The Neighborhood Matching Fund’s 2011 Small and Simple Projects Fund will begin accepting applications on Thursday, September 1 for the fall funding cycle. The fund provides awards of up to $20,000 to community based groups and organizations to support neighborhood projects that build community.

From the new release:

In recognition of Emergency Preparedness Month this September, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) and Seattle Office of Emergency Management (OEM) encourage community members to apply for funding to help them organize and engage their neighbors and plan for emergency and disaster situations.

The deadline for the Small and Simple Projects Fund for awards up to $20,000 is Monday, October 17 by 5 p.m. Community members can also apply to the Small Sparks Fund for awards up to $1000 with applications accepted year-round. To learn more, visit www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/.

Two workshops have been scheduled for community members to learn more about the NMF program and emergency preparedness project ideas. The workshops will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 13 at the Ballard Public Library (5614 22nd Ave NW); and on Thursday, September 15 at The 2100 Building (2100 24th Ave S). All applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a workshop.

Community members are also encouraged to contact a Neighborhood Matching Fund Project Manager before applying at 206-233-0093 or NMFund@seattle.gov. For those applying for emergency preparedness projects, contact the Seattle Office for Emergency Management at SNAP@seattle.gov or call 206-233-5076.

It’s that time of year again – Seattle’s annual Spring Clean event is coming up in April and May. And as part of the preparations for the citywide clean-up, the city is looking for community organizations and members to set-up community service events in their neighborhoods.

From the Spring Clean website.

Spring Clean provides opportunities for citizens to clean up Seattle’s public open spaces of their choice with city support, including planning assistance, gloves, safety vests, disposal bags, transfer station passes, and waste disposal. Typical volunteer projects include litter pick ups, invasive plant removal, storm drain stenciling, graffiti removal, and general area beautification.

To find out about participating events, or start your own, contact Gretchen Muller at gretchen.muller@seattle.gov. If you’d like to register your own event with the city, fill out this sign-up form (.pdf) and send it to Gretchen. More information here.