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King County Washington home

Current opportunities

2026 Participatory Grantmaking

Since 2021, King County’s Participatory Budgeting Program has invested more than $20 million in projects chosen directly by community members in urban unincorporated areas. Grounded in the belief that communities know best what they need, the program is launching a new participatory grantmaking process in 2026 to further deepen community leadership and shared decision-making.

The new Participatory Budgeting Community Advisory Board will bring together community members to help shape how funding decisions are made and how the community is engaged. Board members will co-create board agreements and accountability practices, help define the 2026 participatory grantmaking process, guide outreach and engagement efforts, and finalize key tools such as board guidelines and the Participatory Budgeting Request for Proposals.

King County welcomes applicants who live, work, attend school, or worship in—or have strong ties to—Skyway/West Hill and/or White Center/North Highline, especially those who have experienced displacement or inequity. No prior experience is needed. Lived experience, perspective, and commitment to community are what matter most. This paid volunteer opportunity offers community members a meaningful chance to help shape investments rooted in equity, transparency, and trust.

Applications to join the Community Advisory Board will be accepted through Sunday, June 7.

How it works

  • Community Advisory Board

    People who live, work, go to school, or worship in—or have strong ties to—the urban unincorporated areas of Skyway and White Center/North Highline co-create the Participatory Grantmaking process.

  • Community outreach

    Residents are invited to participate through local events, partnerships, outreach campaigns, and community information sessions.

  • Proposal development

    Community organizations submit proposals that address local needs and priorities with community-driven solutions.

  • Community review and engagement

    A diverse panel of community members reviews and rates proposals based on impact, feasibility, equity, and community benefit. Community information sessions gather additional community insight, input, and feedback to help inform proposal prioritization.

  • Proposal prioritization

    Community review panel members incorporate community feedback and proposal ratings to help identify funding recommendations and priority projects.

  • Award and implementation

    Selected projects are awarded funding and supported through implementation and ongoing program oversight.

Who can participate

Community members, nonprofit organizations, and local groups in King County's unincorporated areas are eligible to propose projects and participate in the voting process. No prior grant experience is required.

Preliminary timeline

  • Applications open

    Spring 2026

  • Request for proposals open

    August 2026

  • Community review

    Fall 2026

  • Award announcements

    Winter 2026