The Alan M. Painter 2025 Community Engagement Grant program is designed to fund community projects that foster greater participation and connection among residents of King County’s unincorporated Community Service Areas (CSAs). Projects must demonstrate accessibility to all residents, regardless of race, income, or language, and funds may not be used for political purposes. The application deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024.

A total of $90,000 will be available for reimbursement to selected projects, with individual grants limited to less than $5,000 per project. Funding for these projects will begin in March 2025, and recipients will be notified via a Letter of Award and Memorandum of Agreement. To be considered, projects must align with the goals of the King County Strategic Plan and meet at least one of the grant’s priority goals. These goals include promoting civic engagement, educating residents about local issues, gathering community priorities, carrying out enhancement projects, or providing safety during extreme weather events. The program also prioritizes projects that advance King County’s equity and social justice goals.

Eligible projects may involve community enhancement activities like graffiti removal, community planning, neighborhood clean-ups, or organizing events such as festivals or safety education. Projects must be completed in 2025 and demonstrate clear community engagement, results, and alignment with the grant’s objectives.

Organizations eligible to apply include community-led organizations based in King County’s unincorporated areas or those based in cities but serving unincorporated area residents. A 25% match of the total project cost is required, which can include volunteer time, in-kind contributions, or cash.

Applications can be submitted via email or by mail to King County Local Services, Attention: Marissa Alegria, who also serves as the primary contact for questions. Applicants are encouraged to contact her for guidance, especially if they need help designating a fiscal sponsor for their project. Grant recipients will need to keep detailed financial records and acknowledge King County’s contribution in all materials.

For more information or to apply, visit the King County website.