New funding opportunities, summer of soccer, and PRIDE events 🌈

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 06/11/2026 02:15 PM PDT

Additional funding for Back to Business grants

To meet the needs of businesses, we’re expanding the Back to Business Program by increasing the grant amounts business owners can apply for to help reimburse the costs of fixing repairs or purchasing approved security equipment.

For the Storefront Repair Fund, we now offer grants of up to $5,000 per incident, up to three incidents per year, to reimburse business owners for the cost of fixing damages from vandalism or other property damage.
The Storefront Security Fund is now a one-time grant of up to $10,000 to reimburse the costs of improving security measures to prevent future storefront damage.

"Obviously it's very disheartening, but it was incredible to actually find support through [Back to Business]. I felt cared for at a time that we needed the support. It meant a lot," said Tolga Seymen, co-owner of Nutty Squirrel Gelato.

If you previously applied for either grant at the lower threshold with expense documentation above the previous grant amounts, our Back to Business team will reach out to you by Thursday, September 10, 2026. Applications are open through December 2026, or until funds run out. Learn more about the changes and apply for an updated grant on our website.

🎉⚽ Summer of soccer is here! ⚽ 🎉

Seattle is ready to host the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup matches, neighborhood celebrations, community-led activities, and so much more. Here’s a short list of highlights to get the party started:

Beginning today (June 11), fans will be able to experience the excitement at multiple locations along Seattle's Unity Loop, including the Seattle Center, Waterfront Park, Pacific Place, and Victory Hall in SODO through Fan Celebrations.
On Monday, June 15, there will be various events like the FIFA March to the Match, Seattle Soccer Celebration at Pier 62, watch parties at Westlake Park and Occidental Mall, and Pitchside at the Square (Occidental Park). Check out the full list of permitted events on our Special Events Public Calendar.
Seattle Parks and Recreation is offering more than 100 soccer-themed events and recreation activities citywide through the Beautiful Game Series. Events include free outdoor and indoor watch parties, youth soccer jamborees, and soccer-themed programming at parks, community centers, and pools.
The Office of Arts and Culture put out a list of summer programming, including community soccer events: Free art and culture events all summer.
Business owners: It’s not too late to try out outdoor dining this summer and fall. We partnered with Seattle Department of Transportation to cover the permit fees for the first 100 Seasonal Café permits submitted by businesses and issued by SDOT. Read more about the program and how to explore sidewalk or curb space outdoor dining with less cost and confusion: Free outdoor dining permits for Seattle businesses.

Seattle neighborhood highlights

⚽ From June 11 – July 19, Seattle Center will be one of the region’s largest free public gathering places, featuring FIFA-authorized public viewing experiences, cultural festivals, music, art, food, fitness, and community celebrations.

Let’s Play SEA

🥟 Watch the Chinatown-International District’s official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS^TM attempt to achieve the Largest Dim Sum Gathering! The attempt is on June 18, starting at 3 p.m. You Win Some…

You Dim Sum

CID Block Party photo with lion dancers in front

⛩️ C-ID Block Party, Wing Luke Museum JamFest, and CIDBIA are joining forces to celebrate AANHPI culture, food, music, art, and community on June 18, 3 – 9 p.m., in the Chinatown-International District.

C-ID Summer Kickoff

🖤 Join ARTE NOIR’s Juneteenth weekend celebrating Black culture, community, and the global game in the Central District. The watch party and youth activations are on June 19 and the REVIVAL Market on June 20.

Freedom and Futbol

🏳️‍🌈 Celebrating PRIDE this month and every day 🏳️‍⚧️

We’re proud to support and participate in programming that celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community. Check out these free events:

Soccer tournament PRIDE watch parties, June 26

Ballard Regnbue: Ballard Regnbue (RAYN-boo-uh: Rainbow in Norwegian and Danish) is an all-day Pride Festival and Pride Match Day Soccer Watch Party on June 26, from 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. The organizers are closing the north side of Ballard Ave NW and 22nd Ave NW and transforming the heart of our neighborhood into a free community celebration of PRIDE.
Gather for Goals: White Center Pride is teaming up with King County Local Services to host a world soccer match watch party on June 26 at 12 p.m. They’re shutting the street down for giant screens, vendors, food, and more in downtown White Center.

Happy dog wearing bright colors at PRIDE

PrideFest Capitol Hill, June 27, 12– 8:00 p.m.

Back with four entertainment stages spanning five blocks of Broadway, Barbara Bailey Way, and Cal Anderson Park! PrideFest Capitol Hill is a family-friendly street fair featuring talented local vendors, LGBTQIA+ community resources, and opportunities to catch some of the best free live performances of the summer.

Seattle Pride Parade, June 28, 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Downtown Seattle along 4th Ave

In its 51st year of celebration, the Seattle Pride Parade is our opportunity to commemorate the past, celebrate new wins for equality, and get encouragement for the work yet to come. Every year, people gather in the streets, marching for joy, justice, and belonging.

Seattle PrideFest, June 28, 12 – 8 p.m.

Immediately following the Downtown Pride Parade, Seattle Center will host one of the nation's largest free Pride festivals: Seattle PrideFest. There will be three stages, multiple beverage gardens, and hundreds of artists and exhibitors celebrating love, equality, and community.

“People should film their commercials in Seattle”

Picture this: a sunny day in Downtown and a camera-mounted Rivian following a new Toyota as it drives down a closed Sixth Avenue. This is just one of several Seattle locations Toyota used to film a commercial for their newest electric vehicle, the bZ Woodland. Filming in multiple locations in a short period requires a lot of organization, which is where our office comes in. We offer film permits at a flat rate of $25 a day, complete with a one-stop shop concierge permitting coordination service. Productions make one call to us and we coordinate the rest.

Commercial film productions like this one make up more than half of all productions our Film Program permits. Read more here: Toyota commercial spotlights Seattle’s commercial film industry.

City and State opportunities and resources

🌳 Help shape Seattle’s Climate Action Plan! 🌍

Climate Action Plan Survey graphic with drawing of biker

Got 10 minutes to tell us about the climate issues and solutions that matter most to you? Nearly 20 City departments are collaborating to update Seattle’s Climate Action Plan. The plan maps out strategies to reduce pollution, prepare for climate impacts, and build a healthier city for everyone.

📅 Deadline to fill out the survey is June 30.

💻 The survey is now available in six languages: Chinese, English, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

Small business resources at OED

Applications for our Accounting and Business Consulting Program are open. Review the list of services available and apply on our website.
Apply for a free seasonal outdoor dining permit through our partnership with SDOT. The first 100 permits submitted by business and issued by SDOT will be covered by us! Learn more about how to participate in this program on this blog post.
Here’s a full list of our programs helping small businesses with the tools and support needed to thrive: Helping Seattle’s small businesses grow blog.