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Happy August, climate equity community!
We are sending our best to all the human and more-than-human communities impacted by the wildfires ranging in Spokane and the east and southeast parts of Washington/northeast parts of Oregon. This Indian Country Today article shares how Native nations and communities across Washington and Oregon have banded together to set up sites to donate and support families impacted by the fires. Also in the article are lists of supplies in high need and drop-off locations.
In this newsletter, we have an OPEN FUNDING announcement, a data center webinar, the King County Wildfire Safety Toolkit, additional grant opportunities, a King County Metro update for routes in South King County, and a job opening with the Washington State Department of Health.
Read on!
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 This quarter's newsletter is announcing the opening of our in-house King County DNRP Director's Office 2026-2027 Community Climate Resilience Grant. Visit our website and download our Grant Program Guide; technical/grant assistance is available by Novum Lux - request support: https://calendly.com/novum-lux/ccrg-ta-mtg. Application deadline is Friday, September 11, 2026 at 11:59PM.
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Data Centers 101: Climate and Environmental Justice
Hosted By: Front & Centered in partnership with the NW Energy Coalition (NWEC)
Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Time: 5:00 - 6:00 PM
Location: Zoom
Description: We’re hearing a lot about data centers and their growing impacts, but the narrative does not focus on how hyperscale data centers are also a climate and environmental justice concern, and how they impact several areas of our lives, including our health, access to energy, and our air, water, soil, and more.
Our aim in putting together this series in collaboration with NWEC is to increase public awareness and knowledge about the impacts we are seeing from hyperscale data centers on communities of color, Indigenous peoples, and low-income Washingtonians: folks who have historically been left out of decision-making processes, despite experiencing the impacts of unjust practices and policies first and worst.
BIPOC Wilderness First Aid Course
Hosted By: Braided Seeds, Washington Trails Association Outdoor Leadership Training, and Backcountry Pulse
Date: Friday, Sept 18 - Sunday, Sept 20, 2026; Registration opens on August 10, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Location: TBA (to be announced)
Description: Wilderness First Aid is an introductory wilderness medicine course appropriate for people of any experience level who spend time recreating in the outdoors. Taught over a period of three days, the course combines lectures, skill demonstrations, hands-on practices and multiple team-based wilderness medicine scenarios in an outdoor setting.
Washington Trails Association's Outdoor Leadership Training and Washington Trails Association's Outdoor Leadership Training program are excited to sponsor our 2026 BIPOC Wilderness First Aid course! We recognize that there is a lack of trainings that center Black, Indigenous and People of Color and look forward to having this opportunity available to help build community and relationships in the outdoors. This course will prioritize registration for Black, Indigenous and Latinx folks.
Participants will learn how to assess an injured or ill patient, how to recognize and administer first aid for common backcountry injuries and illnesses and how to make an appropriate evacuation decision. Certification is provided through Backcountry Pulse and is valid for two years. This course includes CPR certification. Registration Opens August 10th - see event page for more details.
King County’s 25th Anniversary of Green Building: Awards Ceremony and Celebration of Equitable and Sustainable Development
 This October marks 25 years of Green Building in King County. Originally adopted to ensure County projects are built using green building practices, green building policies have helped King County become a leader in sustainability and social justice.
Hosted By: King County Solid Waste Division
Date:Wednesday, Oct. 21
Time:9:30 AM - 3 PM
Location: White Center HUB, 10829 8th Avenue Southwest, Seattle, WA 98146
Description: Join us for a day of recognition, learning, and community building. The event will include a training on King County's equity and social justice standards for capital projects, a tour of the White Center HUB, a graduation for participants of the County's Green Workforce Training Program focusing on deconstruction, and an award ceremony to recognize positive Green Building contributions from across the County.
Nominate a Green Building Award project
We are currently accepting nominations for our Green Building Awards. We invite you to nominate projects (building or infrastructure-type), programs, and/or people from:
- King County staff
- Cities, communities and partner jurisdictions
- Community-based organizations
- Industry partners
King County Wildfire Ready Toolkit
King County's Wildfire Ready Toolkit shares practical steps and resources that will help you take action to prepare and protect your home, yourself, and your family from wildfire. The information and resources in the toolkit are proven through research and real-world experience to make a difference when wildfire occurs.
Click on the image below to watch a short video on the toolkit or visit: http://kingcounty.gov/wildfire
King County Metro announces major service expansion across King County
Executive Girmay Zahilay today announced that Metro will expand bus service across King County starting Aug. 29, including nine new routes, more than 3,000 additional bus trips each week, and better connections to new South King County Link light rail stations. The changes also include the launch of Metro Flexw b./, an on-demand transit service, in Auburn and Federal Way beginning Aug. 31.
South King County will see the largest service improvements in Metro's Aug. 29 service change, with more frequent trips, expanded service hours, new weekend service and stronger connections to Link light rail and RapidRide. See this Service Change Map of South King County.
Metro also will pilot Metro Flex service in Auburn and Federal Way, providing on-demand rides that connect people with neighborhoods, transit hubs and other local destinations. Using the Metro Flex app, riders can book rides on accessible minivans, including wheelchair accessible vehicles and vans with bike racks, for the same fare as a Metro bus ride. Riders can download the app in the Apple App Store, Google Play Store or call 206-258-7739 to book a ride when service launches on Monday, Aug. 31.
Read the full press release on Metro's website for further details.
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The Tribal Funding Registry
The Tribal Funding Registry is a Native-led platform for Tribal Nations and Indigenous-led organizations that brings together federal, state, corporate, foundation, and Tribal funding opportunities in one place. Find open grant opportunities and receive guided support throughout the research, application, and reporting process.
Third Wave Fund: Disabilities Frontline Fund
Disability Frontlines Fund (DFF) focuses on directly resourcing organizations, groups, and individuals working within the frontlines of disability justice organizing (you can find the 10 defining principles for disability justice here).
Award Amount:$50,000 general operating grants (organizations and groups) per year for four years or; $25,000 general operating grants (organizations and groups) per year for four years or; $10,000 project-based grants (individuals) per year for four years.
Applications due August 7, 2026.
City of Maple Valley: Economic/Community Events and Human Services
Each year the City of Maple Valley accepts applications from Maple Valley agencies and organizations that provide services and events within the community. Funding is divided into two categories: Economic/Community Event Grants and Human Services Grants. Both grants are now accepting applications
Applications due August 14, 2026.
Neighborhood Grant Programs in South King County cities
Neighborhood Matching Grant Programs are administered by individual city municipalities to provide small amounts of matching funds (usually on a competitive basis) to residing neighborhoods and organizing groups to develop and implement projects which will enhance the livability of their communities. Deadlines, award amounts, and eligibility vary per city so please check your individual city's requirements.
Other Funding Opportunities
Check out the Best Starts for Kids Current and Future Funding, Non-Best Starts for Kids Funding Opportunities (March to May), the Northwest Environmental Justice Center’s WA Funding List, Communities of Opportunity (COO), and King County Emergency Food Funding for collections of other funding resources.
MANAFest presented by UTOPIA Washington
 Hosted By: UTOPIA Washington
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Location: Green River College – Auburn Campus
Description: UTOPIA Washington’s MANAFest is back! Join us on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Green River College’s Auburn Campus for a day filled with culture, food, music, performances, workshops, vendors, community connection, and so much more. MANAFest brings together Pacific Islander communities from across Washington State to celebrate who we are, where we come from, and the futures we’re building together. IT'S FREE FOR THE COMMUNITY!
Environmental Justice Council Manager Position
The Environmental Justice Council Manager provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and staff support for the Environmental Justice Council, established through the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act, Chapter 70A.02 RCW. The Council was created to advance environmental justice across Washington State by reducing environmental and health disparities and implementing recommendations from the Environmental Justice Task Force.
The Environmental Justice Council Manager leads a highly skilled team responsible for supporting a Governor-appointed Council made up of Tribal representatives, community representatives, environmental justice practitioners, business representatives, and labor representatives. The manager ensures Council members have the information, resources, and coordination needed to develop recommendations, guidance, and strategic practices that advance environmental justice throughout Washington.
Applications Due August 10, 2026: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/doh/jobs/5432505/environmental-justice-council-manager-wms-2-doh8959
Communities of Opportunity regularly updates a list of ongoing no-cost job training programs and other workforce development opportunities in King County. https://www.coopartnerships.org/workforce-opportunities
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