Attention community project organizers: King County wants to help support you in bringing the community together.

The Alan M. Painter Grant Program is now accepting applications for 2025. One of the Department of Local Services’ most popular programs, they focus on projects and investments that promote inclusivity and enhance their communities, regardless of race, income, or language spoken.

A total of $90,000 will be awarded for projects in 2025, in individual grants of less than $5,000 per project. Funding for the projects will begin in March 2025. Funds may not be used for political activities. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 13.

More than 40 projects and programs received money in 2024, including the following recipients:

  • Nia Fest, which celebrates positive Black culture in Skyway
  • A Music in the Park program in Cottage Lake
  • Local farm programs in the Sammamish Valley
  • Senior dance classes on Vashon Island
  • Several local National Night Out celebrations and local farmer’s markets

To learn more or to apply, visit the Alan M. Painter Grant Program page (www.kingcounty.gov/alan-painter-grants).

Alan M. Painter

The King County Council approved renaming the grants program to honor Alan M. Painter, the founding director of King County’s Community Service Areas program. Alan was a long-time public servant who also worked in the City of Seattle and communities across King County.

  • The grant program that now bears his name supports projects that advance the King County Strategic Plan and achieve one or more of the following goals:
  • Promote the engagement of unincorporated area residents in community or civic activities.
  • Educate local residents about issues that affect them.
  • Enhance a community.
  • Identify and gather community needs and priorities.
  • Meet King County’s equity and social justice goals of increasing fairness and opportunity for all people, particularly people of color and those with low incomes and/or limited English.

Since the program began, King County has awarded more than $1 million in grant money to community organizations.