Request For Proposals

Can current grantees apply for this RFP?

Yes, current grantees are welcome to apply.

Can new programs apply for this RFP?

Only programs that have been in operation for a minimum of three years are eligible to apply.

We have applied for 501(c)(3) status but haven’t been granted status yet. Do we have to be a 501(c)(3) at the time of application?

Yes, we require that organizations have their 501(c)(3) status or be fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) to be considered for this opportunity.

If we plan to partner with a Washington non-profit as a fiscal responsibility, do we need a letter of commitment from the partner at the time of submitting the LOI?

Not for the LOI, but if invited for a proposal, we would require a formal letter of commitment or MOU.

Can 501(c)(3) organizations outside of WA apply?

Nonprofit organizations operating outside of Washington are welcome to apply as long as all of the work you are requesting funding for takes place within Washington state and serves Washington youth (ages 13-26).

Can proposed projects take place outside Washington State?

Proposed efforts must take place in Washington State.

Would a program seeking to work at a state or federal level be eligible?

If the program is serving Washington State youth, with ambitions to scale, we consider this within the scope of the RFP.

Can a community-based non-profit use a fiscal sponsor if they don’t have tax exemption status?

Yes, community-based organizations with a fiscal sponsor that meets the eligibility criteria are welcome to apply.

Is there a minimum budget amount for the organization applying for the grant?

No, there is no minimum or maximum organizational budget size for organizations applying for this opportunity.

Can multiple organizations apply together?

We will consider funding for proposals that include collaboration between multiple organizations; however, projects seeking to make pass-through grants will not be considered.

Can schools, districts, and universities apply?

We are only looking for programs offered out-of-school time. We therefore will not accept LOIs from academic institutions. School programs that deliver arts education curriculum in the classroom and/or leverage external arts learning opportunities during schooltime (i.e., field trips) are also not eligible to apply.

What types of creative youth development programs are eligible to apply?

Programs that offer arts curriculum for groups of youth participants for a duration appropriate for the artistic discipline or cultural tradition and level of instruction delivered are eligible for this RFP.

We are not accepting LOIs from programs that offer individual, private student instruction, one-time or drop-in services, or those operating without an arts and/or cultural tradition curriculum.

We serve youth between 13-26 but also youth outside that age range, are we still eligible to apply?

We wouldn’t necessarily disqualify those who serve youth outside of our priority age range, however we are prioritizing programs that directly serve youth between 13-26.

Is there a minimum number of youth you're looking for organizations to serve?

Ideally, programs should serve at least six youth between 13-26. However, we are interested in learning about who you serve and at what scale, and how you intend to/think about growing your program in your context.

Is there a preferred size of project?

We are open to whatever scale the applicant feels is most appropriate

What can funding be used for?

This RFP opportunity will fund program-related costs. Grantees are to propose how they would use funding to support the goals of this RFP and of their intended work. These are not unrestricted funds and should be tied to specific programmatic goals and activities. We do not want to prescribe how funds will be used and are eager to understand how prospective grantees will optimize funds to grow their learning and impact. Indirect costs of up to 10% of your proposed budget will be considered. We will not fund capital costs and cannot fund lobbying or direct political activities as a part of this RFP.

Is there a limit on indirect costs?

Indirect costs may be included in the up to $500k request and will be considered for up to 10% of the total proposed project budget. (For example, a $500k request comprising $450k in program costs and $50k in indirect costs.)

What would be considered an indirect cost?

The U.S. Economic Development Administration defines indirect costs as “costs incurred by an organization that are not readily identifiable with a particular project or program but are nevertheless necessary to the operation of the organization and the performance of its programs.” Examples of indirect costs include depreciation, administrative salaries, and the costs of operating and maintaining facilities (e.g., rent, utilities, IT).

Why is the indirect cost rate only 10%?

We’ve included an indirect cost rate of 10% to be in alignment with peer funders.

Can monitoring and evaluation costs be included in the budget?

Yes, if monitoring and evaluation are core components of the project’s objectives, please include appropriate costs in the budget. The ability to articulate impact and develop a measurement and learning plan is critical to this RFP.

Can applicants propose to offer stipends or honorariums to youth participants?

Yes, your budget may include reasonable stipends for youth participation in relation to your proposed project budget.

Are staff costs considered program costs or administrative/indirect costs?

This will depend upon the staff’s role/function. If they are program staff, focused on the project at hand, we consider that a direct cost. Direct costs would include those related expenses (program staff, program materials, student stipends, etc.) However, staff such as a finance manager would be considered an indirect cost because they may contribute to the overall project budget oversight, compliance, and/or reporting process.

Can funding be used for re-granting purposes?

For this RFP, we are not accepting proposals from organizations that re-grant or offer pass-through funding. We’re looking to partner with community-based organizations that provide direct services.

Can funding be allocated to multiple organizations?

No, we ask that applicants have a lead organization that will be responsible for disbursing funds to partner/collaborating community-based organizations.

Why is there an LOI and a proposal phase?

The LOI is meant to be a quick way to share your project idea with us to see if it meets our RFP criteria. Prospective grantees that, upon review, do meet our criteria will then be asked to submit a full proposal, where they will have the opportunity to speak to their proposed work in more detail.

What are the LOI and proposal questions?

LOI questions will be visible and downloadable via PDF once you register in Fluxx, our grants management system. Proposal questions will be made available to those invited to submit full proposals.

Is there a specific budget template that is required for the LOI?

No. One will be provided should you be invited to submit a proposal.

Is there a typical grant amount?

We will consider proposals for grant awards of up to $500,000 for each project, with a grant term of three years; we are considering funding 10-12 proposals.

What is the timeline for the RFP?

The RFP consists of an LOI stage and a proposal stage. The deadline for LOIs will be Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 12:00pm PST. The foundation will assess LOIs based on their eligibility and relevance to the RFP goals and considerations. On December 19, 2025, a subset of those who submitted LOIs will be invited to submit a full proposal. Full proposals will be due in early February 2026 and evaluated by a panel of independent external experts. The internal review will inform funding awards and we anticipate awards being made and announced in Q2 of 2026.

Who is on the expert panel that will be involved in reviewing full proposals?

We have a broad group of experts on the foundation’s external review panel with experience across creative youth development, including working directly with young people, running organizations that serve artists, youth, and communities, and leading research in the field. The panel includes those with statewide expertise – from across the state – as well as those with a national perspective.

When will funding be disbursed, and on what cadence?

The anticipated initial distribution is Q2 2026, with annual payments across 2026, 2027, and 2028.

What application should I use to complete the PDF template as part of the LOI application? Do you have any tips?

• We recommend using Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is free. If you don’t have Acrobat Reader, here are a few alternative applications:

  • If you’re on a Windows computer, the Edge browser allows you to open, edit, and save changes to a PDF file.

  • If you’re on a Mac, use the Preview application.

• After you save your changes and close the PDF, we suggest reopening it to verify your changes were saved prior to uploading it to the LOI application.

I have entered my Fluxx login password multiple times, but it is not allowing me to login.

• Initiate a password reset by following these steps

  • Navigate to https://allenphilanthropies.fluxx.io/user_sessions/new and click on the “Forgot Password” link?

  • Enter in the email address used as your Fluxx login. Click on the submit button.

  • Please retrieve the email and click on the Reset Password button from there.

  • It will then prompt you to enter a new password and confirm your new password.

  • Click on the Set Password and Login button.

  • Note: After 7 failed logon attempts, the Fluxx system will lock your account. Please contact fluxxhelp@allenphilanthropies.org for assistance.

I have started the Creative Youth Development Across Washington State application, but I am unable to see the entire application.

You must confirm and answer the eligibility question listed under the Eligibility Criteria section.

I am unable to change the project duration to another value other than “36”

The 36-month duration is a requirement for this RFP and cannot be changed.

I have started the RFP application but haven’t completed it. Can I save and work on it later?

Yes. If you have started the application, simply select the Save and Close button located at the bottom. When you wish to resume, simply navigate to the Drafts menu located on the left menu pane in Fluxx. There you will find the RFP application listed as Draft. Select the Edit button to resume.

When selecting Organization Information menu in Fluxx, it is blank with no information.

Once your application has been submitted, Allen Family Philanthropies will process and connect the request (application) to your organization. Your organization information will then be displayed.

Who do I contact for technical Fluxx support?

Fluxxhelp@allenphlianthropies.org

How is this initiative funded?

This work is funded by Allen Family Philanthropies, a private foundation.

Has Allen Family Philanthropies had a similar creative youth development RFP in the past? Will you do it again?

This is the first opportunity of this kind from the foundation. We stay open to new ideas and opportunities for future RFPs that are based on the community’s needs.

Will you provide reviewer comments on the LOI or proposal?

No, given the volume of submissions we are unable to provide direct feedback on LOIs or proposals.

Does it make more sense to apply for just 1 year of our program, versus 2 or 3 years?

We are only funding 3-year programs. We hope to bring our cohort of grantees together for collective learning and relationship building opportunities during that time.   

Are you interested in being the sole funder, or would you prefer to support a portion of costs?

We encourage proposals with co-funding (committed or planned). If we would potentially be the sole funder, we will want to understand your plans for sustainability within the LOI.