White Center Now: The blog about White Center

King County’s unincorporated urban areas – including White Center/North Highline – have a new round of participatory budgeting under way. Here’s the announcement we received, explaining what’s happening:

King County’s Department of Local Services has launched the 2026 Participatory Budgeting process, an initiative that puts residents in Skyway/West Hill and White Center/North Highline in charge of deciding how $2.7 million in county funding will be invested directly in the communities.

A newly convened Community Advisory Board of 29 local leaders and residents is developing the framework for this year’s community-led grantmaking process. From setting funding priorities to designing the Request for Proposals (RFP), the Board will ensure that every dollar reflects real community needs, lived experience, and grassroots aspirations. Later this summer, additional residents will be recruited as paid Community Proposal Reviewers to evaluate submissions and help shape funding recommendations.

“The Community Advisory Board reflects what makes Skyway/West Hill and White Center/North Highline strong: diversity, lived experience, and a shared commitment to shaping a future rooted in community priorities,” said Leon Richardson, Director of the Department of Local Services. “We appreciate that community leaders and residents have stepped forward to help us put decision-making directly in the hands of people who live, work, and care for these communities every day.”

A proven model with real community impact

Since its launch in 2021, King County’s Participatory Budgeting program has invested more than $20 million in projects and programs chosen directly by residents. These investments have already developed visible, community-driven improvements.

“The true measure of success is not the dollars invested; it is the power returned to community,” said Gloria Briggs, Program Manager of the Participatory Budgeting program. “Over the past five years, Participatory Budgeting has shown that when residents are trusted to lead, $20 million becomes more than an investment; it becomes a legacy of equity, partnership, and lasting community transformation.”

Some examples of investments include:

-Speak With Purpose public speaking program: Funding to expand in-school training that empowers youth to advocate for themselves and their community; it is not being offered at all four Title IV schools in Skyway/West Hill.
-Skyway beautification: Funding for cultural art installations and community garden at the new Black Panther Park in Skyway.
-Khmer Community and Cultural Center: Support to complete construction of a new center that serves as a community hub for Khmer community’s cultural preservation, education, and celebration.
-Free swim classes: Funding so the Evergreen Aquatic Center in White Center could offer free swimming lessons for low-income youth.

Community-led investments in 2026

This year, residents will guide the investments of approximately $2.7 million in grants to community organizations and groups:

-Skyway/West Hill: $1.6 million
–White Center/North Highline: $1.1 million

These investments will support community-informed solutions, strengthen neighborhoods, and align with what residents say matter most.

Community voices at the center

This summer, the Community Advisory Board has been building the foundation for an equitable and transparent grant-making process. They have:

Grounded their work in the core values and principles of participatory budgeting and participatory governance.
-Developed a clear governance structure and decision-making approach.
-Formed committees to design key components of the grantmaking process, including the Request for Proposals (RFP), proposal review process, community outreach strategies, and funding recommendations.
-Begun crafting the tools, policies, and engagement plans that will guide this year’s participatory grantmaking process.

The Community Advisory Board is expected to complete the design phase this summer.

The Request for Proposals is expected to open near the end of August 2026, giving eligible organizations and community groups the chance to apply for funding shaped directly by local priorities. Free technical assistance also will be offered.

More ways for community residents to lead

This process does not stop with the Community Advisory Board. Later this summer, King County will ask additional residents to serve as paid Community Proposal Reviewers. These reviewers will evaluate project proposals using criteria developed by the Community Advisory Board—ensuring decisions remain community-rooted, transparent, and aligned with what residents have said they want.

Community Advisory Board members

White Center:

Carlisia Minnis
Carlos Jesus Fernandez
Carlos Roland
Claudia Veronica Guzman Gonzalez
Donna Chan
Frida Hernandez Perez
Heather Patrick
Irving Chu
Jennifer Landree
Jose Ortuzar
Quynh Trinh
Sam Townsend Jr
Sambath Eat
Sinina Moeun-Wildman
Sok Ouk

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