Voter Education Fund

The Voter Education Fund (VEF) is a government, philanthropic, and community partnership to remove barriers to voting.

Led by King County Elections, the Seattle Foundation, and local organizations, the fund provides grants for community-based organizations working to increase access to the ballot among historically excluded communities.

After a successful pilot program in 2016, the VEF was launched in 2017. In 2021-2022 nearly $1 million was invested across 30 grantee organizations.

Multi-Year grants of up to $50,000 over two years

• For organizations looking to increase their reach and build capacity in existing voter education and registration efforts.
• Deadline: February 24, 2023

Seed Grants of $5,000 to $10,000

• For organizations new to voter education and registration, and/or those that provide smaller events and programs.
• Applications accepted and grants awarded on a rolling basis.

Who we fund

• 501c3 organizations (or those who have a 501c3 fiscal sponsor)
• Organizations closely connected to their communities
• Organizations representative of the communities they serve
• Organizations with clear and actionable field plans

We prioritize proposals that seek to decrease inequities in voter registration and voting, specifically in historically disenfranchised communities.

What we fund

Ongoing campaign or events focused on one or more of the following:

• Voter education or outreach informing underrepresented voters about how voting works in King County
• Voter registration activities where our communities work, play, or connect
• Nonpartisan community events on Elections and voting
• Culturally appropriate technical assistance in navigating the voting process
• Interpretation and translation services for voters.

Selection process

Applications will be reviewed by a panel including members from King County Elections, Seattle Foundation, and community members. Evaluation criteria include:

• Connection with their communities
• Experience in voter education and voter programs
• Capacity to complete proposed projects
• Approach to tracking progress
• Detailed field plan and budget

Learn more and apply

View the Request for Proposal and apply today! 

Learn about the Voter Education Fund’s past work and what former grantee organizations have to say.

• Voter Education Fund brochure

Questions

For questions or assistance please contact:

Naheed Aaftaab
King County Elections
naaftaab@kingcounty.gov
206-477-5219

Vanesa Gutierrez
Seattle Foundation
v.gutierrez@seattlefoundation.org
206-515-2120