State Legislature appropriated $10 million in capital funding for STEM Capital Grants (SSB6090 Section 5005). Funds will be used to construct classrooms or labs, as additions to existing school buildings, or to modernize specialized STEM facilities.

Urgent Repair Grants

The 2019 Legislature appropriated $3,000,000 for urgent repair grants to address nonrecurring, urgent repair projects at K-12 public schools, excluding skill centers, that could impact the health and safety of students and staff.

External Funding Resources

Energy Efficiency and Solar Grant Program

The state Department of Commerce manages an energy efficiency and solar grant fund program for energy and operational cost savings at state public higher education institutions, local government facilities, state agencies and kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) public school districts. Grant funds are provided through the state capital budget. This program is awarded through a competitive process.

Impact Aid Construction Grants (Sec. 8007)

Section 8007(a) provides formula grants to the local school districts based on the number of eligible federally connected children they educate. Section 8007(b) provides competitive grants for emergency repairs and modernization.

DSIRE: Incentives for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

DSIRE is a free and open resource, providing valuable information on thousands of policies and incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency across the states. You can also contact your local utility direct for specific utility incentives in your area.

Local Option Capital Asset Lending (LOCAL)

School districts can finance equipment or real estate needs through the State Treasurer's office LOCAL program. LOCAL loans are subject to existing debt limitations and financial considerations. The LOCAL program is simple and provides very low cost financing.

School Bond Guarantee Program

Provides credit enhancement to voter-approved general obligation bonds issued by a school district.

Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECB)

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 expanded the funding for the Qualified Energy Conservation Bond program. Washington State Department of Commerce will be allocating authority for approximately $68 million of bonds through this program.

USDA Rural Developments Loans and Grants

This program offers both loans and grants for community facilities for public use in rural areas.

Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB)

Provides interest-free bonds for facility repair, and renovation also technology and teacher curricula.

Options to Acquire or Lease State Trust Lands

State trust lands are managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to benefit specific beneficiaries.