Community organizers in unincorporated King County can now apply for the 2025 Alan M. Painter Grant Program, which provides funding for local projects that strengthen community connections and foster civic engagement. Formerly known as the Community Service Area grants, this program aims to support initiatives that promote inclusivity and enhance quality of life, regardless of race, income, or language spoken.
A total of $90,000 in grant funds will be awarded in 2025, with individual project grants capped at under $5,000. The application deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024, and funding will be distributed beginning in March 2025. Projects receiving funding must focus on community engagement, education, or enhancing local spaces. However, the grants cannot be used for political activities.
King County Executive Dow Constantine emphasized the importance of these grants.
“The programs and events funded through the Alan M. Painter grants are vibrant, engaging, and truly community-focused. I am grateful that King County continues to build on Alan’s commitment to bringing people together,” said Constantine.
The grant program is named in honor of Alan M. Painter, the founding director of King County’s Community Service Areas program. Painter, a dedicated public servant, worked extensively to improve communities both in the City of Seattle and across King County. The grants in his name reflect his legacy of fostering inclusive, connected communities.
Since its inception, the program has awarded over $1 million to support community-driven projects throughout unincorporated King County. In 2024 alone, more than 40 projects were funded, including:
• Nia Fest in Skyway, celebrating positive Black culture
• A Music in the Park program in Cottage Lake
• Local farm programs in the Sammamish Valley
• Senior dance classes on Vashon Island
• Several National Night Out events and local farmers markets
These projects showcase the diversity of community-driven initiatives that the grants empower. Leon Richardson, Director of King County Local Services, highlighted the broader impact of the grants.
“The Alan M. Painter Grant Program embodies the spirit of community that Local Services strives to foster. It’s not just about funding—it’s about bringing people together, creating moments of connection, and enriching the lives of our neighbors. Whether it’s a vibrant community festival, a National Night Out gathering, or a youth summit, these grants empower organizations to reach further and touch more lives,” said Richardson.
The Alan M. Painter Grant Program supports the goals of the King County Strategic Plan and focuses on projects that achieve one or more of the following:
• Encouraging unincorporated area residents to engage in community or civic activities
• Educating locals on important issues that affect their communities
• Enhancing or improving public spaces and community resources
• Identifying and addressing community needs and priorities
• Meeting King County’s equity and social justice goals by increasing opportunities for people of color, low-income residents, and those with limited English proficiency
Interested community groups and organizers can find more information or submit applications by visiting the Alan M. Painter Grant Program page on the King County website. The grants present an opportunity to enhance community engagement and create lasting impacts in unincorporated King County neighborhoods.
