Seattle's Department of Neighborhoods is reaching out to local groups with a call to action: apply now for funding to bolster community initiatives. The Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF), a program backed by two opportunities – the Community Partnership Fund and the Small Sparks Fund – is inviting grassroots projects to seek financial support. Particularly, it looks to uplift efforts led by or affecting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.
The Community Partnership Fund is the heavyweight of the two, offering up to $50,000 for projects that can deliver substantial and enduring benefits. According to an announcement on Seattle's Department of Neighborhoods website, applications are welcome until 11:59 pm on March 11, 2024, covering a broad spectrum of initiatives from public art and park enhancements to cultural events and the construction of community facilities. On the other end, the Small Sparks Fund caters to smaller activities like neighborhood clean-ups and block parties, granting up to $5,000 per project. Applications are accepted throughout the year until October 31.
In preparation for the application process, the NMF staff is arranging three virtual workshops. As stipulated on the front porch of the Seattle Government website, these sessions will enlighten participants on the particulars of the program, illustrating the hallmarks of a winning application and demystifying the review process. Interested neighborhood and community organizations are encouraged to take advantage of these informative workshops. Additionally, the NMF is on the search for community reviewers, individuals versed in community building, neighborhood development, and equity to contribute to the Community Review team for vetting CPF applications.
Workshops are conveniently scheduled to accommodate various groups, with the first session set for January 16, 2024, at 10:00 am. The subsequent meetings follow closely behind, dated February 3 and February 14. Prospective attendees can click here for more information on joining these sessions. For those ready to take the first step towards making a tangible difference in their communities, application details and further guidance are available on the program's website, or by contacting the NMF staff directly through their provided phone number or email.
