Unlike conventional evaluation approaches that can be top-down or perpetuate inequities, participatory evaluation brings stakeholders and evaluators together to collaboratively develop and implement the evaluation. In alignment with COO’s values of shared power and decision-making, a participatory approach ensures partners, governance group, and staff play an active role throughout the evaluation process.
Evaluation
We update evaluation findings yearly. Find these reports on our Evaluation page:
We are grateful for the participation of the Evaluation Advisory Group members in the guidance of our evaluation work.
Stories from COO & Partners
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.
Building Changes is inviting applications from organizations across Washington state working to prevent and end youth and young adult homelessness. Apply by January 12.
Food banks, pantries, mutual aid groups, and community food programs in King County can now apply for new grant funding to support food purchase and distribution. Apply by December 8.
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.
King County is seeking applications for 2027 King County Conservation Futures land acquisition grants. Applications are due on Monday, February 9, 2026.
Approximately $250,000-$500,000 in total funding will be awarded to organizations advancing equitable, healing-centered approaches to prevent and address family homelessness. Apply by December 8.
En un seminario en línea, lideres locales de organizaciones sin fines de lucro comparten lo que aprendieron.
These grants fund community projects that help residents in King County’s unincorporated areas participate in—and be more connected to—their communities and King County. Apply by December 5.
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.
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for August 2025.
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) is currently accepting applications for the Neighborhood Matching Fund, for two funds.
How King County is organizing with other local entities and fighting back against the federal administration directives that affect our communities
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for June/July 2025.
A new pilot partnership between COO and St. Joseph Fund will support more community power-building opportunities in King County.
In the wake of and in anticipation of Congressional investigations, expansion of the counter-terrorism framework through administrative measures, and attacks on nonprofits, the Charity & Security Network (C&SN) has developed and updated resources for the non-profit sector linked here.
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.
The Washington Nonprofit Legal Checklist is intended to help nonprofits in Washington State avoid common legal risks and achieve better legal health. This is not legal advice, though the materials were created by the lawyers at Communities Rise.
An introductory toolkit for mutual aid organizing—from starting a group to sustaining it for the long haul
This program is ideal for: Anyone that is a part of movement work (activists, organizers, staff, etc.) that is ready to develop a stronger politic and take up practices of access and disability justice. General alignment with the 10 principles of Disability Justice.
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.
What do you do when a story about your community feels all wrong?
When others, detached from your struggle, reinforce messages that completely miss your dreams and reality? When your community is under attack and the truth is being flattened and replaced by disinformation? You change the narrative and we fight back!
Capacity building support is available to COO & Best Starts for Kids contracted/funded organizations - AND - support is available via the COO Learning Community for groups working in alignment with COO’s mission, vision and values who are not currently funded.