Airport Community Ecology Fund

The Airport Community Ecology Fund was SEA International Airport’s first community-focused environmental grants program. Initially valued at $1 million for three years of small grants to benefit community-based green jobs training and environmental improvement projects near the airport, the fund was so successful that it has since blossomed into two new grant programs now distributing $10 million over the next three years. It serves as a national model for investing in Airport-impacted communities.

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Deliverables for the Project:

• Establish and execute an inclusive community engagement plan for three near-airport cities impacted by SEA Airport operations
• Collect qualitative data from neighboring city staff, community members, non-profits, and youth using multiple outreach events and forums
• Synthesize findings and propose strategies and activities to improve Airport relations with neighboring city governments and community members with an emphasis on environmental issues
• Create, launch, and administer the Airport’s pilot community-focused environmental grants program
• Establish equity-focused grant criteria, administration practices, contracting, and capacity building trainings for grantees
• Build capacity of community members to successfully navigate Airport regulations and processes surrounding the grant, including hosting community workshops and designing print/web materials on grant applications and reporting
• Transform internal agency practices to better serve community needs and capacity building, train staff and key departments in best practices for cultural competency and equity related to fund administration
• Create and manage a biannual application process and pilot a community leadership model in final funding recommendations
• Design a reporting process that has clear metrics and guidelines for transparent and accountable fund distribution