Want to make a difference in Ballard? Have an interesting project that you think the neighborhood can't do without?

Say hello to the Neighborhood Matching Fund's Small and Simple Projects Fund, which will provide up to $25,000 to support community efforts around the city.

In Ballard, we have seen a number of projects come to life thanks to the Small and Simple Grant's help, including the automated ringing of the original Ballard Town Hall bell in Marvin's Garden, cleaning up the Sunset Hill-Shilshole Gateway Project, information materials for five emergency preparedness hubs in Ballard and more.

Here's the official message from the Department of Neighborhoods:

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August 26, 2013 (Seattle, WA) – Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is accepting applications to the Neighborhood Matching Fund’s Small and Simple Projects Fund. The deadline for receipt of applications is 5 p.m. on Monday, October 7.

The Small and Simple Projects Fund provides matching funds of up to $25,000 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.

To learn about the guidelines and application process, visit seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/smallandsimple.htm or attend a Neighborhood Matching Fund workshop on Tuesday, September 10 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute (104 17th Ave S). To begin the application process, groups need to register first at webgrants.seattle.gov, our web-based application and fund management system.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Neighborhood Matching Fund has awarded approximately $50 million to neighborhood groups for community projects across the city. To learn more about the Fund, visit www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/.

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