King County is offering $900,000 in new grant funding for community-led tourism projects aimed at celebrating local culture and history while strengthening neig
King County is offering $900,000 in new grant funding for community-led tourism projects aimed at celebrating local culture and history while strengthening neighborhood economies, county officials announced.
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay said the competitive request for proposals will support projects that “celebrate cultural heritage, strengthen local economies, create jobs, and help communities experiencing residential and cultural displacement remain rooted in their neighborhoods.”
Through the Request for Proposals portal (RFP), King County plans to award grants ranging from $30,000 to $150,000, with up to $900,000 awarded in total.
The county describes community-led tourism as an approach that puts residents and local organizations at the center of how their communities are represented and experienced, with the goal of ensuring economic benefits stay within the community.
“Our local food, art, traditions, and gathering places are part of what makes King County such a unique and vibrant place to live and visit,” Zahilay said. “Community-led tourism is about making sure the people who create the vibrancy have a say in how their communities and cultures are shared – and that they benefit from the opportunities that come with it. This is the kind of economic development that supports local businesses, creates jobs, and celebrates the diversity of our communities.”
The county said funding can support public events, art, cultural activities, and other projects that celebrate and preserve cultural traditions; share the history and experiences of a community or neighborhood; and create opportunities for residents and visitors to experience the people, places, and traditions that make King County communities unique.
All funded projects must be free and accessible to the public, according to the county. A full list of eligible activities is available in the RFP.
The RFP is a partnership between the King County Equitable Development Initiative, housed within the Department of Community and Human Services, and the King County Executive Office. The EDI program works with communities at risk of displacement to support community-led development and preserve cultural identity, community connections and access to place.
King County said the investment is intended to give communities experiencing residential and cultural displacement more resources to tell their own stories, preserve and share traditions, strengthen local economies and steward places with cultural and community significance.
A King County EDI Interim Advisory Board comprised of 11 community leaders was established to provide community oversight, and a workgroup of the board worked with DCHS and the Executive Budget Team to determine criteria and strategic priorities for the RFP.
Applicants are asked to review the full RFP for eligibility criteria, priorities, and the evaluation and selection process. Completed applications, including a proposed budget and workplan, are due Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, at noon. Contracts are expected to begin Jan. 1, 2027.
