Summary

The grants—formerly known as Community Service Area grants—fund community projects that allow residents of the unincorporated areas to participate in, and be more connected to, their communities.

Story

Funded projects must demonstrate how activities are accessible to all residents regardless of race, income, or language spoken.

These funds may not be used for political activities.

A total of $90,000 will be reimbursed for projects in 2022, in individual grants of less than $5,000 per project. Funding for projects will begin in March 2022.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 3, 2021.

To learn more or to apply, visit the Local Services Programs page.

New namesake: Alan M. Painter

Earlier this year, the King County Council approved renaming the grants program to honor Alan M. Painter, the founding Director of King County’s Community Service Area Program and a long-time public servant who worked in the City of Seattle and in communities across King County.

The grants program is one Mr. Painter’s great legacies. He was appointed by King County Executive Dow Constantine as the Community Service Area Program Manager in 2012. At the time, the program was part of King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, where Painter led the program for many years.

Before being named CSA Program Manager, he had previously advised the Executive on human services, health, and housing policy, and was a former director of the Department of Human Services for the city of Seattle.

The grant program that will now bear his name supports projects that advance the King County Strategic Plan and achieve the following goals:

• Promote the engagement of unincorporated area residents in community or civic activities
• Educate local residents about issues that affect them
• Implement a community enhancement project
• Identify and gather community needs and priorities
• 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 proficiency

King County has awarded nearly $750,000 in grant money to community organizations since the program began. In 2021, community groups in the unincorporated areas competed for a total of $90,000 in grants, with awards ranging from $500 and $4,000 each.

QUOTES

• King County Executive Dow Constantine: “The grants program that Alan Painter helped build from the ground up now bears his name, and those of us who were lucky enough to witness his passion for community know that this recognition is wholly appropriate. Alan worked with me and in my office for years, and his insight, drive and compassion came through in everything he did. He served as a bridge between King County and its unincorporated areas, and he was inspired to bring people within a community together. This grant program is and will continue to be a testament to his service.”

   

• King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn: “Alan lived his life in service to others, driven by his desire to do good and truly make a difference. It is very appropriate that we honor his memory in this way, ascribing his name to the grant program that he himself helped create to better our unincorporated communities.”

   

• King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert: "Alan was a very kind man with great integrity and was a wonderful public servant. He worked hard to meet people’s needs and was a wonderful role model. He cared deeply about the Snoqualmie Valley and has often been said to be an honorary citizen of the valley! He will be missed."

   

• Local Services Director John Taylor: “The Alan M. Painter Grant Program helps Local Services’ goal of engaging and bringing our communities together. Whether it’s for a community festival or National Night Out event or youth summit, these grants can help organizations reach more people. And fittingly, the grants now pay tribute to Alan Painter, who established the blueprint for how Local Services can deliver these much-needed funds to the community.”

   

• Natural Resources and Parks Director Christie True: “Alan Painter’s exceptional career of service to the people of King County came from his deeply held commitment to treating everyone with fairness and respect, and from his perfected practice of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues and community members. His compassionate and positive mindset was a fixture at workshops and meetings across unincorporated King County.”

   

• CSA Liaison and Grants Program Coordinator Marissa Alegria: “I was fortunate enough to work with Alan when the program started in 2012. Alan was a strong supporter of grassroots, community-driven projects and programs. He wanted to make sure that we kept the process and application simple and provide as much technical assistance and support as needed for small communities and neighborhoods.”

   

• CSA Liaison Bong Sto. Domingo: “Alan was passionate about the community, and he was the perfect person to lead the Community Services Area program. He knew that navigating government was a struggle for our disenfranchised communities, but he understood that and made sure that we as liaisons ensure that we are creative in solving issues.”

LINKS

• Alan M. Painter Grant Program (Community Service Areas Programs)
• King County Council approves renaming the grants program