Summary

Forty-three volunteer-led community events and projects will be supported in unincorporated King County communities with Community Engagement Grants of up to $4,000.

Story

Community groups in unincorporated King County competed for a total of $90,000 in grants. The grants awarded range between $500 and $4,000 each. Applicants had to match at least one quarter of the total cost of their projects, and the projects had to be accessible to all unincorporated residents, regardless of race, income, or language.

This year’s successful applicants include:

• Empower Youth Network (formerly Snoqualmie Valley Community Network)— Youth leadership summit.
• Mukai Farm and Garden—Japan Festival.
• Maple Hills Maintenance Company—National Night Out event.

Community Engagement 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
• 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

The competitive grants will help community organizations in each of King County’s Community Service Areas:

Southeast King County, Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County, Vashon-Maury Island, Bear Creek/Sammamish, Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain, Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River, and West King County (including Skyway, North Highline, East Renton, East Federal Way, and Fairwood).

QUOTES

King County Executive Dow Constantine: “The COVID-19 pandemic turned the worlds of community organizations across unincorporated King County upside down. The amazing thing is that the pandemic didn’t affect the drive by these grassroots organizations to bring people together—whether virtually or in person while social distancing—and make positive change in their communities. I firmly believe that unincorporated King County, and our region as a whole, are going to emerge from this stronger than ever. Providing this grant assistance is just one small way in which the county moves toward being a place where everyone can thrive.”

King County Local Services Director John Taylor: “Community organizations are vital in unincorporated King County, but they can be labors of love—even in normal times. It has been especially difficult for them during COVID-19 to engage with their community members. I’m happy that King County can lend a helping hand to groups and organizations that are dedicated to making their communities better places to live, work, and have fun.”

LINKS

• Community Engagement Grants
• Empower Youth Network
• Mukai Farm and Garden
• Maple Hills Maintenance Company
• King County Local Services