King County’s Department of Local Services today announced $90,000 in Alan M. Painter grants for 2026.

The grants support projects that will bring together and strengthen communities across unincorporated King County. The grant program focuses on inclusivity, funding events and projects that are open to everyone regardless of race, income, or language spoken. 

This 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 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  

“A sense of community is what binds people together, no matter where you are in unincorporated King County,” Department of Local Services Director Leon Richardson said. “Through the Alan M. Painter grants, the Department of Local Services supports people and organizations who share that goal: to bring their communities together. These vibrant and diverse events and programs are developed by communities, for the communities, which makes these grants something everyone can support and be excited about.” 

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 events such as the Fall City Days Festival, a community baby shower and wellness fair for pregnant Latina mothers in the East Federal Way area, and an annual expo to share community and showcase local businesses in White Center. 

• Community recreation such as a “Heal & Build” basketball tournament in Skyway to unite youth and adults through sports membership, and providing outdoor education experiences for teenagers in the Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain area. 

• Community history and cultural projects such as installing public signs to educate visitors in the Greater Maple Valley area, free outdoor concerts on Vashon Island, and the Fairwood Market Night. 

The Technology Access Foundation in White Center was awarded $2,000 to host an annual expo to share community and showcase local businesses.

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