The Chinatown International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA) and Theatre Off Jackson (TOJ) each received $50,000 from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF), the City announced on June 23.
The CIDBIA received its $50,000 to support its Win Some, Dim Sum CID World Record Attempt, which broke the Guinness World Record on June 18 for largest dim sum meal, during the CID Summer Kickoff, an event combining the CID Block Party and the Wing Luke Museum’s JamFest. Over 830 people gathered to eat dim sum at the same time, overtaking a previous record of 764 in Sydney, Australia, in 2019. The record was held right before the U.S. and Australian teams faced off, a contest the U.S. won. Mayor Katie Wilson issued a proclamation designating June 18 as Dim Sum Day, recognizing its cultural significance in the CID.
Although the $50,000 award was announced after the World Record attempt succeeded, the CIDBIA had applied for the funding in March and was notified of the award in May, according to Tuyen Than, CIDBIA executive director.
“The $50,000 will essentially serve as reimbursement for the costs we incurred for the World Record event,” Than said in an email to the International Examiner. Sponsorship dollars were somewhat scarce during FIFA, Than said, making the DON grant essential.
Like the other NMF awardees, the World Record attempt already had matching funding from the community, in this case $36,150. This was a combination of individual donations, volunteer hours, sponsorships, and donated services such as in video, design and photography, as well as committee planning hours, according to Than.
“Combined with the $50,000 from DON, it covers a significant portion of the costs,” Than said. “The total investment for this event was substantial, and we’re grateful for the community support and the DON funding to help make it possible.”
According to Than, the primary costs for the Guinness World Record portion of the event included the following:
- $22,000 for the Guinness Adjudicator contract (not including hotel or flights)
- About $29,000 for event rentals
- $8,000 for dim sum
- $5,000 for project coordination
- $5,000 for advertisement
- $3,800 for special events permits and a temporary health event permit
- $3,000 for insurance
- Additional costs for takeout containers, chopsticks, print costs, and other event supplies
The $50,000 awarded to Theatre Off Jackson (TOJ) will be used to address safety concerns, including new security gates at the front and rear of the building, and will help upgrade lighting and ADA compliant exits. It will also help fund improvements to the entry alcove, including signage and artwork representing the neighborhood identity. TOJ had a community match of $32,670.
“Developed with input from artists, audiences, and neighborhood residents and businesses, the design balances security with openness—signaling active stewardship rather than exclusion,” according to the press release from the Department of Neighborhoods. “In addressing securing concerns, TOJ will create a safer, more welcoming cultural space serving AAPI, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and neighborhood communities.”
The two organizations received the maximum award amount of $50,000, and are among 22 projects across Seattle that will receive a combined $1 million from the NMF.
