PACE E-Newsletter: April 2026

In advance of People's Academy for Community Engagement (PACE) cohort opportunities opening up this year, we want to keep sharing out information on other civic engagement programs, learning opportunities, and ways to get involved. There is a lot happening at the moment, so we're sending this update a little earlier in the month than usual!

Please see items under these topics below:

• Turn Curiosity into Civic Power: Get Up to $5,000 for Community-Led Projects
• Learning Opportunities, Resources, and Community Events
• Commission, Panel, and Volunteer Opportunities
• Input Opportunities and Surveys
• Funding, Art Opportunities, and Free Resources
• Programs and Opportunities for Youth

If you have any questions, please contact PACE@seattle.gov.

Turn Curiosity into Civic Power: Get Up to $5,000 for Community-Led Projects

The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is funding community-led projects that help people learn how to engage with local government and use their voice to shape Seattle’s future.

Through the Neighborhood Matching Fund Small Sparks Fund, neighborhood groups, community organizations, informal groups, and business groups can apply for grants of up to $5,000. These funds can be used to support creative, accessible projects that make local government easier to understand and easier to participate in.

Check out ideas for what projects could look like and learn more about how to apply on Seattle Department of Neighborhoods' Blog.

Learning Opportunities, Resources, and Community Events

NEW

• Kick Off the Garden Season at the P-Patch Earth Day Resource Fair - April 25
• Neighbor Day is May 2
• Apply to 2026-2027 Public Art Boot Camp by May 18
• Second Tribal Nations Summit Report Released
• Seattle Office of Police Accountability Community Engagement Meeting Request Form

ONGOING

• Interested in becoming a community leader? Applications are open for Puget Sound Sage’s Community Leadership Institute – deadline April 30
  • Puget Sound Sage’s Community Leadership Institute (CLI) is a fellowship program which resources, educates, and places emerging leaders from communities of color and low-income communities to serve on strategic municipal boards and commissions.
  • This program is not affiliated with the City of Seattle.
• The Washington Institute for Parent Leadership Fall 2026 Interest Form
  • This program is not affiliated with the City of Seattle.

Commission, Panel, and Volunteer Opportunities

NEW

• Apply for the Seattle Transportation Levy Oversight Committee - Deadline 8am on April 22
• King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission is recruiting - Application open through April 30
  
  • The King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission (KCIRC) is looking to fill five (5) open positions.
• Get Involved in Local Government: Volunteer for your King County Weed Control Board - deadline April 30
• Become a Volunteer with the Seattle Human Services Department's Victim Support Team - Applications open through May 29
• Join the Seattle-King County Advisory Council for Aging and Disability Services (ADS)

ONGOING

• Join a Community Cleanup! Upcoming events listed here
• Sign up to join the Seattle Shelter Acceleration Community Action Team

Input Opportunities and Surveys

NEW

• Seattle
  • City of Seattle Housing Director Stakeholder Survey
  • Seattle Parks & Recreation Specialized Programs for People with Disabilities Hosting Two Community Connection Events - April 25 and June 6
  • U District Regional Center Planning Survey - Deadline May 4
  • Greater Duwamish and Ballard Interbay Northend Manufacturing and Industrial Center (MIC) Draft Subareas Plans Available for Public Review and Comment through May 5
  • Notice of Election: Ballard Avenue Landmark District Board - Complete and Return Candidate Nomination forms by May 5
  • Our City, Our Safety Community Conversation at Magnolia Community Center - May 13 from 6-7:30pm
  • 2026 Waterfront Park Visitor Experience Survey
• Regional and Washington State
  • Community Town Hall with WA State Representative Nicole Macri on April 21
  • Join one of WA State Department of Health's listening sessions and help create a more Age- & Dementia-Friendly Washington - General Public Forum on April 23
  • King County Office of Law Enforcement Oversight Survey on Handling Immigration Matters - closes April 30
  • WA Department of Licensing (DOL) Needs Your Feedback About Culturally Aware Cosmetology Training in Washington State - May 6
  • King County Metro - International survey: How’s your bus service? Deadline May 10
  • Survey: Share your priorities for future Sound Transit expansion and more
  • Reparative Study for Washington Descendants - Survey open to gather input on how organizations and individuals want to engage with the study

ONGOING

• Take the survey to shape recommendations for a potential Washington State Department of Housing – deadline April 26
• Before the Badge: Community Police Dialogues – ongoing throughout 2026
• Seattle Parks and Recreation Projects

Funding, Art Opportunities, and Free Resources

NEW

• Seattle King County Free Clinic at Seattle Center - April 23-26
• Applications are now open for Seattle Public Utilities' Waste-Free Communities Grant: Textile Waste Prevention - Application deadline April 24
• Apply for Seattle Parks and Recreation's 2026 Hope for Youth Grant by May 12
• Food Equity Fund's Starter Fund (Grants up to $25,000) Application Now Open
  • Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through July 31st or until funding runs out
• Turn Curiosity into Civic Power: Get Up to $5,000 for Community-Led Projects

ONGOING

• Apply by April 21: Artists at the Center Grant
• HEAL Capacity Grant Program - Round 1 deadline April 30
  • This program is not affiliated with the City of Seattle.

Programs and Opportunities for Youth

• Youth Opportunity: Apply to Join the Hope for Youth Grant Selection Panel by April 17
• Bright Futures: Young Professionals Summit on April 18
• Get Engaged program is now accepting applications from 18-29 year-olds to serve on City of Seattle Boards and Commissions - deadline April 24
• Youth Transportation Summit: Transportation Safety - April 25
  • A free event specifically for youth and young adults ages 14-22. Register by Friday, April 17 to attend!
• King County Parks Youth Conservation Corps - applications close April 27
• Washington Legislative Youth Advisory Council Seeks Applicants - deadline April 30
• Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP) Summer Internships youth applications open - deadline May 4
• Washington Trust for Historic Preservation Summer Youth Heritage Project - apply by May 6
• Seattle Youth Commission (SYC) Membership Application 2026-2028 - Open through May 18
• King County Youth Leadership Summit on May 30
• Apply for Congressman Adam Smith's 2026-2027 Youth Advisory Council by June 1
  • All current high school and college students living in Washington’s Ninth Congressional District are eligible to serve on the Youth Advisory Council.
• Washington Youth Arts Leadership (WAYAL) Program 2026-2027 Cohort Applications Open through July 9
• Power Voices Event Fellowship for BIPOC girls & gender expansive youth
  • This program is not affiliated with the City of Seattle.
• Next Move Seattle: Programs & events for Seattle area youth, ages 14-25