See Current Projects Being Considered below
Raymond T. Cole Fund
This special fund for the 46th District Democrats honors the legacy of Raymond T. Cole, a longtime member, treasurer, PCO, election judge, educator, and ethics advocate whose service helped strengthen the 46th District Democrats for many years. Ray was known for his deep commitment to Democratic values, careful stewardship of the District’s finances, and the belief that public service and political work should be grounded in the highest ethical standards. Through a generous bequest to the 46th District Democrats, Ray’s legacy continues to support projects that build the strength, capacity, and impact of our organization.
The Cole Fund may support member-led projects that are consistent with the vision and mission of the 46th District Democrats and that are not part of the District’s regular annual operating budget. Eligible projects include efforts that aim to increase the skills of leaders or members, enhance the District’s reputation, grow membership or volunteer participation, build partnerships or alliances, improve diversity, equity, and inclusion, support outreach or capacity-building events, or fund capital projects that benefit the District’s work.
- Grant proposals are reviewed by the Cole Fund Committee, which makes funding recommendations to the membership. Funds may not be disbursed until recommended by the Committee and approved by a vote of the membership.
- For the initial 2026 project application cycle, the total amount requested and awarded across all grant proposals may not exceed $5,000.
Before applying, members should carefully read the Cole Fund Application Guidance to understand eligibility requirements, review criteria, required supporting materials, and the full application process.
Ready to apply?
Please review the Application Guidance document first, then complete the Application Form to describe your project.
Completed applications and supporting materials should be emailed to the Cole Fund Committee at [email protected].
The 2026 application cycle is open through July 31, 2026 or until grant proposals under review exceed our 2026 limit of $5,000 in requests.
CURRENT PROJECTS BEING CONSIDERED
Motion for Consideration at the September 15, 2026 Membership Meeting: The Cole Fund Committee unanimously recommends that the 46th Democrats membership approve funding from the Raymond T. Cole Fund for the Renter Engagement Project at the requested amount of $3,725.
Members of the Cole Fund Committee are: Margaret Shield (chair), Melissa Taylor, Hunter Brown, Lisa Rivera, and Lisa Levy (Treasurer, non-voting)
Synopsis of the Renter Engagement Project
Project Team: Jessica Trupin, Nathan Antonio, Heather Heinnickel, and Marc Auerbach.
Project Approach: Renters now make up 56% of Seattle households but have long been a challenging group to register to vote and to engage in local Democratic party functions. The project team, along with other volunteers it engages, will conduct focused outreach to renters in the 46th LD. Through demographic mapping, outreach will be targeted to renters in census tracts with below average voter registration rates and with higher renter density areas. The effectiveness of several outreach methods will be tested, and the team intends to learn and adjust outreach strategies through the end of 2026.
Project Goals: Increase voter registration among renters; Increase renter membership and participation in the 46th District Democrats; Increase renter interest in serving as Democratic PCOs; Develop a cohort of large apartment building representatives who can be engaged on issues impacting renters.
Proposed Use of Cole Funds: Cole funding requested for this project will be used for designing, printing, and mailing materials to renters in targeted areas, for materials (flyers, doorhangers, stickers, buttons), and for costs associated with events hosted by building representatives who are identified through outreach.
Project team members will submit invoices or receipts for reimbursement.
This project has already applied for and received $988 from the WA State Democratic Party.