Seattle Department of Neighborhoods has announced the Neighborhood Matching Fund opportunities for 2014. All three funding programs of the Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) – Small Sparks, Small and Simple Projects Fund, and the Large Projects Fund – support the efforts of community members as they work on projects to build stronger neighborhoods and communities.
The NMF program has staff to advise community groups on ways to develop successful applications and projects. Community members are strongly encouraged to contact a Neighborhood Matching Fund Project Manager before applying at 206-233-0093 or NMFund@seattle.gov.
Small Sparks Fund
The Small Sparks Fund which provides awards of up to $1,000 per project accepts applications year-round at least six weeks prior to the proposed project implementation date. This is great funding opportunity for implementing small community projects as well as supporting efforts such as Neighbor Appreciation Day, National Night Out, Earth Day, and others.
Small and Simple Projects Fund
The Small and Simple Projects Fund which provides awards of up to $25,000 has three opportunities to apply. The deadlines for applications are February 3, June 2, and October 6, 2014. For those interested in applying in February, NMF staff is hosting workshops about the guidelines and application process. The dates are as follows:
- Saturday, January 11; 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.at Garfield Community Center, 2323 E. Cherry Street
- Tuesday, January 14; 6 – 8 p.m.at Ravenna Community Center, 6535 Ravenna Ave NE
- Thursday, January 23; 6 – 8 p.m. at Rainier Community Center, 4600 38th Ave S
To RSVP, call 206-733-9916 or go online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/NMFWorkshop. Childcare and interpreters can be arranged for workshop participants who RSVP and request these services at least 72 hours in advance. Additional workshops will be offered prior to each Small and Simple Fund application deadline in 2014.
Large Projects Fund
The Large Projects Fund (LPF) which awards up to $100,000 per project is open to applications once a year. The deadline is May 5, 2014. It is mandatory for interested community groups to attend one of the six LPF workshops offered before applying. The workshops will be provided on February 20, 25; March 20, 25; and April 8 and 10, 2014. More details on times and locations will be available on our website in January.
To learn more about the Neighborhood Matching Fund and its support to community-initiated projects, visit www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf. The website provides details on the criteria and requirements for each fund, along with instructions for the online application process.