The Alan M. Painter Grant Program is officially open for 2027 applications.
This popular program supports community‑driven projects that foster inclusivity and strengthen unincorporated areas of King County. Funded projects benefit all community members—regardless of race, income, or language—and may not be used for political activities.
“The Alan M. Painter Grant Program continues to embody the mission of the Department of Local Services: to provide responsive, equitable, and effective local services,” said Department Director Leon Richardson. “Each year, we see how local vision and collaboration strengthen our neighborhoods across unincorporated King County. Whether it’s cultural celebrations, safety-focused gatherings, or creative projects that highlight our community’s unique identity, these grants help residents come together, share experiences, and build lasting improvements where we live.”
A total of $90,000 will be awarded in 2027, with individual grants of less than $5,000 per project. Funding for selected projects will begin in March 2027.
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17, 2026.
This year, 31 projects received funding, including:
- Holiday event to support Black-owned small businesses (District 2)
- 14-week summer concert series at Si View Park (District 3)
- Community baby shower and wellness fair for pregnant Latina Mothers (District 7)
- Upgrade a senior center’s cooling system to become a cooling center (District 8)
- Creating and installing 7 public signs to educate people about Maple Valley (District 9)
Learn more or apply at the Alan M. Painter Grant Program page: kingcounty.gov/alan-painter-grants.
Honoring Alan M. Painter
The King County Council renamed the grants program to honor Alan M. Painter, the founding director of King County’s Community Service Areas program. Painter, a long-time public servant, devoted his career to supporting communities across King County and previously served the City of Seattle.
The grant program bearing his name supports projects that align with the King County Strategic Plan and advance one or more of the following goals:
- Promote engagement of unincorporated area residents in community or civic activities
- Educate 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 its inception, King County has awarded more than $1 million to community organizations through this program.
