We recently connected with local writer, director, and producer Chris Hopper to learn about how a Neighborhood Matching Fund grant has helped support the Black and Tan Project and bring community theater to more people in Seattle. Chris has written and directed multiple plays centering Black history, culture, and experience… [ Keep reading ]
On August 18, community members and City officials, past and present, filled the Seattle City Council Chambers to celebrate the official proclamation of Allynn Ruth Day, honoring her 51 years of public service at the City of Seattle. Allynn grew up in Yesler Terrace and is a proud graduate of… [ Keep reading ]
Serving more than 3000 residents, Eritrean Association of Greater Seattle (EAGS) creates a space that fosters connections, supports growth, and preserves the rich heritage of the local East African community. The organization first received a Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) grant in 2000 to support the construction of a community center…. [ Keep reading ]
Photo of Dim Sum World Record event on June 19, 2026, from Northwest Asian Weekly, taken by James Tabafunda Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) is currently accepting applications for the Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) Community Partnership Fund. This granting program supports grassroots projects that build stronger communities. The Community Partnership… [ Keep reading ]
Twenty-two community-led projects across Seattle are receiving nearly $1 million through the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF), helping residents bring their ideas to life through neighborhood improvements, cultural celebrations, youth programs, and community-building initiatives. “When neighbors come together to improve a park, organize a cultural festival, create opportunities for… [ Keep reading ]
We recently connected with Joselynn Tokashiki, manager of the Heron’s Nest, to learn about the project, how it has been supported by the Food Equity Fund, and the important role food plays in building community and connecting to the land. About Heron’s Nest The Heron’s Nest is a 3.56-acre land care project and community hub in the West Duwamish Greenbelt that preserves… [ Keep reading ]
We connected with Karen Ko, a Lions Club member and coordinator for the Seattle Sensory Garden, a project supported by the Neighborhood Matching Fund to learn about the origins of the garden, how Small Sparks grants aided the process, and why community-led projects are so important right now. Can you… [ Keep reading ]
What if understanding how city government works felt less like decoding a maze and more like unlocking a door? The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is opening that door with funding to support community-led projects that help people learn how to engage with local government and use their voice to shape… [ Keep reading ]
Right now, across Seattle, something powerful is happening in kitchens, community centers, and gardens you won’t find on a map. Neighbors are building networks of care that make sure no one has to wonder where their next meal is coming from. This is what a just and vibrant food system looks like, not as… [ Keep reading ]
The Food Equity Fund (FEF), managed by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON), supports projects that address food insecurity and promote health and wellbeing across Seattle’s neighborhoods. In 2025, the FEF Starter Fund awarded a total of $275,000 to 11 diverse community organizations dedicated to improving access to nutritious, culturally relevant food. The… [ Keep reading ]
