Seven Burien arts and cultural organizations have received $65,000 in funding through ArtsFund’s 2025 Community Accelerator Grant program, part of a $10 million statewide investment supported by Allen Family Philanthropies.
The Burien recipients include:
- Highline Heritage Museum: $25,000
- Momentum Dance Academy: $17,500
- Joyas Mestizas: $12,500
- Burien Arts Association: $2,500
- Hi-Liners Musical Theatre: $2,500
- Northwest Associated Arts: $2,500
- Northwest Symphony Orchestra: $2,500
In total, Burien groups received $65,000 in funding.
Statewide, ArtsFund and Allen Family Philanthropies announced this week that 930 organizations across all 39 Washington counties were awarded grants ranging from $2,500 to $25,000. It marks the largest group of awardees in the program’s three-year history, with 19 percent of recipients receiving funding for the first time.
“Across the three years of this successful partnership with Allen Family Philanthropies, we have seen the breadth and depth of the arts across Washington,” said Michael Greer, ArtsFund president and CEO. “Having access to well-resourced arts organizations in every community impacts livability for all Washingtonians — from economic opportunities to social cohesion and connection.”
The program, launched in 2023, has now distributed $30 million in unrestricted grants to arts and cultural nonprofits statewide. This year’s round continues to emphasize accessibility: grants were awarded to every eligible applicant, with an average award of $10,753.
“The incredible reach of this program into every corner of our state shows just how much this type of flexible funding is needed,” said Lara Littlefield, executive director of Allen Family Philanthropies. “This community-driven model now supports nearly a thousand organizations and the impact of their creative work, helping to make our local communities more vibrant and healthy.”
ArtsFund reported that 74 percent of this year’s grantees have annual budgets under $500,000, underscoring the importance of low-barrier funding opportunities for smaller nonprofits.
The program also reached 12 of Washington’s 29 federally recognized tribes and expanded support in rural counties.
Grantees statewide cited programming, staff salaries, and facility costs as their highest funding priorities. According to ArtsFund’s impact studies, the grants are expected to generate additional economic activity, with awardees projecting they can raise $2.70 for every $1 granted, potentially creating a $27 million impact across Washington.
For Burien, the awards underscore the city’s growing role as a cultural hub in South King County. From heritage preservation at the Highline Heritage Museum to performances by the Northwest Symphony Orchestra to the premiere of the Burien Creative District, the funding is set to bolster the city’s arts landscape in the year ahead.
