Neighborhood Matching Fund now accepting applications for community-centered projects

Meghan Walker Ballard

The annual funding program for community projects has opened its 2023 application process to Seattle residents.

The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) has two funds—the Small Sparks Fund and the Community Partnership Fund—intended to “support grassroots projects that build stronger communities, with an emphasis on projects led by or impacting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.”

The Community Partnership Fund provides funding up to $50,000 with two opportunities to apply each year. Applications for the first round of funding are currently open and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on March 13, 2023. The next round of funding opens in July.

The Community Partnership Fund is designed to support “large and lasting impacts in your community by supporting community organizing, public art projects, park improvements, cultural events, design, and construction of community facilities, and more,” the Seattle Dept. of Neighborhoods (DON)says.

The Small Sparks Fund provides funding up to $5,000 per project, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis through October 31. The DON says this fund is perfect for small community activities such as neighborhood clean-ups, block parties, community art projects, workshops, and more.

There will be three upcoming workshops to help residents apply for the fund:

To attend one of the virtual workshops, RSVP online.

You can access more information and begin your application on the NMF website.

Photo: Seattle Dept. of Neighborhoods