The City of Seattle has awarded $818,698 to support 21 community-initiated projects through Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF). Twenty-one community groups received awards ranging from $8,320 to $50,000 and have pledged $780,269 to match their award through local cash donations, volunteer hours, donated materials, and in-kind professional services.

“Our vision for One Seattle involves engaging with the community to understand their priorities and leveraging City support to make them a reality,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “These investments will fund community-led projects that are helping to build a more equitable, inclusive, and thriving future for our city, and I am excited for more Seattleites to benefit from the work of these organizations.”

“We want to thank the Department of Neighborhoods for granting this award as a sign of support for our project,” said Ron Choi, Project Manager for Chinatown International District – Through the Eyes of a Tiger. “The funds will allow us to present a fine exhibition showcasing the community as it transitions through this particularly trying time in its existence. The community will be engaged to contribute to our collection of this historical record.”

“The Seattle Griot Project is very thankful to have the support of the Neighborhood Matching Fund which will help further our preservation efforts in collecting the Central Area’s rich heritage,” said Roger Evans, Developer and Curator of The Seattle Griot Project.  “From oral stories to analog and digital document conversion, their support gives us confidence in what we’re doing for our community and in knowing that they too share those same values.”

The Neighborhood Matching Fund offers grants to organizations committed to fostering and building our community. It has two funds: the Community Partnership Fund, which is currently offered twice a year with awards up to $50,000; and the Small Sparks Fund, which is offered on a rolling basis throughout most of the year with awards of up to $5,000.

Over its 34-year history, 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 information about NMF, visit seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/.

The following community organizations will receive Neighborhood Matching Fund awards for Round Two of the 2022 funding cycle:

2022 Community Partnership Fund Awards – Round Two

$50,000 to Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (SCIPDA) for Murals at 13^th and Fir Family Housing to design, develop, and execute large-scale public art for a new mixed-used building. The project will create art that is impactful and reflective of the immediate neighborhoods’ collective values and diverse community. (Community match: $26,658)

$50,000 to Tigrean Community Association in Seattle for Critical Care for War Related Trauma to provide outreach and resources for Tigreans in Seattle who have lost contact with friends and relatives in Ethiopia. Support includes assistance for chronic health diseases and mental health disturbances. (Community match: $25,000)

$50,000 to Artist Coalition for Equitable Development for On the Block Second Saturdays, a series of six monthly outdoor street markets occurring May through October 2023. Created by and for local BIPOC artists, the free, all-ages event will feature vendors selling handmade goods, vintage fare, street fashion, and more and includes interactive art, community activations, and live music performances. (Community match: $152,340)

$50,000 to Somali Community Services of Seattle for Somali Heritage Fest, an annual gathering beginning with a 4-day soccer tournament and dance extravaganza and culminating with a celebration featuring Somali folk dance, spoken word, music, crafts, food, and more. (Community match: $25,500)

$50,000 to It Takes a Village for Queen Healing and Liberation Project to offer space, resources, and nourishment for changemakers grappling with the challenges of our world. The project will be a hub for transformative work in the fields of health and healing, art and education, and environmental justice committed to the thriving of Black, Indigenous and people of color community members and the liberation of everyone. (Community match: $31,040)

$49,890 to Two Cranes Institute for Streetscape Improvements to remove tree stumps and replace a broken sidewalk to meet ADA requirements and install landscaping elements with a patio to reconnect community pathways and create welcoming areas for people to gather. (Community match: $39,741)

$49,500 to Friends of Roots Without Borders for Music to Build Community, a series of five arts and culture events illuminating the roots of music and dance in the Americas, with programs featuring professional artists of diverse disciplines and cultures and highlighting Indigenous music and folkloric dance from Olmec, Zapotec, Maya, Toltec, Aztec, and Lummi peoples. (Community match: $28,160)

$48,875 to Seattle Polish Foundation for HVAC System Replacement at the Polish Cultural Center to enable the community to continue to use this special space for Polish cultural events and community gatherings like National Night Out, Neighborhood Block Parties, and other programs. (Community match: $29,194)

$48,451 to Chinatown International District – Through the Eyes of a Tiger for Through the Eyes of a Tiger, a photo documentary project that explores the Chinatown International District and documents occurrences within the boundaries of this historic neighborhood during the lunar Year of the Tiger. The work will be accessible to the public through a free-use website and community art exhibitions.  (Community match: $50,580)

$48,242 to Seattle Griot Project for The Seattle Griot Project to offer multimedia training in photo, film, audio, print, and web content development to help share and affirm the lived Black history across generations. The project aims at providing a transformational tool for the Black community to present their culture, history, and stories. (Community match: $33,305)

$41,400 to Freeway Park Association for Four Seasons of Public Art in Freeway Park to support a four-season public art program that will invite artists to produce temporary and interactive art installations and host community art-making workshops in the park. The art will coincide with existing events including Freeway Park in Bloom, Fountain Fest, and Fall Fest. (Community match: $49,988)

$38,180 to Eastlake Tennis Revival for Tennis Court Resurfacing at Rogers Playfield to repair the tennis courts at the Eastlake neighborhood park. The project will provide a safer environment for tennis players, while promoting healthy outdoor activities for all in a space that serves many disadvantaged communities through equitable access to public tennis facilities. (Community match: $19,455)

$35,000 to Friends of BrasilFest for BrasilFest 25^th Anniversary to celebrate Brazilian Folklore Day with the annual festival at the Seattle Center in 2023. The event will include music, food, exhibits, dancing, workshops, and children’s activities and provides an opportunity for community members to learn about and participate in Brazilian arts and traditions. (Community match: $18,180)

$34,642 to Gifts of Hope for Community Cultural Winterfest to bring together communities of different nationalities and beliefs to celebrate African American culture. The free event provides an opportunity for South Seattle neighbors to come together to create a collaborative gathering that is open and welcome to all. (Community match: $23,375)

$31,932 to Kids and Paper for STEM Activities & Tutoring for Magnuson Park Kids to expand their student support program to include STEM activities, tutoring that exposes children to new topics and hands-on learning, and a focus on helping students connect their lessons to real-world applications. (Community match: $33,972)

$29,739 to HONK! Festival West for HONK! Fest West 2023 to produce an accessible community music festival driven by the energetic performances of street bands in public spaces. The free events are held in Georgetown, Columbia City, and Yesler Terrace is organized and performed entirely by volunteers and is free and open to the public. (Community match: $102,935)

$29,720 to Chinese American Legacy Artwork Project Committee for Chinese American Legacy Artwork Project to preserve and share the little-known history of early Chinese settlers in Pioneer Square and Chinatown International District. The funding will support the creation of a digital exhibit, public program, and outreach events to gather and share stories from people impacted by Seattle’s anti-Chinese riots and expulsion. (Community match: $30,320)

$26,151 to Howell Collective Garden for Howell Street P-Patch Fence to build a fence around the P-Patch to help reduce litter and communicate the intentionality of the area as a space to grow produce while continuing to keep the garden open to the community at large. (Community match: $19,860)

$25,600 to Safety and Community at Hanford and 16^th for Beacon Hill Neighborhood Traffic Safety Project to improve safety for street users, particularly pedestrians and vulnerable individuals through the installation of a mural painted curb bulbs and posts to provide vertical definition to the space. The funding will also support community outreach to residents in the vicinity, recruitment of a muralist, and a neighborhood gathering to celebrate the conclusion of the project. (Community match: $13,030)

$23,056 to The Feels for The Feels Foundation 2023 Annual Showcase to bring diverse creatives and communities together for a safe and inclusive gathering with an art exhibit, vendor market, panel discussion, and live music. The showcase will be held in-person as well as streamed online. (Community match: $16,776)

$8,320 to Belltown Community Center Super Heroes for Lunar New Year Art Festival, a 2-month art exhibit that will feature the work of Asian American artists living in Seattle and the Puget Sound area with accommodating themed workshops tailored at makers, artists, and Asian culture. (Community match: $10,860)