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
This session features two guest speakers in the same industry (landscape)who will talk about their experiences transitionig and operating their business as a worker co-op.
This series of events features speakers from King County cooperative businesses, the regional cooperative ecosystem, and models of cooperative housing, worker-owned enterprises, and cooperative infrastructure.
In the fourth session, you'll hear several 5-minute talks from experienced mutual aid organizers on the ground then go into breakout rooms focused on specific types of mutual aid projects. Topics will include disaster relief, immigration, cash/emergency needs, reproductive justice, and gender justice/trans support.
Each panelist will give a 10min presentation on their work to create more worker-owned cooperatives and employee owned enterprises, followed by a moderated conversation among all panelists and short Q&A.
4Culture and the City of Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development have opened a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for coaches, mentors, consultants, and technical assistance providers. Apply by April 10.
The HEAL Grant supports Indigenous-led initiatives in Washington State that advance environmental justice, community health, and cultural resilience. Apply by April 1.
The Port of Seattle is accepting applications for the 2025 South King County Community Impact Fund (SKCCIF) Economic Opportunities for Communities (EOC) Program. Apply by April 10.
The Youth Development RFP seeks to support the mental health and well-being of young people. Apply by April 15.
The $100,000 Bullitt Prize recognizes people in Washington state advancing conservation and environmental justice. Apply by May 16.
Developed in partnership between Front & Centered, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and community allies, the projects funded by this grant will focus on innovative, community-led solutions aimed at reducing carbon emissions, increasing accessibility, and building lasting, equitable transportation infrastructure.
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) is currently accepting applications for the Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF). NMF is a granting program that consists of two funds – the Community Partnership Fund (CPF) and the Small Sparks Fund (SSF) – which support grassroots projects that build stronger communities.
Seed Money Grants support the creation of new community agriculture projects and help sustain existing projects.
Philanthropy Northwest will be distributing $40 million in grants over the next three years in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and tribal nations in these four states. These funds are intended for projects that address a range of environmental issues and focus on promoting healthy communities.
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.
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for January/February 2025.
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for December 2024/January 2025.
Communities of Opportunity celebrated our anniversary – and 10 years of community power – this fall.
60 philanthropists and government grant-makers met October 3 and began shaping a vision for collaboratively transforming funding practices
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for November/December 2024.
Partners came together to collect rich stories and visualize impact through a process called Ripple Effects Mapping (REM).
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for October 2024.
A new collaboration between Communities of Opportunity (COO) and Seattle Foundation is yielding $200,000 more funding for the foundation’s Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) grant and technical assistance program – and strengthening our relationship. The next round of funding closes October 30.
News, stories, and recent articles from and about COO partners in community for September 2024.
Part One of a three-part series on the 2024 Othering & Belonging conference. A guest post by grantees and the Healthy & Safe Environments team.