June 13th, 2011 by Doree
The City of Seattle has launched an online portal that makes it easier to apply for grants for community projects. The city offers funding programs ranging from $250 to $1.5 million.
From the press release:
This user-friendly portal organizes the funding opportunities in six categories: youth; technology; community building and organizing; physical improvements; arts and culture; and the environment. Visitors can also search by the name of the city department and funding program(s), or can view all the programs side-by-side in an easy-to-read matrix format.
“We want to make it easy for people to improve their communities,” says Mayor McGinn.
The web portal includes an online calendar which lists funding deadlines, workshops, and events of funded projects. Its blog provides updates on the funding programs and shares stories about community projects. Seattle Department of Neighborhoods has been charged with monitoring the portal and to grow and enhance it over time.
Various city departments manage the funding programs; and the criteria and funding amounts vary depending on the type of project, city priorities, the departments’ capacity, and available funding. Some of the funding programs require a community match of volunteer labor, donated materials, donated professional services, or cash.
Tags: City of Seattle, community projects, funding, grants, online portal
May 3rd, 2011 by Doree
Here’s a reminder that community groups that want to apply for the 2011 Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) Small and Simple Projects Fund must apply by Monday, May 9.
The Small and Simple Projects Fund provides awards of up to $20,000 to support community members as they work together to build a stronger and healthier neighborhood through civic participation. Activities may be physical projects, as well as educational, cultural, and relationship-strengthening activities. Visit http://seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/smallandsimple.htm to read more.
To apply, interested applicants must first register on the new NMF web-based fund management system at least two days before submitting their application online. Visit www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/webapplication.htm to learn more. Applications need to be submitted by 5 p.m. on May 9.
After May 9, there is one more application cycle in 2011 for the Small and Simple Projects Fund with a deadline of September 12.
The Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) program supports projects initiated, planned, and implemented by community members in partnership with Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. Every award is matched by neighborhoods’ or communities’ resources of volunteer labor and donated materials, professional services, or cash. Since it was created 23 years ago, NMF has awarded nearly $47 million with a community match of more than $68 million. Projects have involved 85,000+ volunteers who have donated more than 566,000 work hours.
Tags: application, community projects, deadline, funding, grants, Neighborhood Matching Fund, Small and Simple Projects Fund
February 14th, 2011 by Cory Bergman
Now’s the time to start thinking about neighborhood improvements that could use funding through the 2011 Neighborhood Projects Funds. The NPF is comprised of two budget sources – the Neighborhood Street Fund and the Cumulative Reserve Subfund. According to the NPF Fact Sheet, approximately $1.2 million is set aside in the city budget to fund small-scale improvements to neighborhood streets and parks.
This application is for projects up to $90,000 which would improve parks or streets – such as sidewalk repair, traffic circles, sidewalks, etc. Once applications have been submitted, the Magnolia/Queen Anne District Council will prioritize each project and submit the top three ideas then send them off to the city. The final decision to fund a project will be made by the Mayor’s office and the City Council.
The deadline for the NPF is March 8. Applications can be found here (.pdf.)
Tags: community projects, Cumulative Reserve Subfund, Magnolia/Queen Anne District Council, Neighborhood Projects Funds, Neighborhood Street Fund, NPF
January 5th, 2011 by Thea
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw is looking for candidates to fill three vacancies on the Seattle Parks and Green Spaces Levy Oversight Committee in the coming year. The Parks and Green Spaces Levy, approved by Seattle voters in 2008, has funded $145 million worth of community based projects and programs planned by the citizen advisory group. Here in Queen Anne the levy has backed the Kinnear Park enhancement plan, and allocated funds for a number of neighborhood P-Patches, to name just a few. View all of the projects the levy has funded citywide here (.pdf).
The job of the Parks and Green Spaces Oversight Committee is to help ensure the successful implementation of these projects and programs, and advise the Parks and Rec superintendent, the Mayor and City Council on levy-related issues. Applicants for the three volunteers positions will be reviewed Councilmember Bagshaw, who will then nominate a select few to be confirmed by the City Council.
The oversight committee meets regularly to:
- Advise on expenditures and allocations for each budget year;
- Make recommendations on implementation of particular projects and on any reallocations; and,
- Provide annual reports to the mayor and City Council on progress of expenditures and prepare a mid-point report to Seattle citizens.
Interested applicants should send a letter of interest and resume to the staff representative to the oversight committee Susan Golub at susan.golub@seattle.gov by January 31, 2011. While paper applications will be accepted, electronic submissions are preferred. Paper applications should be sent to: Susan Golub, Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation, 100 Dexter Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109.
Councilmember Bagshaw is committed to promoting diversity in the city’s boards and commissions. Women, persons with disabilities, sexual minorities, and persons of color are highly encouraged to apply.
For more information contact Susan Golub at 206-684-7046 or susan.golub@seattle.gov.
Tags: Community Involvement, community projects, Parks and Green Spaces Levy, Parks and Green Spaces Levy Oversight Committee, volunteering
December 17th, 2010 by Doree
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods has updated its application forms, program guidelines, and deadlines for next year for its three funding programs in the Neighborhood Matching Fund – Large Projects Fund, Small and Simple Fund, and Small Sparks Fund.
There have been several changes and impacts to the Neighborhood Matching Fund for 2011. To provide more opportunities for smaller projects, the Small and Simple Fund now has three application rounds in 2011. The deadline for the first round is January 18, 2011. The Tree Fund will no longer reside in Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, however, funding was transferred to Seattle Public Utilities for Citywide coordination of all tree giving programs in 2011.
For NMF projects that occur on the property of Seattle Parks and Recreation (DPR) as well as Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), projects will continue to require departmental approval and coordination based on established criteria. Overall, the criteria continue to support neighborhood-initiated projects that provide a public benefit and are consistent with the goals of each department. The criteria also continue to limit large scale projects such as neighborhood-wide planning efforts or master plan development for large parks. Lastly, DPR and SDOT may have limitations related to staffing cuts and reassignments. For more detailed information on each department’s project criteria, visit www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/.
The Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) program was created in 1988. All projects are initiated, planned and implemented by community members in partnership with Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. Every award is matched by neighborhoods’ or communities’ resources of volunteer labor and donated materials, professional services, or cash. Since the program was created 22 years ago, the Neighborhood Matching Fund has awarded nearly $47 million with a community match of more than $68 million. Projects have involved more than 85,000 volunteers who have donated more than 566,000 work hours.
Tags: community projects, Neighborhood Matching Fund, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, Small and Simple Fund, Small Sparks Fund
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