Information from the City of Burien

The City of Burien has launched its Neighborhood Grants Program to support community improvement projects throughout the city. The grant program offers up to $5,000 for each project. Community members must match the grant with an equal value of local resources, such as volunteer labor, donated materials, donated professional services, or cash.

 “This program offers money for community-driven projects, helping individuals bring their ideas to life and create positive change in their neighborhood,” said Josh Petter, City of Burien urban forest planner.

In addition to improving the community, projects that qualify for a neighborhood matching grant must meet other criteria, such as being within Burien city limits and ability to be completed by the end of 2025.

All projects must have a Neighborhood Project Coordinator who serves as a liaison between the City and the neighborhood during project development and implementation. 

Amanda McIntire, City of Burien planner, acknowledged that the program helps remove barriers and create opportunities that may not have been possible before. 

“This program will provide funding which can be matched with volunteer hours, making community improvements more attainable,” said McIntire. “For the first time, the Lunar New Year celebration [funded in part by the Neighborhood Grant Program] was hosted in Burien. Community members spoke of the importance of how it created a sense of belonging, as Burien has a robust Asian community.”  

Project applications will be evaluated based on their quality, neighborhood participation, feasibility, and public benefit.

Learn more about the program, including information in Spanish and Vietnamese, at burienwa.gov/NeighborhoodGrants.