Neighborhood Matching Fund

In 1988, the Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) was created to provide matching dollars for neighborhood improvement, organizing, or projects developed and implemented by community members. Central to NMF is the community match which requires awardees to match their award with contributions from the community whether as volunteer time, donated materials, donated professional services, or cash.  

Since NMF's creation, more than 5,000 community projects throughout Seattle have received over $64 million in funding and generated an additional $72 million from community match.

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 a variety of unique and creative community projects. To be eligible for funding, a project must:

  • involve community members in creating and completing the project; 
  • create community improvements;
  • be free and open to all members of the public;
  • be feasible and ready to begin within 1-2 months from the award date;
  • demonstrate community match;
  • occur within the Seattle city limits;
  • not have received NMF funding within the last two years. (applies only to events)

Informational Workshops

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is hosting six virtual workshops in 2023 to assist community organizations and neighborhood groups interested in getting funding for their ideas. RSVP for an upcoming workshop.

Watch a spring 2023 Workshop video

Types of Funding

Fund Details Small Sparks Fund Community Partnership Fund
Awards Up to $5,000 Up to $50,000
Application
Deadlines

Applications available on a rolling
basis January 9, 2023 through
October 31, 2023.

2023 Round One (CLOSED)
January 9, 2023 - application open
March 13, 2023, 11:59pm - application deadline

2023 Round Two
July 11, 2023 - application open
September 11, 2023, 11:59pm - application deadline

Notice of Decisions Within four weeks Within six weeks
Contracts
with City
Within four weeks from award notification date Within five weeks from award notification date

Neighborhoods

Jenifer Chao, Interim Director
Address: 600 4th Avenue, 4th Floor, Seattle, WA , 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 94649, Seattle, WA, 98124-4649
Phone: (206) 684-0464
Fax: (206) 233-5142
seattleneighborhoods@seattle.gov

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Seattle Department of Neighborhoods provides resources and opportunities for community members to build strong communities and improve their quality of life.