The county recently announced grant opportunities for nonprofits in its Community Service Areas (CSAs), including Vashon Island, to help residents in unincorporated parts of the county become more connected in their neighborhoods.

A total of $60,000 is available through the King County Community Service Area Program for projects, with grants of less than $5,000 each. Proposed projects should promote the engagement of local residents in community activities, educate residents about important issues affecting them or enhance the community in some way.

Last year, islanders submitted more applications than the other unincorporated areas and received six grants, also more than other areas.

Alan Painter, the CSA program manager, said he hopes to see a strong showing from islanders again.

“We encourage organizations to think about this pot to be leveraged for the good work they are already doing,” he said.

The grants are to be considered a shared investment with the community, Painter noted, and require a minimum match of 25 percent of the total cost in volunteer time (tabulated at $20 per hour), cash or in-kind services.

Applications are due Friday, May 31.

On Vashon, the projects funded last year are still in the works, Painter said. They range from $2,000 to Voice of Vashon for building its website to $3,500 to Bike Vashon to make the island safer for bikers and pedestrians.

For more information, see www.kingcounty.gov/exec/community-service-areas/engagement-grants.aspx.