Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced $27.8 million in awards to 33 projects through the Equitable Development Initiative (EDI), part of the City’s effort to support property ownership among Seattle’s diverse communities in neighborhoods at high risk of displacement.

The EDI Advisory Board and a community review panel assessed project recommendations through a facilitated consensus process, using public criteria to narrow grantee applications. This round of EDI funding welcomes a cohort of nine new EDI grantees, while meeting critical funding needs to move existing EDI projects toward completion. 

Administered by the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD), the EDI was created in 2016 to respond to the needs of marginalized communities, reduce disparities, and support organizational capacity building, property acquisition, and capital expenses. The initiative is championed by community groups concerned about displacement pressures and historical lack of investment that has occurred in communities of color in Seattle. 

"The Equitable Development Initiative is a cornerstone in our efforts to prevent displacement, foster inclusive growth, and build healthy, thriving communities,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “With this record investment, our city is continuing its commitment to Equitable Development Initiative projects that keep cultural communities rooted in the neighborhoods they call home. Our administration has been proud to champion funding for over $91 million in EDI awards over the past four years, ensuring our diverse communities can thrive in place for generations to come.” 

As a key inclusive growth and anti-displacement strategy, EDI fosters community leadership that promotes equitable access to jobs, education and childcare, outdoor space and recreation, cultural expression, healthy food, and other community needs and amenities. These funding partnerships are designed to build capacity of organizations to serve an array of fundamental needs among the most marginalized communities in Seattle. 

The program is based in shared decision-making and power, working towards racial equity outcomes that allow all communities to thrive. As the community-serving spaces and places funded by EDI become operable, funded organizations are providing public benefits in the form of services and programming that increase access to determinants of equity and reduce the risk of physical and cultural displacement. 

“The innovation and success of Equitable Development Initiative projects show what is possible when we invest directly in community-based organizations,” said Rico Quirindongo, Director of OPCD. “EDI centers the vision and leadership of those most impacted by displacement, supporting cultural place keeping and empowering people to shape their future as our city grows.” 

The following community-based organizations were selected to receive funding to support capital projects: 

2025 New EDI Grantees 

Current EDI Grantees working toward completion 

What People Are Saying: 

Michaya Pollard, Director, Food Resource Network- MLK Commissary Kitchen Project  

“I proposed this project because I’ve watched too many of our neighbors, elders, and small businesses get pushed out of the very community that shaped us. MLK Commissary Kitchen is my way of fighting for us—our culture, our food, our stories, and our right to stay and thrive here. I’m deeply excited to build this space because I know it will open doors for people who rarely get real chances. This funding is more than support for a project; it’s an investment in the people, our stability, and our future.” 

Eli Allison, Executive Director, Auto Repair Transformation 

"This investment from Seattle’s EDI program affirms what we’ve always known: solutions for equity must be led by the communities most impacted. At Auto Repair Transformation, we are proud to be a by-and-for organization building career pathways and transportation access rooted in lived experience. With this support, we’re expanding economic opportunity while transforming an industry that has long excluded us."   

John Rodríguez, EDI Advisory Board Member 

“This slate of organizations selected in this EDI grant round reflects the strength, diversity, and resilience of Seattle’s communities, rooted in community, driven by cultural wisdom, and committed to lifting up our historically underserved neighbors. The review process was collaborative, transparent, and centered on equity, and I’m proud to help support organizations creating meaningful impact citywide.” 

Amira Beasly, EDI Advisory Board Member 

“As a new EDI Advisory Board Member, serving on the RFP selection committee gave me a deeper look into some of the incredible projects being led by community-based organizations across Seattle, as well as valuable insight into the EDI RFP process itself. One of the things that resonated most with me during the proposal review process was the sheer breadth of community needs proposers are working to address, and the depth of community support behind their projects, demonstrated by strong partnerships and meaningful examples of community participation throughout their project planning. For me, this underscores the importance of directing public investments to those who are most attuned to the impacts of historic inequities and are deeply connected to the communities they serve.”