Every year, the Alan M. Painter Grant Program awards grants to different projects and investments throughout unincorporated King County that “promote inclusivity and enhance communities across the unincorporated areas, regardless of race, income, or language spoken.”

On April 2, it was announced that $90,000 was awarded to 50 different projects and programs. Six of those projects were spread throughout Fairwood, the unincorporated area of King County that identifies with the city of Renton.

“The Department of Local Services is committed to supporting people and communities across unincorporated King County,” said Leon Richardson, Director of Department of Local Services. “The Alan Painter grants bring people together and enrich lives through vibrant and diverse events and programs developed by communities, for the communities.”

The Fairwood Community Group Fairwood Night Market received $3,000 from the program. Established in 2022 by the nonprofit organization Fairwood Community Group, the Night Market runs from May to October on the second Wednesday of each month from 4 to 8 p.m. Operating out of Northwood Middle School in Renton, the Fairwood Night Market works to foster “community engagement through arts, culture, and local business support.”

The Fairwood Community Group also received an additional $1,000 through the grant to go toward “community education and outreach materials.”

The Fairwood Greens Homeowners’ Association (HOA) received $2,000 for the HOA’s Last Splash of Summer community event. Located near the Fairwood Library and Fairwood Golf and Country Club, this HOA has hosted a Last Splash of Summer event in the past where the community enjoyed hot dogs, shaved ice, bounce houses and more in Allen Park.

The Lake Desire Community Club received a combined $2,800 for two community needs, with $2,000 going toward a generator for the community clubhouse and $800 going toward the community club’s National Night Out event, which takes place every first Tuesday of August.

Woodside HOA also received money for its National Night Out, totalling $1,500. Woodside is located near Petrovitsky Park in Fairwood.

The grant program, which has been around since 2018, honors Alan M. Painter, who was the founding director of King County’s Community Service Area program and a “longtime public servant who worked for the City of Seattle before coming to King County, where he served communities across the county.”

The goals of the grant program is to support community projects that do the following:

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-related 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.

For more information, visit kingcounty.gov/alan-painter-grants