Native Youth Requst for Qualifications (RFQ)
Native Youth: Past, Present, Future
We are seeking a qualified organization to lead the development of a Native Youth Community Center in Seattle.
This project was selected and funded through Seattle’s Participatory Budgeting (PB) process. Now, we are looking for a community-based partner to bring it to life. Is that you?
This page provides an overview of the request for qualifications and answers to key questions.
The full RFQ document, Participatory Budgeting Request for Qualifications (RFQ), Native Youth: Past, Present and Future is available to download as a PDF file. Questions that applicants have will be asked and answered directly in the City's Procurement portal.
About This Project
The City of Seattle has committed one-time capital funding to support the development of a Native Youth Community Center.
This Center will:
- Serve and center urban Native youth and their families
- Strengthen cultural connection and intergenerational learning
- Provide space for wellness, education, and community gathering
- Welcome broader community members
The selected organization will be responsible for planning, designing, and delivering the project from pre-development through construction and opening. The project timeline is expected to last up to five years.
Project Origins
In 2020, the murder of George Floyd ignited national protests and renewed calls for racial justice and equitable public investment. In response, Seattle launched a Participatory Budgeting process, allocating $27.25 million in one-time funding. Community members were actively involved in deciding how to invest this fund.
Community members, with guidance from the PB Steering Committee, developed proposals submitted to PB Delegates and the Facilitator Working Group. Once finialized and placed on a ballot, projects were voted on to decide which projects should move forward. This project, Native Youth: Past, Present, Future was selected through that community vote.
This RFQ is the next step in making this Center real. It supports selecting the organization that will deliver the capital portion of this project, the Native Youth Community Center.
Who Should Apply?
Interested organizations should meet the following criteria:
- Has current site control of property within Seattle city limits (required)
- Experience in managing capital or construction projects
- Possesses strong relationships with Native youth and community
- Can lead community engagement in an authentic and culturally grounded way
- Capacity to manage a multi-year development project
If your organization does not currently own the property intended for development, you are not eligible for this opportunity.
What Will the Selected Organization Do?
The selected organization will:
- Manage pre-development work and help determine whether the site is feasible for development.
- Lead community engagement and visioning to ensure Native youth, families, and community members help shape the project.
- Oversee design work, permitting, and construction, while working closely with City staff throughout the process.
- Manage project budgets and contracts and provide regular updates to community partners and stakeholders.
We will partner in project oversight and compliance, but the selected organization will be responsible for leading day-to-day project delivery.
Application Timeline
RFQ released: March 16, 2026
Mandatory Pre-Submittal Virtual Meeting April 3, 2026, 1:00 PM
Attendance at the pre-submittal meeting is required to apply. The virtual meeting link can be found in the application materials in OpenGov.
Questions deadline in the OpenGov portal: April 13, 2026, 5:00 PM
Application Due: April 24, 2026, 5:00 PM
Interviews: May 11 through 15, 2026
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the City's Procurement Portal.
You must register in the portal before submitting. This may be a 10 minute process. If you need help activating your account, please email procurement-support@opengov.com. Late submissions will not be accepted.
How Applications Will Be Reviewed
Step 1: Minimum Requirement (Pass/Fail)
Demonstrate current site control within Seattle city limits
Step 2: Scored Review
We will evaluate:
- Experience managing capital projects
- Depth of community relationship and involvement
- Organizational readiness and capacity
Step 3: Interview (if needed)
Top applicants may be invited to interview.
Questions?
Patrice Thomas, Project Manager
Office of Planning and Community Development
Patrice.Thomas@Seattle.gov
(206) 256-6203
Please do not contact other City staff regarding this RFQ.
Our Commitment
This project is rooted in community decision-making and equity. We are seeking an organization that reflects and serves the Native communities this Center is intended to support.
About the Artist, Paige Pettibon
We are honored to collaborate with Paige Pettibon, a Tacoma-based multidisciplinary artist whose creative practice is deeply rooted in her Black, White, and Salish heritage as a citizen of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
Pettibon's partnership on this project reflects a shared commitment to centering Native youth voices, honoring cultural identity, and embedding creative expression within community development processes. Her visual language supports our broader body of work; which includes planning that uplifts Indigenous identity, strengthens intergenerational connection, and creates spaces where youth can see themselves reflected and empowered.
Learn more about Pettibon’s diverse body of work at www.PaigePettibon.com.