Department of Local Services announces $90,000 in Alan M. Painter grants for communities across unincorporated King County

APRIL 02, 2025

SUMMARY

King County announced more than $90,000 in Alan M. Painter grants to support more than 50 projects and investments that promote inclusivity and enhance communities across the unincorporated areas, regardless of race, income, or language spoken.

STORY

King County’s Department of Local Services announced $90,000 in Alan M. Painter grants to support 50 projects and programs across unincorporated King County.

The Alan M. Painter grant program supports projects and investments that promote inclusivity and enhance all communities, regardless of race, income, or language spoken. This popular program honors Alan M. Painter, the founding director of King County’s Community Service Area program and a long-time public servant who worked for the City of Seattle before coming to King County, where he served communities across the county.

The grants support projects that advance the King County Strategic Plan and achieve at least one of the following goals:

• Promote the engagement of unincorporated area residents in community or civic activities
• Educate local residents about issues that affect them
• Identify and gather community needs and priorities
• Carry out a community enhancement project
• Provide a safe and healthy environment in the unincorporated area during extreme weather-related events
• 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. This year, the grants will again support projects across all areas of unincorporated King County, including:

• Community enhancement and sign projects, such as the design and installation of a "Welcome to Skyway" mural, a new map for the Fall City Metropolitan Park District, and Fall City Days cultural signage
• Community-led planning or training, such as education events to support Sammamish Valley farmers and producers 
• Community events, such as the train show in Ravensdale, the Fairwood Night Market, and the Japan Festival at the Mukai Farm and Garden on Vashon Island
• Community support such as the North Bend Art and Industry scholarship program and emergency essentials at the Family Resource Center at White Center Heights Elementary School

For a full list of recipients, see the grant program website here.

QUOTES

• Department of Local Services Director Leon Richardson: “The Department of Local Services is committed to supporting people and communities across unincorporated King County. The Alan Painter grants bring people together and enrich lives through vibrant and diverse events and programs developed by communities, for the communities.”

LINKS

• Alan M. Painter Grant Program

MEDIA CONTACT

Brent Champaco, Department of Local Services, brent.champaco@kingcounty.gov, 206‑477‑9094