Today Seattle Mayor Ed Murray announced the 24 community groups receiving matching funds to support neighborhood-initiated projects across the city. Totaling $464,823, the awards are from the Neighborhood Matching Fund for a variety of physical improvements, cultural festivals, and events.

“These awards recognize the dedication and hard work of community members working together to improve their neighborhood,” said Mayor Murray. “Whether the projects are for physical improvements or a cultural celebration, the benefit of this program is the connection and engagement of neighbors and the broader community.”

These awards are part of the Small and Simple Projects Fund, one of three funds offered by Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. It provides cash awards of up to $25,000 in matching funds to community organizations committed to fostering and building a better community. The 2015 November awards range from $5,000 to $25,000, and the organizations pledge to match the City of Seattle’s $464,823 investment with $523,744 of locally raised money, donated materials, and volunteer labor.

“The Neighborhood Matching Fund has been such an incredible resource for communities over the past 27 years,” said Kathy Nyland, director of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. “The dollars raised by community groups are leveraged with the help of the Fund which means a “win” for the groups and their projects, but also a “win” for the community at large. This round of projects is diverse and creative and proves once again how resourceful communities are throughout Seattle.”

In addition to the Small and Simple Projects Fund, the Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) has two other programs: the Large Projects Fund which provides matching funds of up to $100,000, and the Small Sparks Fund which provides funds of up to $1,000. Since 1988 more than 5,000 projects have been completed by neighborhoods and communities with the help of NMF, and its investment in neighborhoods can be seen across the city. For more information about all of the funds visit seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/.

The Small and Simple Projects Fund opens again for applications in January of 2016. To learn more visit seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/smallandsimple.htm.

2015 November Small and Simple Projects Fund Awardees

District 1
$17,172 to Delridge Advisory Core Team to survey and do outreach to create a shared vision for business prosperity, foster community-oriented economic development, and connect neighborhood businesses and residents. (Community match: $9,800)

$25,000 to West Seattle Junction Association to procure and install a large piece of public art, along with lighting, in the Junction Plaza Park. (Community match: $28,660)

$8,900 to Friends of the Chilberg Link to extensively landscape a sloped median on Chilberg Avenue SW leading to Emma Schmitz Park to grow edible plants and create an attractive display. (Community match: $10,888)

District 2
$11,750 to Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience to create an exhibit about the Danny Woo Community Garden featuring oral histories of pioneers and elderly immigrant gardeners and hands-on learning activities. (Community match: $47,171)

District 3
$25,000 to Gay City Arts to organize events exploring the experiences of three marginalized groups within LGBT communities: people of color, transgender and genderqueer people, and people over 40. The free events will include classes in visual, literary and performing arts, along with community dialogues and performances. (Community match: $33,404)

$25,000 to Tasveer to organize the 11th Aaina: South Asian Women’s Focus festival to celebrate the artistic and activist work of and about South Asian women and their community through film, visual art, performances, and conversations. (Community match: $48,750)

$15,000 to Madrona PTSA to install a reader board at the school’s front entrance to engage the Madrona community with school news and neighborhood events. (Community match: $15,085)

$12,800 to Friends of Mt. Baker Ridge Viewpoint to remove invasive plants, restore native habitat, preserve the view corridor and do some replacement planting. (Community match: $12,820)

$10,000 to Capitol Hill Champion to organize community engagement regarding neighborhood priorities for Capitol Hill Station Transit Oriented Development though focused conversations and design charrettes with underrepresented populations to promote inclusion of neighborhood preferences. (Community match: $7,720)

$25,000 to First Hill Improvement Association to engage the community in a visioning and concept design for First Hill Park to make it a safe, active open space. (Community match: $13,500)

$25,000 to Friends of the Conservatory to conduct a feasibility study addressing improvements of water usage in Volunteer Park. Study will include preliminary design and cost estimates. (Community match: $12,500)

$24,640 to Montlake Community Club to work with community stakeholders to develop a planning document to improve the vitality of the Montlake business district along the 24th Avenue corridor to Highway 520. (Community match: $15,900)

District 4
$25,000 to Sand Point Arts and Cultural Exchange for KMGP 101.1, a new low-power FM radio station that will broadcast arts and culturally relevant news, music, and programming. Station will provide opportunities for after school youth job training, school programming, and community involvement. (Community match $46,279)

$10,000 to Friends of North Lake Union to do the initial assessment and planning requirements for the creation of a small scale environmental restoration project for Waterway 22 located on N Northlake Way at Stone Way N. (Community match: $5,000)

District 6
$12,390 to Friends of the Ballard Civic Orchestra to create a multigenerational, multiethnic community orchestra that is open to the public, and offer rehearsals, instructional workshops and performances without charge. (Community match: $15,430)

$8,968 for Sand Point Elementary PTA to create a more usable, safer sport court in the covered indoor/outdoor play area by installing a textured surface marked for various sports. (Community match: $8,968)

$25,000 to Friends of Ballard Avenue to create a plan for permanent overhead street lighting for historic Ballard Ave NW that will foster an improved sense of security and enhance this historic, iconic neighborhood. (Community match: $12,550)

District 7
$25,000 to Lawton Elementary School PTA to implement Phase 1 of playground improvements to reduce maintenance costs, improve watershed function, and increase connectivity to surrounding parklands. (Community match: $83,750)

$10,000 to Friends of Bell Street Park Reading Room to put out carts of books, tables, and chairs to create a mobile public reading room at Bell Street Park events and in the Belltown Community Center. (Community match: $12,120)

$25,000 to South Lake Union Community Council for the second phase of design work for a series of micro-parks along Westlake Avenue N from Denny Way to Lake Union Park intended to enhance the vibrancy of the public space along the arterial. (Community match: $12,500)

$25,000 to Magnolia Trail Community to carry out Phase II of a community-informed study to develop a walk/bike trail through roughly 300 yards of SDOT and Seattle Parks land that is currently a gap in the network of citywide trails. (Community match: $13,500)

Citywide
$25,000 to Deaf Spotlight to offer a three-week summer theater camp for 15-20 middle and high school youth who are hard of hearing or are signing hearing children of deaf adults. Project culminates in performance of a play that the students write and produce. (Community match: $25,000)

$25,000 to Garinagu Houngua to organize workshops for the community to learn about the language, culture, and art of the Garifuna people from Garifuna natives. Project will culminate in a cultural event with presentations, dance, art, and food. (Community match: $15,900)

$23,203 to Festival Centro Americano to organize a free event in August, 2016 of Central American cultural performances, cultural expression, and cultural exchange. (Community match: $16,550)