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
PHPDA’s Major Grants program intends to support organizations who are facing disproportionate burdens to their wellbeing; the grants support projects working to reduce health disparities in King County. Letters of Intent are due January 26, 2026 at noon.
The Capital Program provides contracts for building repairs, renovations and new construction or expansion to improve access to high quality programs and services for low-income children, young people, and families, with a priority for those serving Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. The pre-proposal submission deadline is Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 2 p.m.
The Seattle Office of Housing (OH) is making $27.8 million in funding available to sustain the operations of OH’s housing partners and the City’s affordable housing portfolio. Apply by December 18.
King County is seeking applications for 2027 King County Conservation Futures land acquisition grants. Applications are due on Monday, February 9, 2026.
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 September 11, 2026 by 2 pm Pacific (round 3).
Seed Money Grants support the creation of new community agriculture projects and help sustain existing projects.
The Washington State Department of Commerce has launched the first of five planned small business loan and investment programs aimed at increasing access to capital for small businesses in Washington state, particularly those that have been historically underserved or underbanked.
Neighbor to Neighbor supports grassroots efforts that increase engagement, power and influence of community members affected by poverty and racial disparities.
Rapid Response are small project specific grants of $3,000 to help grassroots organizations respond quickly to the changing political climate with actions and/or strategies that could not have been anticipated.
Seed Grants are small general operating grants of $5,000 to support new and emerging groups that are developing their community organizing work but might not yet meet all the qualifications for SJF’s Giving Project grants.
These gatherings bring our partners together to learn, share, and connect. Find the summaries of our most recent Convenings, watch videos, and connect to resources.
The Communities of Opportunity (COO) Learning Community (LC) & alterNative invites you to participate in a learning circle series designed to help community leaders, staff, and board members learn how to strategically and intentionally leverage governance and leadership to transform how power flows, how systems are structured, and how culture is felt at the organizations.
So, what does it take to create an economy that truly serves people? To create the economy we all deserve? Join the COO Learning Community & People’s Economy Lab (PEL) in the 2026 Economics for Emancipation King County learning series will answer this question and more, and prepare participants to take action on what they learn.
This is a new COO position created to support our Systems and Policy Change strategy. Applications are due November 23 at 11:59 p.m.
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for October/November 2025.
At a recent webinar, local nonprofit leaders share what they learned
En un seminario en línea, lideres locales de organizaciones sin fines de lucro comparten lo que aprendieron.
Learn about the keynotes, activities, workshops, and speakers at the Convening so you can plan your day.
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for September 2025.
A list of community forums being hosted by our community partners around King County this fall, to connect voters with candidates.