Kent nonprofit Open Doors loses two federal education grants

Leaders of Kent-based Open Doors for Multicultural Families believe the Trump administration “targeted” the nonprofit for federal grant cuts by the U.S. Department of Education in part because of its “commitment to culturally competent, anti-racist services.”

Open Doors recently announced the loss of two federal grants that its leaders said are critical to its mission of providing culturally responsive case management, programming, special education support and training services, and advocacy.

The first grant, awarded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Community Parent Resource Centers program, has been a cornerstone of the nonprofit’s work for 14 years, according to a recent Open Doors press release. The grant was $600,000, which had one year left at about $120,000 for the year, with the last two years also including an additional $30,000 for supplement services, according to an Oct. 7 email from Open Doors Deputy Director Nicole Barker.

The second federal grant, which is also managed through the U.S. Department of Education, which established Open Doors as a Parent Information and Training Program hub for the past 10 years, was not renewed for the upcoming cycle. That grant was for $1.5 million over five years, $300,000 per year, Barker said.

The decisions by the Trump administration left Open Doors leaders thinking there were targeted.

“We are deeply concerned that our commitment to culturally competent, anti-racist services may be the reason we were targeted,” said Open Doors Executive Director Ginger Kwan in a press release. “Our services are open to all, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, and we have always worked to serve those most marginalized by systems. These decisions not only impact our organization, but they also jeopardize the well-being of thousands of families who rely on our support to navigate complex education and disability systems.”

Open Doors works to transform the way disability services intersect with culture, race, and inclusion, according to its website. As a pioneering organization, the nonprofits works at the center of ableism and racism to build accessible, culturally responsive systems that empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families.

The Department of Education issued a notice of early termination, citing a shift in federal priorities, according to Open Doors.

“The Department has undertaken a review of grants and determined that the grant specified above provides funding for programs that reflect the prior administration’s priorities and policy preferences and conflict with those of the current administration… the grant is therefore inconsistent with, and no longer effectuates, the best interest of the federal government and will not be continued,” according to a statement received by Open Doors.

“Department staff identified that the Open Doors for Multicultural Family’s application for funding contains information indicating that the applicant has proposed project activities that conflict with the Department’s policy of prioritizing merit, fairness, and excellence in education. Specifically… ‘staff receive attitude-based training to improve the degree to which we offer culturally-competent, anti-racist services…providing our staff with racial equity trainings on a regular (roughly quarterly) basis.’”

The Department of Education issued similar reasons for denying the second grant.

It’s all part of a nationwide decision by the department to cancel millions of dollars in grants for special education teacher training, parent resource centers and more saying that they don’t align with Trump administration priorities, according to a report on disabilityscoop.com.

Open Doors said it didn’t get the grant despite receiving an average of 95 out of 100 possible points in all technical review areas.

Open Doors said it has long been a trusted resource for families who face systemic barriers due to language, culture, and disability. The organization’s approach centers on equity, inclusion, and community empowerment, values that have earned it national recognition and deep trust within the communities it serves.

Open Doors said the loss of these grants will significantly affect its ability to provide free, accessible services to families across King and Pierce counties. The organization is actively seeking alternative funding sources and calls on community partners, philanthropic organizations and elected officials to stand in solidarity during this critical time.

“We remain steadfast in our mission,” Kwan said. “We will not compromise our values, and we will continue to fight for the rights and dignity of our community.”

The nonprofit’s goal is for donations and potential state grants to cover the loss of federal funds.

“We are hoping to secure funding to cover the entire amount through donations, additional grant applications, foundations, and corporate donors,” said Barker, the deputy director. “Our goal is to be able to retain all staff and continue to provide a high level of support for our community. The number of people requesting our services has only continued to grow.”

The state Department of Social and Health Services Developmental Disabilities Community Services (DDCS) could be another option.

“We are also fast tracking the diversification of our funding to including looking at additional DDCS contracts and increasing our fee for service work,” Barker said.

Kent Multicultural Village plans

The loss of federal grants will not curtail plans by Open Doors to open an Early Learning Center and Family Resource Center at the proposed Kent Multicultural Village on the West Hill.

Open Doors received a $12 million state grant earlier this year to help build the community spaces.

“This loss of funding does not impact the Multicultural Village outside of the potential to decrease our current staff who will be vital as we transition into the planning and implementation of our services as we move into our new home in 2027,” Barker said.

Mercy Housing Northwest announced plans in 2024 for an $120 million project expected to include more than 220 affordable housing units, a six-classroom learning center, nearly 24,000 square feet of office and community space and approximately 4,000 square feet of retail/commercial space. The project is planned in the 23600 block of Pacific Highway South between the highway and the new Kent Des Moines light rail station. The village will be bounded by two new streets to the north and south, South 234th and South 236th.

“We are moving forward with closing and are looking forward to breaking ground in January 2026,” Barker said.

Open Doors plans to raise $3 million needed for the resource center to go with the $12 million state grant.

“We have secured a bridge loan to support the closing costs of this project as we continue to fundraise to cover all costs by the time construction is completed,” Barker said. “Our goal is to have the building 100% funded through a mixture of private and public funding and to not go into it with debt.”

For more information about Open Doors for Multicultural Families or to make a donation, go to opendoorswa.org.