Team/Partnership Structure

Applicants may propose any team structure or division of tasks as long as the following criteria are met: 

• An applicant lead must be identified from the above eligible entities.  

• Team members that are not receiving funding through the proposed budget are not allowed to be the applicant lead. 

• Any team member may participate in a proposal/support a proposal without having a dedicated budget. To be considered a committed partner without budget, a team member must document their intended participation. 

• Applicants that consist of at least one nonprofit or community-based organization and a committed public agency/jurisdiction will be prioritized in review. 

• For projects that have a construction phase, the lead applicant must be the governmental agency (city, county, state or Tribal government) that has jurisdiction over the transportation infrastructure at the project location. 

Partnership Structure 

The project partnership model is an opportunity for a project to strengthen partnerships between local governments, regional transportation planning organizations, the Washington State Department of Transportation, and non-profit and community-based organizations focused on equity and environmental justice. While a partnership between a government entity and a community-based organization is not required, projects that identify partnerships with community-based organizations are prioritized. 

Each application must include partnerships between a lead applicant, sub-applicants, and community partners. Examples of these groups are found below. It is important that these entities, representing different interests and priorities in the Project Community, work together to collectively develop and implement a project that addresses the needs of community residents. Each application must have a single Lead Applicant. Should their application be selected for funding, the Lead Applicant will enter into a Grant Agreement with WSDOT and assume responsibility and accountability for the use and expenditure of received Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Grant Funds. The Lead Applicant is responsible for contracting and working with all Sub-applicants and Community Partners to implement the proposed projects and Scope of Work as set out in the executed Grant Agreement.  

Each application must include a description of the partnership structure. The application should include partnerships between stakeholders and implementers with different skill sets and expertise. If the lead applicant is a local government, then at least one of the Sub-applicants must be a community-based organization. If the Lead Applicant is a community-based organization, then at least one of the Sub-applicants must be a local government or a tribal government. If the Lead Applicant is a tribal government, then specific Sub-applicants are not required. Partnerships can serve many important purposes, including offering diverse perspectives and complementary strengths, providing both community representation and the necessary authority to implement certain activities, connecting the projects to opportunities for sustainable funding and financing, and situating the projects within the larger regional transportation strategy. SWCCP encourages partnerships that prioritize decision-making led by community residents and representatives. 

Questions to consider when developing a partnership structure with the project partners: 

1. Describe your partnership structure and key roles and responsibilities.   

2. How will decisions be made? How will you communicate with partners?  

3. What other partners are important to making this effort successful, and how do you plan to engage them? Identify other partners that can help this effort be successful, including other government agencies or departments and other community organizations, non-profits, schools, churches, or other entities. 

1. Partnership Examples 

• A local jurisdiction is the lead applicant, and partners with a community-based organization to guide a planning process for a corridor. The local jurisdiction contracts with the community-based organization to lead community engagement and continues the relationship by identifying needs and opportunities for interventions. 

• A tribal government is the Lead Applicant. The tribal government primarily focuses on tribal engagement and managing the partnership structure. They work with a consultant as a Sub-applicant that provides administrative support, data plan development and leads evaluation efforts.  

• A WSDOT region is the lead applicant, and partners with their local jurisdiction and a community-based organization to develop a community-led quick-build project that slows speeds down and creates safer crossings. The community based organization works in collaboration with the local jurisdiction to test and evaluate the installation. 

• Lead applicants must be one of the following types of organizations: 

• Community-based organization (for planning grant only) 

• Tribal governments 

• WSDOT Region  

• Region staff should obtain the support from the local jurisdiction the project is located 

• Local governments  

• Regional governments, MPOs and RTPOs (for planning grants only) 

• For projects that have a construction phase the lead applicant must be the governmental agency (city, county, state or Tribal government) that has jurisdiction for the transportation infrastructure at the project location. 

Sub Applicant: 

An entity that enters into a partnership with the lead applicant for the purpose of applying for a grant and that is responsible for implementing a project or project. Sub-applicants will enter written agreements with the Lead Applicant if their application is selected for funding. 

• Community-based organizations* 

• Consultants (e.g., infrastructure planners, project management firms)  

• Institutions of higher education  

• Local governments  

• Nonprofit organizations  

• Philanthropic organizations and foundations  

• Public schools  

• Public Library 

• Tribal governments  

• Other public agencies 

• *Community-based organization: A nonprofit organization that is place-based, with an explicit geographic focus area that includes the Project Community. Staff or board members of the community-based organization must reside in the Project Community and the organization must have a demonstrated record of at least one year providing services in the community. 

Community Partner: 

 A community group, community resident, student, parent, school staff, health-based organization, faith-based organization, small business, or other entity in the Project Community that, while not responsible for implementing funded projects, serves as a key stakeholder and representative of the Project Community during both development of the application and implementation of funded projects.