Applications now open for 2018 Voter Education Fund

K. Hosh

We’re excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2018 Voter Education Fund. King County Elections and Seattle Foundation are awarding $460,000 in grants to increase voter engagement in underserved communities.

Organizations encouraged to apply include, but are not limited to, those serving communities of color, limited-English speaking communities, people with disabilities, low-income youth, veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and people who have been convicted of a felony.

2017 VEF Grantees
2017 Voter Education Fund grantees with staff from King County Elections and Seattle Foundation.

While applications are open to all organizations that serve historically disenfranchised communities, this year the Voter Education Fund is placing a special emphasis on engaging people experiencing homelessness and people who have been convicted of a felony. We want voter outreach efforts to emphasize that 1) voters who lack stable housing don’t need a traditional residential address to register to vote in Washington State and 2) the voting rights of citizens convicted of a felony are automatically restored once they’re no longer under Department of Corrections supervision.

Community-based organizations can apply for up to $20,000 to develop an ongoing campaign to engage voters or potential voters, or up to $10,000 to provide a series of targeted events.

The Voter Education Fund successfully launched last year, awarding $435,000 to 30 community-based organizations throughout King County. Grantees created voter engagement campaigns and hosted multiple events, including voter registration drives, ballot parties and widely-attended candidate forums.

The application period for the 2018 Voter Education Fund is open from February 6 to March 5, 2018. Organizations interested in applying can download an application or apply online.

RSVP here to attend one of three upcoming information sessions: