Alan M. Painter Community Engagement Grants

Alan M. Painter Community Engagement Grants is sponsored by King County. This program funds community projects that help residents in King County's unincorporated Community Service Areas participate in—and be more connected to—their communities and to King County.

Applicants must demonstrate how their project is accessible to all residents, regardless of race, income, or language spoken.

Alan M. Painter Grants - King County, Washington Official government websites use . gov Website addresses ending in .

gov belong to official government organizations in the United States. to the . gov website.

Only share sensitive information on official, secure websites. More than 30 projects and programs across all unincorporated King County will receive a total of $90,000 in Alan M. Painter grants in 2026.

See the list of 2026 awards A total of $90,000 will be reimbursed for projects in 2026. Funding for projects will begin in March 2026. The King County Department of Local Services will provide funds to selected projects through a Letter of Award and Memorandum of Agreement.

Amounts will be limited to less than $5,000 per project. A complete list of selected projects is posted on this website after funding decisions have been made.

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 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 Some example project types Community enhancement projects, such as graffiti removal or neighborhood cleanup Community-led planning or training on King County government operations and programs, opportunities for involvement with King County programs, or community priorities Neighborhood or community signs Community events like concerts, festivals, and education and/or safety events How we choose projects to fund Priority will be given to project applications that… Are one-time only or are time limited and will be finished in 2026 Clearly address one or more of this grant program’s funding priority goals (see above) Fund services, resources, or activities that are located in, and serve target populations in, an unincorporated King County Community Service Area—and are free and open to all members of the public Detail how the funded services, resources, or activities will be accessible to all residents, regardless of race, income, or language spoken Detail how the funded services, resources, or activities will encourage community engagement and high community participation Detail clear outcomes or results and a specific work plan to achieve them Detail community outreach and support Detail community support based on the level of community involvement by the project partners Have a budget that is realistic and achievable, and a funding request that is specific and attributable to the project Have a project match of at least 25% of the total project budget (see details below).

Note: geographic distribution of funds will be considered. A minimum match of 25% of the total project cost is required. This match can be in the form of volunteer time, cash, or other forms of in-kind services and/or other resources from project partners and contributors.

Locally based, community-led organizations in King County’s unincorporated community service areas Organizations that are based in a city but serve unincorporated area residents and/or encourage collaboration and partnership in unincorporated King County If your organization is not incorporated, you must designate a fiscal sponsor that is incorporated. We encourage partnership with local nonprofits.

Please contact us via the methods listed at the top of this page for guidance and support. All funded projects must be finished in 2026.

Reasonable expenses that are attributable to, and clearly needed for, the project and outlined in the budget Grant funds may not be used for political activity Grant funds are not intended to support infrastructure or ongoing operational costs of locally funded governmental organizations, except where the organization is seeking grant funding to support one or more one-time volunteer events King County reserves the right to determine the nature and manner in which costs and items will be paid for in any grant Reporting and other requirements Grant recipients must submit a final report documenting that the outcomes and measures defined for project success were met.

Project results may be published in a report that will be available online. Funding recipients must acknowledge King County’s contribution to the funded event or project. The grant recipient is responsible for establishing a record keeping system that includes a breakdown of cash and in-kind contributions as well as grant funds, and must keep these records for three years after the project is finished.

Tax reporting is the responsibility of the grant recipient. Funding recipients may be asked to participate in, and/or provide input on, King County Local Services programs and projects. Community service areas in unincorporated King County King County’s unincorporated area is made up of seven community service areas.

Find a map and descriptions of these areas on the Community Service Areas page . Use this interactive map to find out which community service area you are in. Grant applications for 2026 are now closed.

Download the grant information (PDF) (if desired) and an application form (MS Word) . Completed application forms may be submitted in the following ways: By email: AskLocalServices@kingcounty. gov By US Mail or in-person delivery: King County Local Services Completed applications must be received by 5 p.

m. on December 5, 2025. Information for Alan M.

Painter Grant recipients Allowed costs, reporting, and other requirements Learn about the seven community service areas that make up unincorporated King County Am I in unincorporated King County?

Enter your address to see if you’re in unincorporated King County and, if so, which community service area you’re in King County services in unincorporated areas Links to King County services, work plans, initiatives, and projects in your community