Application Review Panelists

 We need your voice, we need your experience, we need YOU!  

We invite you to get involved with the Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) to help close race-based opportunity gaps in education. Eliminating racial disparities and eliminating the systemic racial bias in education is important work that requires all of us to get involved. From City employees, to school leaders, to teachers, parents, grandparents, community members, and young people themselves.  

About DEEL

In November 2018, Seattle voters approved the $619 million Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy (FEPP) to close opportunity gaps and promote a prosperous economic future for Seattle's youth and families. The FEPP Levy will fund programs such as the Seattle Preschool ProgramK-12, school-based academic supports, afterschool and summer programming, The Seattle Promise, and much more! 

Open call for community review panelists  

DEEL is preparing to release a number of awards using FEPP Levy funds to organizations serving Seattle youth using a competitive funding process.

We are seeking community members to join our application review panels. Review panelists will read, score, discuss the merits of applications, and make a recommendation for funding decisions. You do not need prior experiencing rating or reviewing grant applications to apply. You do need a passion for improving educational outcomes for youth of color and a commitment to attend required trainings, score applications, and engage in thoughtful conversation with your review panel peers.  

DEEL seeks representation from the following intersecting communities in particular: young people in grades 6 through post-secondary, parents and guardians, immigrant and refugee, multilingual, communities of color, LGBTQ, and homeless.  

Community members volunteering their personal time to serve on a DEEL funding panel will be financially compensated through a stipend based on their participation. If selected to participate on a panel, community members will need to submit a W-9 form.   

Complete this short survey to express your interest! A DEEL staff member will contact you as opportunities to be involved arise.  

Please contact Mei-Li Thomas at mei-li.thomas@seattle.gov with any questions.