Youth Development Program

Best Starts for Kids has announced the opening of the Youth Development Request for Proposals (RFP), which aims to enhance the mental health and well-being of young people in King County, Washington. This funding opportunity is designed to provide youth with support systems that foster a sense of belonging, connection, and resilience. The primary strategies supported through this RFP include mentoring, youth leadership and engagement, activities that promote positive identity development, and healthy and safe relationships. These strategies align with mental health support, domestic and intimate partner violence prevention, and peer-to-peer support. Competitive proposals will emphasize youth involvement in planning, implementation, and evaluation and will address disparities affecting specific youth populations.

This opportunity is open to nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, tribes and tribal organizations, for-profit entities, and public or governmental agencies that serve communities in King County. Small nonprofits and community-based organizations are particularly encouraged to apply. Eligible applicants should demonstrate experience and alignment with the outlined strategies, as well as a commitment to youth-centered programming.

Best Starts for Kids has allocated approximately $12,000,000 in funding for this initiative. The maximum award amount for a single applicant is $400,000. Funds must be used to implement the strategies outlined in the RFP, and proposals should clearly define how they will support youth development through these initiatives.

The application process follows a structured timeline. The RFP was issued on March 3, 2025, with two information sessions scheduled for March 6 and March 13, 2025, to help interested applicants understand the funding opportunity. The final date to submit technical assistance requests and questions is April 4, 2025. Applications are due by April 15, 2025, at 2:00 PM Pacific Time. The review process will take place from April 18 to May 12, 2025, with notifications of selection status anticipated in June 2025. Selected applicants are expected to begin their contracts in August 2025.

Organizations seeking assistance with their application can access free technical support through Best Starts for Kids. This support includes guidance on application fit, answering proposal questions, reviewing and editing applications, and ensuring clarity in presenting qualifications. Interested applicants can find further details on technical assistance by visiting the Best Starts for Kids website.