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Summer Experiences and Enrichment for Kids FundWashington Funding Opportunity for Outdoor Kids Programs
The Washington Recreation & Park Association (WRPA), in collaboration with the Association of Washington Cities (AWC), is excited and proud to announce a $10 million funding program. This program is administered by AWC and made possible by funds provided to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and it will enable local parks and recreation agencies throughout our state to expand summer outdoor education programs offered to school-aged kids! The “Summer Experiences & Enrichment for Kids” (SEEK) program is for summer outdoor programs serving school-aged youth (K-12 – age 4-21). The purpose of the SEEK Fund is to increase access to quality, outdoor summer programming for youth and communities who have historically been underserved and who have been most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 2022 SEEK Fund Application is now closed.
SEEK Fund DetailsThe purpose of the SEEK Fund is to help agencies increase their community's access to quality, outdoor summer programming for youth and communities who have historically been underserved and who have been most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible programs should address students’ social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs through outdoor recreation. The 2022 funding cycle will cover reimbursements for a summer program (summer being defined as the time between April 15—September 15, 2022). Agencies that receive funding must prioritize activities or programs that promote social connection, encourage physical activity, and support families who are struggling with childcare needs. Total funding available in the 2022 cycle is approximately $10 million. SEEK Fund Informational MeetingThank you for joining us online at the SEEK Fund 2022 Cycle Informational Meeting.
RSVP Todaytop SEEK Fund EligibilityThere have been some changes to the eligibility criteria for the 2022 SEEK Fund Cycle. Please review the details below. Eligible applicants include local government park and recreation agencies from Washington State:
Eligible agencies may submit up to three applications (one application per program) not to exceed $500,000 in total applications amounts.
Note: Capital construction or equipment purchases exceeding $5,000 per unite are not eligible. AWC & WRPA reserves the right to revise the funding opportunity criteria or not to award any funding through the SEEK Funding program should program requirements change. How to Apply for a SEEK Fund2022 SEEK Fund Application is now closed. SEEK Fund Evaluation ProcessApplications will be scored and evaluated with similar population range applicants. An advisory committee will evaluate and score all applications to determine which projects will be recommended for funding. Scores will be based on each applicant's response to evaluation questions and any necessary Q&A/Interview follow-ups. Final awards are subject to approval by AWC and OSPI.
Applications will be scored and evaluated with similar population range applicants. Scores will be based on each applicant's response to evaluation questions. Below is a list of the 2022 SEEK Fund Advisory Committee Members:
Receiving SEEK Fund MoniesAll funds will be distributed on a reimbursement basis. Fund recipients will only be able to request reimbursement after they have paid their employees and vendors and reported on their use of funds. When a project/program is completed, awardees must submit the final bill, final report, and supporting documents needed to close out the project as specified in the agreement. AWC & WRPA reserve the right to revise the funding opportunity criteria or not to award any funding through the SEEK Fund program should the program requirements change. Please review the required subcontractor agreement you will need to abide by. Subcontractor Funding AgreementSEEK Fund AccessibilityTo best serve school-aged youth, WRPA and the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) will strive to ensure that funds are allocated to a diverse group of jurisdictions of all sizes that are geographically spread across the state. Additionally, the program emphasizes targeting funds toward programs that serve school-age youth populations most impacted by COVID-19 and furthest from educational justice. Funding is for programs that prioritize activities that promote students connecting socially with their classmates, encourage students to engage in physical activity, and support families who have struggled with childcare needs. Important Guidance on the Funds Being OfferedFunding must be used to prioritize activities or programs that serve school-aged kids who have been impacted by COVID-19 and “Promote students connecting socially with their classmates, Encourage students to engage in physical activity, and Support families who have struggled with childcare needs.” The program goal is to reach school-aged kids who have not traditionally had opportunities and access to these summer outdoor education programs in the past. As an example, the program calls out major racial and ethnic groups; economically disadvantaged students; children with disabilities; children with limited English proficiency; immigrant students; students experiencing homelessness; and children/youth in foster care. Applicants will be required to report data on the youth served and how the funding was used to enhance participation particularly for underserved and pandemic impacted youth and the ways in which programs will remove institutional and systematic barriers to participation. All awardees will be required to enter into a subcontractor funding agreement with AWC. Prior to applying, agencies should review this agreement and confirm that they can enter into it as is. AWC will not accept modifications to the agreement.
For more information about the WRPA SEEK Fund contact the WRPA office at (206)361-8869 or [email protected] |
