Community organizations serving District 4 awarded $180k in grants in latest county supplemental budget

July 17, 2024

With the King County Council’s approval Tuesday of a $178 million supplemental budget, Councilmember Jorge L. Barón announced $180,000 in grant awards to community organizations serving King County Council District 4.

"I am inspired by the quality work happening each day in our community. Every one of these organizations is working to eliminate inequity, create opportunities, and foster the well-being of residents,” Barón said. “These investments will connect seniors and unhoused neighbors to resources, grow access to athletics for young people and adults in areas where they’ve not been historically welcomed such as in aquatics and skateboarding, and ensure that people will see themselves reflected through the arts. I am thrilled to support these important efforts, especially for those organizations receiving a district grant award for the first time.”

The awards will fund a host of needs in the community, including food security programs, financial assistance, social work, recreation, arts and more. Grants are awarded through several programs, including Community Service Organizations, Local Solutions, the Get Active, Stay Active program, and Veteran Service Organizations.

“Ballard NW Senior Center is a place where older adults gather to make social connections and create community,” said Matt King, executive director of Ballard NW Senior Center. “We are grateful for Councilmember Barón’s support and the support of the King County Council for our work to promote the social, emotional and physical well-being of seniors in District 4. Grant funds will help our Social Worker connect seniors with vital services like housing, transportation, food, and mental health services. Thank you!”

Organizations receiving grants in this supplemental budget are:

• Associated Recreation Council -- $47,500 to the Swim Seattle program to provide swim lessons that will prevent drownings and promote youth aquatics
• Skate Like A Girl -- $47,500 to fund lessons, equipment, and other resources for skateboarding programs
• Belltown Artwalk and Slip Gallery -- $5,000 for gallery operations to showcase and support new and emerging artists
• Chief Seattle Club -- $5,000 to install artwork by American Indian/Native Alaskan artists at the Goldfinch Apartments
• Partners in Print -- $5,000 for space acquisition to support classes and workshops in letterpress and printing arts
• Aurora Commons -- $10,000 to improve food security and increase offerings of culturally appropriate foods
• Ballard Food Bank -- $7,500 to build stability for community members through financial assistance
• Ballard Senior Center -- $7,500 for the Social Work program to connect seniors to resources supporting basic needs such as food, housing, transportation, and physical and mental health
• Mary’s Place -- $10,000 to support women, parents, and children experiencing homelessness
• Queen Anne Helpline -- $2,500 to provide immediate financial assistance to neighbors in crisis
• Sexual Violence Law Center -- $10,000 to provide timely and accurate legal assistance and consultations to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence
• Solid Ground -- $10,000 to connect families with children experiencing homelessness with permanent housing through the JourneyHome Rapid ReHousing program
• Nomad Boxing Club -- $5,000 for the 3^rd Annual Bumblebee Memorial Box-off, in which young people will be participants, staff, and producers of the boxing tournament
• Outreach and Resource Services -- $7,500 for a digital arts program for women veterans that will build community and connection for participants

“As a nonprofit, we serve many with limited resources,” said Riddhi Mukhopadhyay, director of the Sexual Violence Law Center. “Councilmember Barón's community grant will allow the Sexual Violence Law Center to increase a survivor's access to trauma-informed attorneys who advocate for survivor privacy, safety, and civil rights in King County.”

Grant recipients were identified following a process in which Councilmember Barón invited all eligible parties interested in these one-time funds and with a connection to District 4 to apply in spring 2024. Those seeking future funding are invited to contact him directly for more information about upcoming grant opportunities in advance of the County Council’s budget deliberation process, expected to begin in fall 2024.