Mayor Ed Murray and the Seattle City Council awarded seven Seattle organizations a total of $650,741 to support neighborhood-initiated projects across the city. The awards are part of the City’s Neighborhood Matching Fund, which provides more than $3 million each year to local organizations.
“Through the Neighborhood Matching Fund, thousands of community organizations have completed a variety of projects that have made a difference in their neighborhood and community,” said Mayor Murray. “From a performance series in the Central Area, to an open space plaza in Eastlake, to digital storytelling in Chinatown International District – these funds help to acknowledge the dedication of community volunteers to make their ideas become realities.”
“These projects are inspirational examples of neighbors working together to improve the lives of others and the health of their communities. I heard from many of the recipients at my Council committee in August, and look forward to seeing Neighborhood Matching Fund dollars put to great use across the city.”
– Councilmember Tim Burgess (Position 8, Citywide)
The Large Projects Fund, a program of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, provides awards of up to $100,000 to community organizations committed to fostering and building a better community. For this fund, two teams of community members from neighborhood districts selected the recipients through an extensive evaluation process. With the city’s investment of $650,741, these seven awardees will contribute $1,048,216 in locally raised money, donated materials and professional services and volunteer labor.
The Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) has two other funds: the Small and Simple Projects Fund which provides up to $25,000, and the Small Sparks Fund which provides up to $1,000 per project. For 28 years, more than 5,000 projects have been funded in partnership with the NMF Program, and its investment in neighborhoods can be seen across the city. For more information about all of the funds visit seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/.
2016 Large Projects Fund Awards
District 2
- $100,000 to Mini Mart City Park to renovate a former gas station into a pocket park, arts center, and community gathering place in Georgetown. Community match: $265,010.
- $100,000 to SouthEast Effective Development to build a professional broadcast studio for Rainier Valley Radio, a community production space, and other spaces to serve as a digital communications hub. Community match: $294,018.
- $99,960 to the Beacon Food Forest for Phase II construction to include an outdoor educational space, additional P-Patch plots, a tool shed, and other improvements. Community match: $211,793.
- $90,781 to OneAmerica to engage residents of Chinatown International District in digital storytelling through classes that teach English language and digital literacy skills. Community match: $47,345.
District 3
- $60,000 to 206 Zulu to produce up to eight free public events while enabling Central District arts organizations free access to historic Washington Hall. Community match: $19,300.
- $100,000 to The Friends of First Place Scholars to make facility improvements and plan for future repairs at the First Place School. Community match: $110,450.
District 4
- $100,000 to Lake Union Neighbors to accomplish Phase I construction of an open space plaza in street right-of-way and complete a pedestrian corridor. Community match: $100,300.