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Building Bridges Grant Program

Contact Information

Francesca Matias
Youth Engagement Program Supervisor

360-725-6319

The Building Bridges grant program¡¯s goal is to strengthen systemic dropout prevention by providing funds to expand mentoring programs. Mentoring promotes student connection, belonging, and academic success, all key protective factors against dropout.

Mentoring relationships provide emotional support, academic guidance, and a real-world perspective, which many students need to overcome barriers and stay on track for graduation. Students that are mentored are more likely to graduate from high school, pursue post-secondary education, and avoid risky behaviors. Students with mentors are more likely to attend school regularly and engage in class. Mentors often help students navigate academic challenges and advocate support services when needed. ? 

Form Package 176 Building Bridges: Mentoring Supports is currently open in EGMS through January 16, 2026.

  • Targeted at school districts that have an existing or emerging mentoring support program.
  • Districts with high rates of chronic absenteeism and student dropout, and who serve underrepresented student populations will be prioritized to close equity gaps.
  • Provides funds to expand mentoring programs with local community-based organizations.
  • Train mentors in trauma-informed, culturally responsive, or strength-based approaches.
  • Provide stipends, materials, or transportation for mentoring activities.

For more information, read the legislation review through .

Resources

District and Community-based Organization Grantees

2024-25 District Grantees
  • Jenkins High School, Chewelah School District
  • East Valley High School, East Valley School District
  • Kelso School District
  • Kittitas School District
  • Lynden School District
  • Mount Adams School District
  • Mount Baker School District
  • Renton School District
2023-24 District Grantees
  • Chewelah School District
  • East Valley School District
  • Kelso School District
  • Kittitas School District
  • Lynden School District
  • Prosser School District
  • Renton School District
2022-23 CBO Grantees
  • African Young Dreamers, Beatrice Kiraguri
  • Centro de La Raza, Liz Huizar
  • Choose 180, Miran Kim
  • Community Reconstruction Collective, Sanai Anang
  • The Evergreen State College Foundation, Ellen Shortt Sanchez
  • Explore Your Wild, Jeni Rice
  • Voices of Pacific Island Nations, Patrick Woo-Ching
  • Friends of Children of Walla Walla, James Byrnes
  • FuturePreneurs Unlimited, Tony Benjamin
  • Jesus is the Answer Church, Shon Davis
  • KD Hall Foundation, KD Hall
  • Life Enrichment Group, Monika Mathews
  • Lopez Island Family Resource Center, Barbara Schultheiss
  • MLK Family Outreach Center, Freda Gandy
  • Movin Properties, Latrice Williams
  • New Life Community Development Agency, Dr. Lillian Robertson
  • OIC of Washington, Haydee Barbosa
  • Our GEMS, Vicki Collins
  • Power 2 the Poetry, Bethany Montgomery
  • Priceless Inspiration LLC, Antonio McLemore
  • PUSH for Dreams, John Gaines
  • Ready 2 Serve Ministries, Christina Harris
  • Safe Futures Youth Center, Sorya Svy
  • Southwest Youth & Family Services, Bryan Hayes
  • SPARK Peer Learning Center, Carolyn Cox
  • The Big Homie Program, Lorraine Stone
  • The Hawk Foundation for Research & Education in African Culture, Javoen Byrd
  • The Learning Project Network, Stephanie Courtney
  • Unleash the Brilliance, Terrell Dorsey
  • Your Money Matters, Clinton Taylor
2021-22 CBO Grantees
  • African Youth Dreamers, Beatrice Kiraguri
  • Asian Pacific Cultural Center, Faaluaina Pritchard
  • Choose 180, Emily Westlake
  • El Centro de la Raza, Liz Huizar
  • Escape to Peace, Carol Loya
  • Good Shepherd Youth Outreach, Louis Guiden Jr
  • Gridiron Foundation, DeQuin Evans
  • Immanuel Church, Rev. Rodney McAuley
  • Innovative Behavioral Consultation, Tovah Fairshot Denaro
  • Inspire
  • KD Hall Foundation, Kekela Hall
  • Life Enrichment Group, Monika Mathews
  • Lopez Island Resource Center, Suhannah Dunlap
  • MLK Outreach Center, Freda Gandy
  • New Life Community Development Assc., Dr. Lillian Robertson
  • North America Indian Mission Inc., Karen Markloff
  • Opportunity Industrialization Center of Washington, Haydie Barbosa
  • OurGEMS, Vicki Collins
  • Power2Poetry, Bethany Montgomery
  • Priceless Inspiration, Antonio McLemore
  • PUSH for Dreams, Dr. John Gaines
  • Safe Futures Youth Center, Clyde Weems
  • Southwest Youth and Family, Bryan Hayes
  • SPARK Peer Learning, Carolyn Cox
  • The Evergreen State College, Ellen Shortt Sanchez
  • Unleash the Brilliance, Terrell Dorsey
  • Yakima Valley Tutoring, Jeni Rice
  • Your Money Matters, Clinton Taylor
  • Youth Services of Kittitas County, Cassey Henrickson
2020-21 CBO Grantees
  • Good Shepherd Youth Outreach, Louis Guiden, Federal Way
  • KD Hall Foundation, Kekela Hall, Seattle
  • Lopez Island Family Resource Center, Barbara Schultheiss, Lopez Island
  • New Life Community Development, Dr. Lillian Robertson, Central Kitsap
  • Our GEMS, Dr. Vicki Collins, Kitsap County
  • Yakima Valley Tutoring, Jeni Rice, Zillah & Union Gap
  • Your Money Matters, Clinton Taylor, Kent
  • Youth Services Mentor Program of Kittitas County, Cassey Henrickson, Cle Elum & Ellensburg
  • Life Enrichment Group, Monika Mathews, Seattle
  • Priceless Inspiration, Antonio Mclemore, Fife & Tacoma
  • PUSH for Dreams, Dr. John Gaines, Fife & Tacoma
  • Unleash the Brilliance, Terrell Dorsey, Statewide