Horizons Regional Grants

Overview

Horizons will select three regional partnerships across Washington state that have existing programs that are ready to expand or scale to help more students transition from K-12 into postsecondary education. Learn more about the open Request for Proposals (RFP) to be part of Horizons.

On This Page:

• RFP Details
• Who Should Apply
• How to Apply
• Resources
• Questions

RFP Details

Horizons will give regions an opportunity to build on and improve already successful local programs so more high school students have access to relevant, effective support as they move from high school to college and the workforce.

The Gates Foundation will select three regional partnerships through Horizons, with up to $5.4 million in funding for each region over three school years.

• In addition to grant funding, Horizons partnerships will get technical assistance to learn more about high-quality advising programs and other best practices.
• They’ll also receive support to build their data capacity so they can access, analyze, and apply data to continue refining and improving programs to meet student needs.

Partnerships should prioritize efforts to improve college and career advising programs in their specific regions.

• They can explore other evidence-based practices as well, such as FAFSA/WASFA completion and dual credit completion.
• Over the course of the three years, participants will track their progress and share what they learn with others statewide, including those in Limitless, a statewide learning network in Washington managed by Education First.

Who Should Apply

Applicants must be part of regional partnerships based in Washington state that include at least one local K-12 district and one higher education institution, as well as a “backbone” organization that helps coordinate efforts across the partnership.

• Partnerships must already work together or be in the process of working on solutions designed to support local students transitioning from high school to postsecondary programs.
• Partnerships should have existing programs that focus on students who face the most significant barriers—including Black, Latino, and Indigenous students, and students from low-income and rural communities.

How to Apply

Access the Horizons RFP on the Gates Foundation’s RFP portal.

RFP responses are due by September 22 at 5 p.m. PT.

Application Support

Partnerships can engage independent consultants Ken Thompson and George Zeno for support with the application process. Ken and George are available to:

• Provide thought partnership on how applicants can work with different partners to apply
• Provide initial feedback on 1-2 application responses for clarity
• Respond to questions about Horizons that require a confidential, independent party

Please note: Independent consultants are not able to provide line edits to improve your proposal or direct feedback on the quality of your application.

Schedule a meeting with Ken Thompson
Schedule a meeting with George Zeno

Resources

• The Gates Foundation answered questions about Horizons and the RFP in two informational webinars.
  • Access the slides (PDF)
  • View the recording from August 16
  • View the recording from September 12
• Frequently asked questions: This document will be updated regularly
• Download the full RFP (PDF)
• Download the RFP to work offline (Google Doc)
• Guide for accessing data: This guide outlines steps for finding district and school-level data
• The following videos show how to find the district and school level data from ERDC, NCES, OSPI, and WSAC:
  • ERDC
  • NCES
  • OSPI
  • WSAC
• Site visit planning advisory: Details on the site visits for the five finalists

Questions

Get additional questions answered by emailing [email protected].