King County - Alan M. Painter Grants

These grants fund community projects that help residents in King County’s unincorporated areas participate in—and be more connected to—their communities and King County.

To receive funding under this program, applicants must demonstrate how their project is accessible to all residents, regardless of race, income, or language spoken. These funds may not be used for political purposes.

The program name honors Alan M. Painter, the founding director of King County’s Community Service Areas program and a long-time public servant who worked for the City of Seattle before joining King County, where he served communities across the county.

Since the program began, King County has awarded more than $1 million in grant money to community organizations in unincorporated areas (areas that are inside King County and outside city limits).

Applications for 2026 grants are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 5, 2025.
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 will be available on this website after funding decisions have been made.

Alan M. Painter Grants will 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 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

Learn more and apply here: Alan M. Painter Grants - King County, Washington

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