Neighborhood Matching Fund
The Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) program was created in 1988 to provide matching dollars for neighborhood improvement, organizing, or projects that are developed and implemented by community members. Core to the fund is the community match, which requires awardees to match their award with contributions from the community (volunteer time, donated materials, donated professional services or cash).
Since 1988, the Fund has awarded more than $49 million to more than 5,000 projects throughout Seattle and generated an additional $72 million of community match.
There are two funds within the NMF Program:
| Small Sparks Fund | Community Partnership Fund | |
|---|---|---|
| Awards | Up to $5,000 | Up to $100,000 |
| Application Deadlines |
Must be received at least six weeks prior to start of project | March 27, 2017 June 26, 2017 September 25, 2017 |
| Notice of Decisions | Within two weeks | Within six weeks |
| Contracts with City |
Within two weeks from award notification date | Within one month from award notification date |
Who We Fund
Neighborhood groups, community organizations, informal groups, and business groups who want to do a project to build stronger community connections are encouraged to apply.
All applicant groups must be open and inclusive, actively engage diverse community members, and be significantly composed of people who live and/or work in Seattle.
What We Fund
We fund an array of unique and creative community projects that meet these requirements:
- Involve community members in creating and completing the project.
- Create community improvements.
- Be free and open to all members of the public.
- Are feasible and ready to begin within 1-2 months from award date.
- Demonstrate community match.
- Occur within the Seattle city limits. Community events every 2 years.