The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods announced the 2010 Neighborhood Matching Fund Small and Simple grant winners April 22. The city gave $56,895 to five projects in Ballard and Crown Hill.

Recipients of the Small and Simple grant receive up to $20,000 in funding to improve their neighborhoods and communities through various projects, either physical or less tangible but equally significant educational, cultural and relationship-strengthening activities.

The goal of the Small and Simple-funded projects is to build stronger and healthier communities through driven participation centered on a neighborhood or community, according to a Department of Neighborhoods press release.

Greg's Garden P-Patch, located on 14th Avenue Northwest and Northwest 54th Street, received $3,000 to strengthen its gardening community and add physical improvements, such as new compost bins, replanted perimeter gardens, an herb garden and a donation garden.

Friends of Labateyah received $17,000 to create a Labateyah master site plan for the Labateyah Youth Home at 9010 13th Ave. N.W.

The Crown Hill Neighborhood Association received $4,895 for the Crown Hill Tree Walk and Survey, which will catalogue Crown Hill's environmentally and culturally valuable trees. The project will include a walking tour, a scavenger hunt and other events.

City Fruit received $15,000 for a harvest expansion and urban orchard development. With the grant, City Fruit plans to expand into the Ballard area.

The Crown Hill Playground Project Committee received $17,000 for upgrades to the playground at the former Crown Hill Elementary School, now the Crown Hill Center, located at 9250 14th Ave. N.W.

“Partnerships between city and community are more important than ever in this economy," Stella Chao, Department of Neighborhoods director, said in the press release. "The Neighborhood Matching Fund program continues to support the many projects that are so valuable to the communities in Seattle."

The Neighborhood Matching Fund program was created in 1988. All projects are initiated, planned and implemented by community members in partnership with the city. Every award is matched by neighborhoods’ or communities’ resources of volunteer labor, donated materials, donated professional services or cash.

The last round of applications accepted for Small and Simple funds is due on July 12. To apply or learn more about the funds, click here.