Nominations Sought for the 88th Seattle King County First Citizen Award

Organizers of the prestigious Seattle King County First Citizen Award are seeking nominations for the 88th honoree. The award, presented annually since 1939, celebrates giving back to enhance our quality of life, whether in the form of community service, volunteerism, philanthropy or leadership.

Letters of nomination and any supporting material about the candidate’s exemplary community involvement, vision and generosity should be sent by Monday, November 10 to First Citizen Selection Committee, c/o Seattle King County REALTORS®, 12410 SE 32nd St., Suite 100, Bellevue, Washington 98005 or submitted by email to Darla White. Nominees must be current or former residents of King County.

The award recipient will be honored at a not-for-profit civic event in 2026.

“We are proud to continue this historic tradition by honoring a true pillar of our community as the 88th recipient of this award. Just as it was at the time of its inception, this is a critical moment to recognize the leadership, dedication, and resilience that continue to uplift and inspire our region,” said Savannah Scott, First Citizen Committee chair.

The First Citizen Award is believed to be this region’s most senior citation of its kind. It has no fundraising expectation but instead is designed solely as a nonprofit celebration of community engagement. As part of the event, the First Citizen Scholarship Foundation presents scholarships based on criteria that include good citizenship and involvement in community service.

The list of past recipients reflects a broad cross-section of citizens from myriad interests and causes. Former honorees have been associated with humanitarian organizations, charitable, health and educational institutions, arts groups, environmental and economic development causes, and various business and civic endeavors.

Earlier this year, Judy Runstad was honored as the 87th Seattle King County First Citizen. The distinguished attorney, prominent community volunteer, and dedicated fundraiser is known as a long-time proponent of the built environment. Although retired from her law practice, she remains active in several causes ranging from the arts to educational, humanitarian, and political.

Seattle King County REALTORS® (SKCR) established the First Citizen Award in 1939 to help uplift sagging public morale following the years of economic hardships during the Great Depression. They believed residents around King County who give back to their communities enrich the lives of their fellow citizens and serve as role models for future generations should be saluted. Since then, a benevolent individual, family, or group whose generous gifts of “time, talent, and treasure for the greater good” has been honored at an annual civic banquet.