Evaluation process

This information is for the competitive track. For information on evaluation in the council allocated track, contact your councilmember’s office directly. For a map of council districts and contact information, visit the council district finder.

Complete applications are reviewed, scored, and ranked by the WaterWorks Grant Ranking Committee, a group of volunteers appointed by the King County Executive and Council. Applications are scored and evaluated on the criteria described below, and also considered as part of the entire portfolio of projects.

Funding recommendations by the WaterWorks Grant Ranking Committee are reviewed and authorized by the King County Executive to the King County Council for final approval.

Please see important dates for the timeline of steps in the process.

Project proposals are evaluated based on these components:

Water Quality Benefits (60 points)

• Significant water quality benefits to the King County Wastewater Treatment Division service area and ratepayers 
• Cost-effectiveness of proposal; leveraging of other funding, volunteer involvement, and other in-kind resources
• Strength of the proposal's water quality benefits as they are related to WTD's regional water quality responsibilities 
• Strength of impact; long term benefits and results; replicability
• Benefits water quality in an Equity and Social Justice area
• Substantially builds support for stewardship ethic for clean water

Implementation Strength and Certainty of Success (20 points)

• Clearly defined project activities, deliverables, budget, and scope of work that link to project goals
• Demonstrates urgency of issue and/or specific opportunities to do this project at this time
• Organization capacity – necessary skills, expertise, resources and relationships to successfully carry out project
• Partnership capacity - necessary skills, expertise, resources, and relationships to successfully carry out project; clearly defined roles for partner organizations

Community Benefits, Involvement, and Support (20 points)

• Significant outreach to and involvement of community members or groups
• Strong and diverse involvement from different sectors and groups (including partners); project builds capacity within communities
• Significant education and outreach using best practices; target audience is known and well defined
• Provides other community benefits in addition to water quality benefits; Determinants of Equity
• Equity and Social justice - provides benefits to, and/or engages people of color, limited English proficiency, low income, or other underserved populations or communities