$2.6 Million Awarded to Support Outreach and Education to Seattle Workers
The Office of Labor Standards (OLS) announces the recipients of the 2026-2028 Community Outreach and Education Fund (COEF) cycle. Through a competitive selection process, OLS contracted out $2,690,000 to 11 organizations for 24-month contracts from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028. This round of funding includes a mix of organizations that have previously received funding and some that are new to OLS to further expand outreach and education to Seattle workers.
The COEF partners will use the funding to expand outreach, education, and technical assistance to Seattle workers about the City’s labor standards. Organizations had the opportunity to propose strategies for outreach and education to workers in arts and entertainment, broad-based labor standards, domestic work, and retail and restaurant. After an extensive Request for Proposal process, the following 11 organizations and collaborative partners were selected as the 2026-2028 COEF Awardees:
- Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance – Seattle Chapter
- Brother’s United in Leadership and Development (BUILD 206)
- Casa Latina
- Chinese Information and Service Center
- El Centro De La Raza
- Fair Work Center
- Greater Seattle Business Association Collaborative
- Horn of Africa Services
- New Americans Alliance for Policy and Research
- United Indians of All Tribes Foundation
- Villa Comunitaria
“We are fortunate to have these trusted partners that make up the Community Outreach and Education Fund. They are a vital lifeline for workers who keep Seattle thriving. By connecting with low-wage workers across industries with the highest violations, the fund provides trusted outreach and education, helping workers understand and exercise their rights. Together, these partnerships help make our city more affordable and continue to advance worker rights,” said Seattle Mayor Katie B. Wilson.
“Together with our community partners, OLS has helped thousands of workers in Seattle over the life span of our fund since 2015. Every funding cycle, we strengthen our resources and expand our reach to ensure workers have a trusted support system and are empowered with knowledge of their workplace rights,” said OLS Director Steven Marchese.
A portion of funding received by several organizations was made possible by the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs to supplement their labor standards outreach and education with outreach and education regarding immigration.
“The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs is proud to stand with workers and contribute to the Office of Labor Standards’ Community Outreach and Education Fund — a critical bridge in making sure that immigrant workers understand their rights and local labor laws,” said Interim Director of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Oksana Bilobran. “After community listening sessions and new cross-departmental planning, OIRA is proud to support immigrant communities through the services offered at Horn of Africa Services (HOAS), El Centro de la Raza, and Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC). With funding administered through the COEF program, Seattle’s immigrants and refugees will also be better equipped to exercise their rights both related to immigration and labor.”
“Many of our newly arrived refugees and immigrants face heightened vulnerability to labor standards violations due to limited English proficiency, unfamiliarity with U.S. labor laws, and fear of deportation should they report workplace violations. The funding from the Seattle Office of Labor Standards is instrumental in New Americans Alliance for Policy and Research’s (NAAPR) ability reach low-wage refugee and immigrant workers and to increase their awareness and understanding of Seattle labor standards with the goal of reducing workplace violations and ensuring workers know how to access available resources,” said NAAPR executive Director Dr. Someireh Amirfaiz
The COEF has supported community-based organizations to educate more than 10,000 workers and provide technical assistance, including intake and complaint resolution services, and deepen partnerships between community organizations. To learn more about the COEF fund and past recipients, please visit the COEF webpage at https://www.seattle.gov/laborstandards/funding/community-outreach-and-education-fund/coef-current-recipients.
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