The Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF), created in 1988 by the City of Seattle, provides financial support for neighborhood improvement, organizing, and other community-driven projects. The fund’s core principle is the community match, which requires awardees to contribute resources such as volunteer hours, donated materials, professional services, or cash to match the awarded funds. Since its inception, over $64 million has been awarded to more than 5,000 community projects, generating an additional $72 million through the community match.

The NMF is designed to support neighborhood groups, community organizations, informal groups, and business groups that are engaged in projects aimed at strengthening community connections. To be eligible for funding, applicants must be open, inclusive, and involve a significant portion of people who live or work in Seattle. The projects must engage community members in their design and execution, create tangible community improvements, and be open and accessible to all Seattle residents. The project should be feasible and ready to begin within 1-2 months from the award date and must occur within the city limits of Seattle. Additionally, projects that have received NMF funding within the past two years (specifically events) are not eligible to apply.

The NMF is divided into two distinct funding streams: the Small Sparks Fund and the Community Partnership Fund. The Small Sparks Fund offers awards up to $5,000 for smaller community projects, while the Community Partnership Fund supports larger initiatives with awards up to $50,000. Applications for the Small Sparks Fund are accepted on a rolling basis until October 31, 2025. Applicants for this fund are encouraged to submit their applications six to eight weeks prior to the start date of their project. In contrast, the Community Partnership Fund has two application rounds in 2025. Round One opens on January 6, 2025, and the deadline is March 10, 2025. Round Two opens on July 7, 2025, with a deadline of September 8, 2025.

For both funds, applicants will be notified of the decisions within six to eight weeks after the deadline. After being awarded, contracts with the city are typically finalized within four to six weeks. In addition to submitting an application, applicants can also participate in virtual workshops organized by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods to guide them through the application process. These workshops will be held in January, February, and March of 2025.

Applicants can access more information and register for workshops via the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods website. The NMF encourages community involvement and engagement to strengthen neighborhoods and improve the overall quality of life in Seattle.