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The Port of Seattle is now accepting applications from community-based organizations for projects that improve the environment in historically underrepresented communities that surround Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and South King County, extending up to Beacon Hill, Rainier Valley, and the Duwamish Valley.
A total of $500,000 is available in this cycle of the South King and Port Communities Fund (formerly the South King County Community Impact Fund) Environmental Improvements Program (EIP). Organizations can apply for up to $20,000 for a single year of funding or up to $60,000 for multiyear funding (up to three years). Community-based organizations with a 501(c)3, a 501(c)6, or a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 are eligible to apply. Proposals must be submitted by 12 p.m. PST on October 31, 2025.
The Environmental Improvements Program (EIP) — formerly the Environmental Grants Program — invites community-led groups to apply for funding for activities such as:
- Habitat and park restoration and tree planting
- Environmental education programs
- Park or playground enhancements
- Public art installations with an environmental focus
Funding and partnerships with community-based organizations are part of the Port’s commitment to improving green spaces, restoring forests, and enhancing livability in communities around the airport. Communities in South King County disproportionately experience environmental harm due to a long history of inequitable land use and economic displacement, which have pushed many marginalized communities farther south.
“This funding helps create cleaner, greener, and healthier public spaces that everyone can enjoy and take pride in — it truly strengthens our community. We successfully planted over 200 trees and shrubs, removed invasive species, and installed recycling bins and educational signage throughout the park. Our office is located right by the park, and we feel proud and happy to see the park greener and cleaner every day — it motivates our team and brings joy to local families,” said Armaye Eshete, Executive Director of Serve Ethiopians Washington.
Expanding impact in 2025 and beyond
In 2024, the Port of Seattle Commission authorized $14 million, up from $10 million the previous five years, to continue South King and Port Communities Fund (SKPCF) community-led projects that advance equity, environmental improvements, and access to jobs in port-related industries. Since its launch in 2020, the program has revolutionized how the Port works with communities to improve access to funding opportunities. SKPCF investments have fostered new partnerships with BIPOC-led, community-based organizations and increased support of structurally excluded communities of color.
Updates with the 2025-2029 funding cycles include:
- Reducing the match requirement for recipient organizations from 3:1 to 2:1, according to Washington state law
- Expanding the eligible geographic region to include areas of South King County, the Duwamish Valley, and Beacon Hill that the Port of Seattle’s Equity Index identifies as having disparities
- Continuing to prioritize the Port’s commitment to the six near-airport cities and identifying how applications for projects in those cities will receive priority status
“The reauthorization and expanded funding of the South King and Port Communities Fund reflects our deep commitment to the health and vitality of this region,” said Port of Seattle Commission President Toshiko Hasegawa. “By expanding eligibility to include underrepresented neighborhoods in South King County and South Seattle, and by lowering barriers such as the match requirement for organizations, we are opening the door for more communities to directly access resources and thrive.”
How to apply
Visit the Environmental Improvements Program web page to:
- Learn about the application process and required materials
- Review past funded projects
- Submit an application for funding
- Sign up for program updates
- Register for an application session to learn more about the application process
About the South King and Port Communities Fund (SKPCF)
The Port established the South King County Community Impact Fund (now South King and Port Communities Fund) in 2019 to develop equity-based partnerships and provide resources and support to historically underserved, ethnically and culturally diverse near-airport communities. From 2020 to 2024, the SKCCIF launched four cycles of the Economic Recovery (now Economic Opportunities for Communities) program and the Environmental Grants (now the Environmental Improvement) program, to fund community-led projects that create pathways to training and well-paying jobs, and to fund environmental improvements. Since the fund’s inception, more than 50 organizations have received a total of $9.25 million, which has funded over 80 projects.
Contact
Perry Cooper | SEA Airport
(206) 787-4923 | [email protected]
