Summary

Competitive grants from King County will help community organizations in unincorporated areas expand volunteer-driven projects and events.

Story

King County Executive Dow Constantine today announced 65 volunteer-led community projects and  events that will be expanded in unincorporated communities with grants of up to $3,000 each.

The Community Service Area Grants will enhance projects and events, such as providing First Aid classes, organizing music events and movie nights, restoring salmon habitats, purchasing a refrigerator for a food bank, preserving farmland, and more.

“Volunteer-driven projects that refurbish playgrounds and pools, restore forest trails, and add street lights make our communities safer, more vibrant, and better connected,” said Executive Constantine. “Our investments will catalyze the work led by volunteers so it benefits more people throughout King County.”

The community groups successfully competed for a total of $90,000 in grants, which range between $290 and $3,000 each. Community organizations are required to match at least one quarter of the total project costs. The projects much be accessible to all residents, regardless of race, income, or language spoken.

A few examples of the volunteer-led projects and events that successfully competed for grant funding include:

• Helping Redmond Ridge provide adult CPR, AED and First Aid classes
• Helping Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank purchase a new commercial-grade refrigerator
• Helping Trilogy at Redmond Ride restore a walking and equestrian trail
• Helping Sammamish Valley Alliance preserve farmland
• Helping Vashon Park District purchase a concert stage and tent for summer concerts in the park
• Helping Si View Metropolitan Park District host a family-friendly concert series at Si View Park
• Helping Rainier Foothills Wellness Foundation provide youth leadership opportunities
• Helping Vashon Maury Island Center Senior provide free tricycle rides to seniors who have limited mobility
• Helping West Hill Community Association host outdoor movies and a Halloween Eve event
• Helping Southwest Little League purchase new bats
• Helping Whitewater Aquatics Management in White Center replace the motor of its pool so it can be enjoyed by kids in lower-income neighborhoods

The competitive grants will help community organizations in each of King County’s Community Service Areas: Southeast King County, Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County, Vashon, Bear Creek/Sammamish, Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain, Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River, and West King County. 

“We received a record number of grant applications from across unincorporated King County and are pleased that we were able to fund a record number of the projects,” said Alan Painter, who manages King County’s Community Service Area Program. “Local residents showed they are creatively bringing their neighbors together with thoughtful and fun activities.”

Relevant links

• King County Community Service Areas

Quotes

Volunteer-driven projects that refurbish playgrounds and pools, restore forest trails, and add street lights make our communities safer, more vibrant, and better connected. Our investments will catalyze the work led by volunteers so it benefits more people throughout King County.

We received a record number of grant applications from across unincorporated King County and are pleased that we were able to fund a record number of the projects. Local residents showed they are creatively bringing their neighbors together with thoughtful and fun activities.

For more information, contact:

Chad Lewis, Executive Office, 206-263-1250