Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ popular Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) announces 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 5000 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. This is great funding opportunity for implementing small community projects as well as supporting 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 February 2, June 1, and October 5, 2015 by 5:00 p.m. For those interested in applying in February, NMF staff is hosting workshops about the guidelines and application process. The dates are as follows:
· Thursday, January 8; 6 – 8 p.m. at El Centro de la Raza, 2524 16th Ave S – Room 309
· Wednesday, January 14; 6 – 8 p.m. at Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave N – 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, 2015 by 5:00 p.m. It is mandatory for interested community groups to attend one of the six LPF workshops offered before applying. The workshops are as follows:
· Tuesday, February 10; 6 – 8 p.m. at Northgate Community Center, 10510 5th Ave NE – Multipurpose Room
· Thursday, February 19; 6 – 8 p.m. at Casa Latina 317 17th Ave S – Worker’s Center
· Tuesday, March 10; 6 – 8 p.m. at High Point Community Center, 6420 34th Ave SW –Multipurpose Room
· Thursday, March 18; 6 – 8 p.m. at Northgate Community Center, 10510 5th Ave NE – Multipurpose Room
· Wednesday, April 1; 6 – 8 p.m. at Garfield Community Center, 2323 E Cherry St. –
Multipurpose Room
· Thursday, April 9; 6 – 8 p.m.at El Centro de la Raza, 2524 16th Ave S – 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 and its support to community-initiated projects, visit www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf. The website provides details on the criteria and requirements for each fund, along with instructions for the online application process.