$2 Million Available to Increase Career Awareness and Job Readiness Through the South King and Port Communities Fund

This press release is available in eleven languages: Amharic, Dari, French, Korean, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.

The Port of Seattle is now accepting applications from community-based organizations to increase visibility of jobs and careers in Port-related industries in historically underrepresented communities surrounding Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and South King County, extending up to Beacon Hill and the Duwamish Valley. Funding supports programs that connect residents to living-wage jobs and career pathways in port-related industries in aviation, construction trades, green jobs, and maritime.

Approximately $2 million is available in the 2026 funding cycle of the South King and Port Communities Fund (formerly the South King County Community Impact Fund) Economic Opportunities for Communities (EOC) program. Organizations can apply for up to $115,000 for a single year of funding and $100,000 to $275,000 for multi-year (up to three years) funding. The application period is open from March 9, 2026, through April 20, 2026. Community-based organizations with a 501(c)3 or 501(c)6, or a fiscal sponsor with a 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 are eligible and encouraged to apply.

“The EOC Program reflects the Commission’s commitment to listening to communities and investing in solutions they help shape,” said Commissioner Hamdi Mohamed. “By supporting locally led career preparation and workforce training, we are expanding access to living-wage jobs while continuing to work toward stronger, more resilient neighborhoods across South King County, Beacon Hill, and the Duwamish Valley.”

Originally launched in 2020 as the Economic Recovery Program, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program evolved in 2025 following community listening sessions, partner feedback, and analysis using the Port’s Equity Index. The updated EOC Program reflects a shift from recovery-focused investments to long-term economic opportunity and workforce development.

Connections to port-related industries

With ties to all of Washington’s key economic sectors and connections to more than 500 employers operating at its facilities, the Port is uniquely positioned to create pathways to well-paying jobs in the aviation and maritime industries, the construction trades, and the green economy, which benefit communities most impacted by Port operations. Workforce development investments are critical as many port-related industries are experiencing staffing shortfalls. Community-led career preparation programs will help participants acquire the exposure, skills, experience, and training needed to secure increasingly complex family-wage jobs in these industries.

“Through the support and partnership with the South King and Port Communities Fund (SKPCF), we are able to meet people where they are and create meaningful pathways into the workforce,” said Kathy Powers, Vice President of Services at Orion Works. “This collaboration ensures that individuals who have been excluded from the labor market can access comprehensive career services and hands-on aviation manufacturing training that lead to real opportunity. Together, we’re not just preparing people for jobs — we’re expanding equitable access to family-wage careers and strengthening our regional economy.”

2026 application process

Organizations interested in applying for funding are encouraged to visit the EOC Program page on the Port website to:

• Complete the SKPCF EOC self-assessment (PDF) to determine eligibility and program fit
• Go to VendorConnect to search for and download the application
• Review application materials, timelines, and examples of previously funded projects
• Attend an upcoming information session about the Request for Proposal (RFP) process
• Submit an application for Economic Opportunities for Communities funding by 12 p.m. (noon) on April 20, 2026
• Sign up for email updates and future funding announcements

About the South King and Port Communities Fund (SKPCF)

The Port established the South King County Community Impact Fund (now South King and Port Communities Fund) in 2019 to develop equity-based partnerships and provide resources and support to historically underserved and disadvantaged diverse near-airport communities. From 2020 to 2024, the fund launched four cycles of the Economic Recovery (now Economic Opportunities for Communities) Program and the Environmental Grants (now the Environmental Improvement) Program, to fund community-led projects that create pathways to training and well-paying jobs, and to fund environmental improvements. Since the fund’s inception, more than 50 organizations have received a total of $9.25 million, which has funded over 80 projects.

Contact

Katherine Fountain | Senior Media Officer
(206) 787-3071 | [email protected]