Washington State Department of Commerce
Mar 11, 2023
Building a More Equitable Future: Community Reinvestment Initiative
We're excited to share an overview of the Community Reinvestment Initiative, a plan to address racial and economic disparities caused by the war on drugs. This initiative invests $200 million in programs that support economic development, legal assistance, violence prevention, and reentry services in disproportionately impacted communities.
This is just a glimpse!  For a deeper dive into the plan, funding areas, and eligibility details, we encourage you to read the full report.
Stay informed!  Sign up for updates on program roll-out and future funding opportunities.
Empower your community!  See if your organization or someone you know might be eligible for funding!
Here is a summary of a Community Reinvestment Plan Report from Washington State. Here's a concise breakdown of the key points:
Background
Washington State allocated $200 million to address racial, economic, and social disparities caused by the war on drugs.
The Department of Commerce partnered with the Office of Equity and community organizations to develop a plan for distributing these funds.
Goals
Invest in communities disproportionately harmed by the war on drugs.
Address racial, economic, and social disparities.
Funding Distribution
$200 million will be distributed across four program areas:
Economic development (e.g., small business grants, financial literacy training)
Civil and criminal legal assistance (e.g., expungement of criminal records)
Community-based violence intervention and prevention
Reentry services (e.g., job training for formerly incarcerated individuals)
64% of funding will be directed to six priority counties with high numbers of affected communities.
36% will go to economically disadvantaged areas across the state.
Prioritization
Funding will prioritize "nonprofit, faith-based, and grassroots organizations," particularly By and For organizations led by those impacted by the war on drugs.
Long-Term Impact
The plan aims to generate long-term economic benefits like job creation and increased incomes.
Continued support beyond the initial investment is recommended for lasting change.
Next Steps
The Department of Commerce will oversee implementation and grant distribution.
Programs will be evaluated for accountability and effectiveness.
Determine eligibility for By and For status, and register here if you're eligible.
This summary doesn't include all the details in the report, but it provides a good overview of the plan's goals, funding allocation, and intended impact. Visit the website to see what RFPs are available as a part of the project.
Visit the Department of Commerce's Web Page for the most up to date information.
We will attach RFP documents to this post as they roll out.