Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) has announced its funding opportunities for 2015. All three of its funds — Small Sparks, Small and Simple Projects Fund and the Large Projects Fund — support the efforts of community members as they work on projects to build stronger neighborhoods and communities. More than 5,000 projects have occurred across the city since this program began 27 years ago.
The Small Sparks Fund, which provides awards of up to $1,000 per project, accepts applications year-round. It funds small community projects and supports activities such as Neighbor Appreciation Day, Night Out, Earth Day and others.
The Small and Simple Projects Fund, which provides awards of up to $25,000, has three opportunities to apply. Deadlines for applications are Feb. 2, June 1 and Oct. 5, by 5 p.m.
For those interested in applying in February, NMF staff is hosting workshops about the guidelines and application process:
•Thursday, Jan. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m., at El Centro de la Raza (2524 16th Ave. S.), in Room 309; and
•Wednesday, Jan. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Phinney Neighborhood Center (6532 Phinney Ave. N.), in Room 3.
To RSVP, call (206) 733-9916 or go online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/NMFWorkshop. Childcare and interpreters can be arranged for workshop participants who RSVP and request these services at least 72 hours in advance.
Additional workshops will be offered prior to each Small and Simple Projects Fund application deadline.
The Large Projects Fund (LPF), which awards up to $100,000 per project, is open to applications once a year; the deadline is May 4 by 5 p.m. It is mandatory for interested community groups to attend an LPF workshops offered before applying:
• Feb. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Northgate Community Center (10510 Fifth Ave. N.E.) in the Multipurpose Room;
•Feb. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Casa Latina (317 17th Ave. S.), in the Worker’s Center;
•March 18, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Northgate Community Center (10510 Fifth Ave. N.E.), in the Multipurpose Room;
•April 1, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Garfield Community Center (2323 E. Cherry St.), in the Multipurpose Room; and
•April 9, from 6 to 8 p.m., at El Centro de la Raza (2524 16th Ave. S.), in Room 106.
The NMF program has staff to advise community groups on ways to develop successful applications and projects. Community members are strongly encouraged to contact a Neighborhood Matching Fund project manager before applying at (206) 233-0093 or NMFund@seattle.gov.
To learn more about the Neighborhood Matching Fund, visit www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf.