King County is launching a new cycle of its participatory budgeting program, with $1.1 million available through the Uplift White Center Community Fund for projects in White Center and North Highline, according to King County.

The funding is part of $2.7 million in community directed grant money available in the unincorporated urban areas of White Center, North Highline, Skyway and West Hill.

The request for proposals period is expected to open Sept. 14, with proposals due by 11:59 p.m. Oct. 11, according to the county.

“The Uplift White Center Community Fund grant opportunity has been crafted to help as many community members as possible in truly impactful ways,” said Frida Hernandez Perez, White Center Community Advisory Board co chair. “The Community Advisory Board is made up of real people who have the best interest of White Center at heart.”

Info Session is Sept. 15

An information session for the White Center fund is scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 15 at the White Center Library, 1409 SW 107th St. in Seattle. Technical assistance will be available for proposal writers.

Skyway and West Hill will have $1.6 million available through the Elevate Skyway Community Fund. An information session for that fund is scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Skyway Resource Center, 12610 76th Ave. S. in Seattle.

King County also will offer a virtual technical assistance presentation for proposal writing from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 21 via Zoom. Interpretation will be available for the virtual session for those who register and indicate which language is needed. An in person technical assistance presentation with one on one support is scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 23, with the location to be determined.

Participatory budgeting allows residents to help determine how public funds are allocated, with a focus on civic participation, racial equity and investments in communities that have historically been underrepresented, according to King County.

Earlier this year, King County convened a Community Advisory Board made up of leaders from White Center and Skyway. The board designed the 2026 community led grantmaking process, including funding focus areas, application requirements and the community review structure.

Local organizations and community led projects may submit proposals. Those proposals will be reviewed and rated by community members who successfully apply to be reviewers. This year’s cycle will not include a full community vote, according to the county.

“This is what it looks like when community leads and government listens,” said Gloria Briggs, program manager. “Together, dedicated community members have shaped a Participatory Grantmaking process rooted in their lived experience, priorities, and vision.”

King County launched the participatory budgeting program in 2021. The program has funded nearly 90 community projects in unincorporated King County, with nearly 7,500 community votes cast across the first two cycles directing more than $20 million in investments.

Past and ongoing projects have included construction support for the Khmer Community Center in White Center, renovations for the White Center Food Bank, support for the purchase of the Silent Task Force Task House in Skyway, youth mentorship and leadership development programs, community mental health and well being programs, food security programs, environmental stewardship projects and economic development projects.

More information is available at kingcounty.gov/local-services/PB.