Capacity-Building Program
A pilot program that offers skills, tools, guidance, and early funding to support projects focused on repair, reuse, composting, and keeping materials in use in King County. The program is designed to make it easier for more people to access and participate in what’s known as the circular economy.
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Application Period: January 14th - February 13, 2026
Grant Amount: $5,000
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Help us reach communities already doing this work
We offer English and Spanish language support in this pilot. Please email us if you need other language support in the future—we want to hear what would help you participate.
In partnership with:
What is this new program?
The NextCycle Washington Capacity-Building Program, a pilot program sponsored by Communities of Opportunity, is inviting people working on new, circular economy-focused ideas or early-stage projects, especially those serving or led by communities often overlooked in circular economy programs.
NextCycle Washington focuses on supporting projects related to repair, reuse, composting, reducing waste, and keeping materials in use (this is what we refer to as the “circular economy”). The goal with this pilot program is to offer skills, tools, guidance, and early funding that help community-rooted ideas and projects take their next steps.
What is the circular economy?
Watch below and learn more here
Spanish translation of video above:
¡Claro que sí! Aquí tienes la traducción:
"Ahora mismo, más del 90 por ciento de nuestros productos y envases siguen una economía lineal (0:00-0:05). Tomamos materiales y recursos naturales, fabricamos el producto o envase, usamos el artículo y luego los desechamos como residuos (0:05-0:13). Menos del 10 por ciento de los productos y envases siguen una economía circular (0:16-0:18), donde los productos y envases no se desechan al final del primer uso, sino que se recirculan en la economía para ser compartidos, reparados, reutilizados o reciclados (0:20-0:30) en nuevos productos."
Who is this program for?
This capacity-building pilot program is for people who have faced barriers to working in the circular economy or whose projects or communities haven’t always had access to circular economy opportunities or funding.
We encourage you to express interest or refer someone you know who:
is working on a project connected to the circular economy, such as repair, reuse, refurbishment, community composting, waste reduction, etc.
has a new idea or project that is still developing, in its research phase, or could use support to test the idea
is from, serves, and/or led by King County-based communities that are underserved or overburdened—including Black, Indigenous, communities of color, and low-income
The NextCycle Washington Capacity-Building Program supports participants in three key areas:
Real-world learning to build practical skills, confidence, and early capacity
Relationship-building with peers, mentors, and coaches who are working toward a more accessible and equitable circular economy across our region
Relevant and resonant storytelling to help participants share their work, grow community support, and connect with future funding opportunities
What will this program offer?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Community-based organizations or nonprofits, entrepreneurs with startups or small businesses, social enterprises, trade organizations, Tribal nations and organizations, universities, and research teams that are new to the circular economy and have an idea or project in its very early stages.
Community-based organizations working under a fiscal sponsor are welcome and encouraged to apply.Out-of-state organizations are eligible, but the proposed project or venture must be located and directly address the circular economy in King County, WA.
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This grant is intended to provide flexible early funding, reduce the cost of participation, support diverse project needs in the earliest stages, and help participants identify which next steps they would like to take in the short term as they pursue their circular economy-focused idea or project.
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Anyone who has a new, King County-based idea or project that directly or indirectly strengthens waste prevention; repair, reuse, or recycling; composting or organics management; or the creation of products from materials that would otherwise end up in the landfill.
Projects may focus on anything that is intended to keep materials in use, for longer.
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Participants will receive an upfront stipend to participate in the 6-week program, followed by a grant of $5,000 at the end of the program. Our intention is to reduce the cost of participation for people who experience high barriers to entry and participation in circular economy programs, while also offering grant funding to support people who are new to the circular economy in pursuing their next steps.
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Email your questions to either address:
or
Help us reach communities already doing this work
We want to center and support early-stage, community-rooted projects across King County—and we need your help to find them.
We offer English and Spanish language support in this pilot. Please email us if you need other language support in the future—we want to hear what would help you participate.