The Puget Sound Recovery Acceleration Funding Tool (PS RAFT) collects information about national, state, and regional funding opportunities in one central location. This tool males it easier to find and apply for funding and helps to align funding opportunities with funding needs. 

PS RAFT is part of the Puget Sound Partnership’s Strategic Funding Program, which was established in 2023 to increase Puget Sound’s ecosystem and salmon receovery, imrpoving both the environment and human wellbeing, by opmtimizinf funding. 

Floodplains by Design is Washington State Department of Ecology’s primary grant program for projects that help communities live better in their floodplain. Floodplains by Design is a partnership of local, state, federal, and private organizations focused on coordinating investment in and strengthening of the integrated management of floodplain areas throughout Washington. 

Types of projects funded: Local organizations with Floodplains by Design grants are working on projects that are multi-benefit: both reducing flood hazards to communities and restoring natural functions of Washington’s rivers and their floodplains. These projects bring together many different uses in the floodplain to benefit the entire community and ecosystem, improve flood protection for towns and farms, restore salmon habitats, improve water quality, and enhance outdoor recreation.

Example projects: See the program’s “Impact of FbD Grant Program” page for an interactive map of funded projects.

Funding available: Varies – determined by the State Legislature. Grants are for projects achievable in two to three years. Matching funds are required at 20 percent, but waived for Economically Distressed Communities. See the programs current grant opportunities page for up-to-date funding. 

More information: Floodplains by Design (Department of Ecology), Floodplains by Design (program website).

Marine Resource Committees (MRCs) are county-based committees of volunteers who are appointed by their local elected officials. MRCs represent diverse perspectives related to our marine ecosystems and working with local governments. A typical MRC has representation from local government, tribal government, the local port district, local business, and the scientific, recreational and conservation communities.

Types of projects funded: Projects funded by MRCs include, but are not limited to, topics such as coastal hazards, nearshore restoration, intertidal and estuarine habitats, mapping eelgrass beds, outreach and education for local communities, restoring native shellfish populations, installing rain gardens, and more.

Example projects: Visit or contact your local MRC to identify current and previously funded projects.

Funding available: Varies between MRCs and available funding.

More information:

• Clallam County MRC (for west end of county, see North Pacific Coast MRC)
• Grays Harbor County MRC
• Island County MRC
• Jefferson County MRC (for west end of county, see North Pacific Coast MRC)
• North Pacific Coast MRC (west end of Clallam and Jefferson Counties)
• Pacific County MRC
• San Juan Islands MRC
• Skagit MRC
• Snohomish MRC
• Wahkiakum County MRC
• Whatcom County MRC

NOAA’s Coastal Management sector focuses on four programs: coastal zone management, national estuarine research reserves, digital coast (tools, data, and training), and coral reef restoration. Since NOAA is a federal program, many of the NOAA programs and efforts are focused across the US.

Types of projects funded: Depending on the specific grant program, NOAA’s coastal management funding opportunities typically fund planning, agency coordination, research and educational opportunities.  

Example project: The Washington Coastal Resilience Project (WCRP) was funded by NOAA and was a three-year effort by Washington Sea Grant, Washington State Department of Ecology, University of Washington Climate Impact Group, The Nature Conservancy, and other entities to develop cutting-edge sea level rise projections and outreach surrounding this material. For more information, check out the WCRP page.

Funding available: Varies yearly depending on federal funding opportunities.

More information: NOAA Coastal Management Funding Site

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is one of the largest private conservation grantmakers in the United States. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation focuses on conservation efforts across the nation through a wide variety of programs.

Types of projects funded: Programs include: emergency coastal resilience, coastal resilience, conservation scholars, restoration, watershed programs, and more.

Example projects: The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has funded numerous habitat and streamflow restoration projects in Washington, among other types of projects which can support coastal hazards resilience. One example in Washington is the Baker Bay and Grays Bay: Community-Based Coastal Resilience Action project, which was a three-year (2021-2024) initiative that sough to assis locally-led efforts to reduce the impacts of coastal flooding along the lower Columbia River. See the Bay-to-Bay project page for more information. 

Funding available: Varies yearly depending on available funding.

More information: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Programs

The Washington Coast Restoration and Resilience Initiative (WCRRI, formerly Washington Coast Restoration Initiative, or WCRI) provides funding for projects in Washington’s Pacific Coast watersheds, with a focus on creating jobs and restoring coastal lands and waters.

Types of projects funded: WCRRI funds projects that restore Pacific Coast lands and waters, with an emphasis on local job creation.

Example projects: Fry Creek Restoration and Flood Reduction (City of Aberdeen), Moon Island Road Project (City of Hoquiam), Grayland Acquisition Project (Ducks Unlimited), Goldinov-Wilson Creek restoration (Wahkiakum Conservation District), Quinault Nearshore Habitat Restoration (Quinault Indian Nation). See project examples on WCRRI’s Projects page.

Funding available: WCRRI is funded by the Washington State Legislature on a biennial basis, pending legislative approval. 2023-2025 funding totalled approximately $9,700,00 across 7 projects. 

More information: See the WCRRI Website.

Washington Sea Grant offers multiple funding opportunities for many types of projects, with a focus on research, education, public engagement and administrative activities.

Types of projects funded: Sea Grant supports research, outreach and education projects at local, state and regional levels. Sea Grant also funds fellowships and small projects that align with the program’s mission.

Example projects: Research projects include assessments of legal and policy factors affecting a coastal community’s ability to move infrastracture out of the way of tsunamis and other natural hazards (Coastal Hazard Planning: The Role of Governance in Community Resilience), siting criteria for clam gardens that incorporate traditional ecological knowledge and climate adaptation strategies (Reviving the Past to Protect the Future: Developing a Social-Ecological Clam Garden Site Selection Model) and more. To see a list of current research projects. visit WA Sea Grant’s current research projects web page.

Funding available: Varies depending on annual budget and priorities at the state and national levels.

More information: Washington Sea Grant’s Funding Opportunities

Types of projects funded: Projects which preserve or restore historic cultural elements.

Example projects: Restoration and rehabilitation of historic county courthouses, stabilization and preservation of designated Heritage Barns, preservation of historic cemeteries.

Funding available: Sources range from tax breaks and loans, to small and large grants.

More information: See the “Grants and Funding” page on the Department’s website.

The Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) is the coordinating state agency for all 45 conservation districts (CDs) in Washington State. Together, the SCC and CDs provide voluntary, incentive-based programs that empower people to practice conservation and ensure healthy natural resources and agriculture for all. 

Washington’s CDs are local, non-regulatory subdivisions of state government. CDs match local natural resource concerns and needs with applicable technical assistance and financial resources, solving on-the-ground conservation issues with proven effective conservation practices.

Types of projects funded: Farm planning, habitat restoration, stormwater management and more.

Example projects: Pacific Conservation District has assisted erosion adaptation projects in Chinook and North Cove. Snohomish Conservation District has connected agricultural landowners with tools for assessing groundwater change and salinity intrusion due to sea level rise.

Funding available: Conservation districts support voluntary projects, but may be able to help with planning and implementation costs for work that affects single or multiple properties.

More information: Find your local conservation district’s contact information and meeting times, via the Washington State Conservation Commission.

The Washington State Department of Commerce touches on every aspect of community and economic development, including planning, infrastructure, energy, housing, business services and more. Commerce works with local governments, tribes, business and civic leaders throughout the state to strengthen communities so all residents may thrive and prosper.

Types of projects funded: Funding is available for a variety of projects, including salmon recovery grants, tribal clean energy grants, affordable housing initiatives, broadband services and much more.

Example projects: Commerce’s Tribal Coastal Resilience Program consulted with tribes within Washington state to co-design a strategy for the distribution of $50 million of Climate Commitment Act (CCA) dollars that the Washington Legislature appropriated for tribal climate resilience in to 2023-2025 biennium. Funds from this grant program can be used for all project stages: planning, feasibility studies, pre-construction, and construction costs. Tribes have the flexibility to determine the best use of this funding to address their climate resiliency needs.

Funding available: See their website for a list of current funding opportunities.

More information: View Commerce’s website for more information.

The Department of Ecology works to protect, preserve and enhance the environment for current and future generations. The Department of Ecology primarily provides grants to local governments, municipalities and public entities towards environmental efforts such as clean water, stormwater, relief, floods and more.

Types of projects funded: Stormwater, floodplain management, watersheds & flow, toxic clean-ups, clean water and more.

Example projects: Examples of recent projects funded by the Department of Ecology include a project aimed at improving the reilience of public infrastructure, habitats, and communities in Washington’s 15 coastal counties to coastal hazards including sea level rise, flooding, erosion, and landslines. Additional example include projects designed to improve and protect the overall health of Puget Sound’s riarian areas and make them more resilient to climate change.

Funding available: Funding availability varies on grant and grant cycle. See the list of current offerings on the Department of Ecology’s grants and loans web page. 

 More information:

• Department of Ecology Find a Grant & Loan Site
• Department of Ecology Water Quality Grants & Loan Site
• Department of Ecology Watershed Planning Grants Site
• Department of Ecology Flood Control Grants Site

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to preserving, protecting and perpetuating the state’s fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities. The WDFW provides a variety of grant programs focused around habitat recovery, wildlife recovery and more.

Types of projects funded: Nearshore protection and recovery (Puget Sound-specific and statewide), shore-friendly programs, recovery efforts and more.

Example projects: The WDFW provided funding to the Northwest Straits Foundation on their Shoreline Armoring Reduction Project Enhancement. The WDFW recently published a new long-term management plan for invasive European green crabs and assessed razor clam populations for conservation and recreation.

 Funding available: Varies on grant and grant cycle.

 More information:

• WDFW Nearshore Grants
• WDFW Shore Friendly Grant Program
• WDFW Nearshore Programs
• WDFW Habitat Recovery Programs

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has a mission to manage, sustain and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Department of Natural Resources focuses on forestry, lakes, recreation and land management work.

Types of projects funded: Forestry-related projects, forestry riparian easement, rivers and open habitats, land management and more.

Example projects: 

Funding available: Varies dependent on the grant program.

More information:

• DNR Rivers and Open Habitat Program
• DNR Forestry Riparian Easement Program
• DNR Land Transaction Site
• DNR Forest Legacy Site
• DNR Urban and Community Forest Grant

The Washington Department of Health (DOH) works with others to protect and improve the health of all people in Washington state and to defend the public’s health from threats in a rapidly evolving world.

Types of projects funded: Projects related to safe drinking water, construction loans and source water protection.

Example projects: The DOH recently awarded more than $14 million of Climate Commitment Act funds to 41 community organizations and Tribes, with funds to support environmental and climate justice initiatives across Washington state.

Funding available: Dependent on the funding program, see current the current project priority list for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

More information:

• DOH Source Water Program Site
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
• Summary of State Fiscal Year 2025 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan Funding Cycle – Project Prioroity List

The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) maintains the state’s highway system and strives to ensure the transportation system has a minimal impact on the natural environment and communities. They provide roadway data and GIS maps and data layers for state routes and public roads.

Types of projects funded: WSDOT projects are investments made with local partners to address safety, congestion, mobility for all users and/or fish passage responsibilties.

Example projects: WSDT recently completed the removal of fish barriers in east Jefferson County along State Route 104 and 19, which were replaced with 18-ft culverts. Search for projects on their website.

Funding available: Search WSDOT-related budget and financial information on their website. 

More information: View WSDOT’s main website to learn more.

Types of projects funded: The program funds mitigation planning initiatives and cost-effective mitigation projects designed to reduce or eliminate the effects and costs of future disaster damage. Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants (HMPG) are provided to Washington state jurisdictions and tribal governments to reduce the effects of natural hazards and mitigate vulnerability to future disaster damage. Individual homeowners and businesses may not apply directly, but eligible local governments may apply on their behalf.

Example projects: 

Funding available: Specific HMPG grants exist for Post Fire Mitigation, Pre-Disaster Mitigation and Flood Mitigation Assistance.

More information: Washington State Emergency Management Division Site

Washington State’s Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) is a small state agency that manages multiple grant programs. The RCO invests in Washington’s great outdoors by creating and maintaining trails, creating and improving parks, preserving farmland, conserving streams and shoreline, and much more. RCO provides funding to protect and improve the best of Washington’s natural and outdoor recreation resources. RCO aims to have fair and accountable grant management by providing competitve grants efficiently and fairly so that partners can make strategic investments. 

Types of projects funded: RCO manages grant programs to create outdoor recreation opportunities, protect wildlife habitat and farmland, and help return salmon from near extinction. For example, RCO’s Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program funds estuary and near-shore projects in the Puget Sound, which have the potential to assist resilience efforts for coastal hazards and sea level rise. RCO’s Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account can fund the acquisition, protection or restoration of aquatic lands as well as the creation of public access to waterfronts.

Example projects: RCO has funded a variety of projects, from habitat restoration to public waterfronts (such as Hoquiam’s 28th Street Boat Launch along the Chehalis River/Grays Harbor). RCO is a valuable asset for providing public spaces or habitat improvements that can also assist coastal hazards resilience.

Funding available: Since RCO manages multiple grant programs, funding availability varies. For most RCO grant programs, grant recipients must spend money and request reimbursement for those costs. Grant funding is not awarded upfront, with rare exceptions. Most grants require applicants to provide matching contributions, up to 50% of the cost of the project.

More information: Visit the RCO website for descriptions of available grants, and more.

The Pollution Liability Insurance Agency (PLIA) provides an effective and efficient government-funding model that helps owners and operators meet financial responsibility and environmental cleanup requirements for underground storage tanks.

Types of projects funded: Funding is provided to assist owners and operators of petroleum underground storage tank systems to remediate past releases and to upgrade, replace or remove petroleum underground storage tank systems to prevent future releases. Efforts include installation of new infrastructure or retrofitting of existing infrastructure for the dispersing of renewable or alternative energy.

Example projects: PLIA maintains an interactive dashboard of program sites. 

Funding available: Varies as the program’s main source of funding is reliant on the Petroleum Products Tax.

More information:

• Washington State’s Pollution Liability Insurance Program Site
• Commercial Underground Storage Tank Reinsurance
• Underground Storage Tank Loan and Grant Program

The Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) funds high priority transportation projects in communities throughout the state to enhance the movement of people, goods, and services. TIB is an independent state agency created by the state legislature, that distributes and manages street construction and mainentance grants to 320 cities and urban counties throughout Washington State. Funding for TIB’s grant programs comes from revenue generated by three cents of the statewide gas tax.

Types of projects funded: TIB administers funds for ADA ramp replacements, sidewalk replacements, minimum speed feedback signs, street reconstructions, and more. 

Example projects: An example of a recent projects by TIB focused on US 101 Safety Improvements in Aberdeen by converting a 4-lane section to a 3-lane section to provide dedicated bike lanes. See an interactive dashboard of TIB projects on their Performance Management Dashboard and their list of featured projects. 

Funding available: View and overview of TIB funding, including available funding for the Urban Programs (for cities with a population of 5,000 or more and counties with urban unincorporated areas), Small City Programs (for cities and towns with a population of less than 5,000), and other TIB funding opportunities (that may have specialized eligibility requirements). 

More information:

• Visit the TIB Website