The COO Learning Community leverages the power of collective knowledge to accelerate change. We are currently growing the number of resources, opportunities and platforms available through the Learning Community — look here for current opportunities available to community partners.
Leading the
transformation
of King County
Through community-driven partnerships, we are creating greater racial, economic, and health equity that enables all people in King County to thrive and prosper.



ABOUT US
Communities of Opportunity is a network of residents, communities, decision-makers, and funders who believe every community can be a healthy, thriving community—and that equity and racial justice are both necessary and achievable. We are dedicated to eliminating racial, health, and economic disparities and to transforming how we create health and well-being for all people. Together, we’re advancing community-based priorities, tapping into existing community expertise and leadership, and shaping policies to promote equity.

Our
Impact
Starting in 2014 as a partnership between King County and the Seattle Foundation, the initiative has grown to more than 150 organizations partnering together, with the voices of hundreds of community members guiding the way.
Our Work
When community members have voice and power in the decisions that impact their communities, and express it through civic engagement and leadership, it leads to broader community and policy changes that assure racial, health, and economic equity. Therefore, three reinforcing elements are at the heart of Communities of Opportunity.
Place-Based & Cultural Community Partnerships
Systems & Policy Change
Learning Community

“This new process of empowering local communities to identify their priorities, which exist at the intersection of health, housing and economic opportunity, will bring positive changes to places throughout King County that have struggled for much too long.”
The Latest
In this 2-hour workshop, cooperative founder and business coach Devra Gartenstein will cover the fundamentals of the cooperative model, legal structures, and next steps to organizing a cooperative business. Participants will also hear from additional resource providers, including those providing capital specifically for cooperatives, and then we'll break into an interactive group format where you can learn from other cooperatives about their journey.
This workshop series (4 sessions, three of which will be in-person) will help organizational leaders evaluate risks, see opportunities, develop contingency plans, build relationships and network with other organizations doing similar work. We strongly recommend that organizations join each workshop with more than one person to discuss and plan together. We also recommend organizations attend all four sessions.
The Youth Healing Project RFP, which will directly fund young people to work on projects that aim to improve the mental health, healthy coping, harm reduction, connection, and well-being of young people. Apply by July 17.
A new funding opportunity is available from the VSHSL to improve staff recruitment and retention within eligible organizations with active VSHSL awards who are currently providing human services in King County. Apply by July 18.
The Environmental Justice (EJ) Fund was established in 2018 as part of the City of Seattle’s Equity & Environment Agenda to invest in community-led projects advancing climate justice. Apply by June 3.
Native Voices Rising, a fiscally sponsored project of Common Counsel Foundation, has launched their 2025 grant cycle as they embark on their second decade of impactful grantmaking. Apply by July 4.
Applicants have an opportunity to be awarded federal HUD funds for eligible 2026 CDBG non-housing projects that serve low- and moderate-income communities. Pre-application closes May 19; full application closes June 20.
P-5 Innovation Funds aim to build up the power of community-driven Innovation to meet the emergent needs of families in King County. Apply by October 3, 2025 by 2 pm Pacific (Round 2); January 23, 2026 by 2 pm Pacific (round 3).
City of Seattle’s Office of Sustainability & Environment (OSE) is now accepting applications for the 2025 Building Decarbonization Grants. Apply by July 10.
Developed in partnership between Front & Centered, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and community allies, the projects funded by this grant will focus on innovative, community-led solutions aimed at reducing carbon emissions, increasing accessibility, and building lasting, equitable transportation infrastructure.
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) is currently accepting applications for the Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF). NMF is a granting program that consists of two funds – the Community Partnership Fund (CPF) and the Small Sparks Fund (SSF) – which support grassroots projects that build stronger communities.
Seed Money Grants support the creation of new community agriculture projects and help sustain existing projects.
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for May/June 2025.
We’ve compiled a list of opportunities for you to strengthen your knowledge of digital security and how to protect community data and your organizational infrastructure. You may also be able to get financial support for the sessions that charge a fee. Learn how!
COO is recruiting for up to 6 positions on our Governance Group. Learn why you might want to apply, and how. The due date for this round is May 28.
A new pilot partnership between Communities of Opportunity (COO) and BIPOC ED Coalition of Washington State is bringing wellness and sustainability resources to 15 local organizations.
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for April/May 2025.
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for March 2025.
For the past six months, the COO Learning Community has been exploring cooperatives, or co-ops, as an alternative and innovative economic development strategy.
A recap of the recent Black Providers Network gathering, featuring several of our funded partners.
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for February/March 2025.
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for January/February 2025.