The City of Seattle is investing $1,099,900 to support 22 community-initiated projects through Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ Neighborhood Matching Fund. Its Community Partnership Fund offers matching funds of up to $100,000 to community organizations committed to fostering and building our community. These awards range from $15,000 to $100,000 with the 22 organizations pledging over $916,816 in community match including volunteer hours, locally raised money, donated materials, and in-kind professional services.

“This investment supports the dedication of the many community members who roll up their sleeves to build a more vibrant and inclusive city. Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is proud to partner with these organizations as we work to engage and strengthen their neighborhoods and community.” – Andrés Mantilla, director of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods

The Neighborhood Matching Fund has two funds: Community Partnership Fund, which is offered three times a year with cash awards up to $100,000; and Small Sparks Fund, which is offered on a rolling basis throughout the year with cash awards of up to $5,000.

The Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) provides more than $3 million each year to local organizations. Over its nearly 30-year history, more than 5,000 projects have been funded in partnership with the NMF Program, and its investment in neighborhoods can be seen across the city. For more information about NMF, visit seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/.

2018 Community Partnership Fund Awards – Spring Cycle

Citywide (Across all Districts)

$15,000 to BrazilFest 2018 happening on Sunday, August 19 from noon – 7 pm at Seattle Center. The event will include music, food, dancing, workshops and children’s activities all done in a big Brazilian way. (Community match: $11,000)

happening on Sunday, August 19 from noon – 7 pm at Seattle Center. The event will include music, food, dancing, workshops and children’s activities all done in a big Brazilian way. (Community match: $11,000) $27,900 to City Fruit to execute the Harvest for All project expanding their harvest and distribution work to include Northgate, Capitol Hill, Central District, and downtown Seattle neighborhoods. This expansion broadens access to a more equitable, neighborly food system. (Community match: $16,760)

to execute the Harvest for All project expanding their harvest and distribution work to include Northgate, Capitol Hill, Central District, and downtown Seattle neighborhoods. This expansion broadens access to a more equitable, neighborly food system. (Community match: $16,760) $78,600 to the 2018 Gullah Geechee Festival: Call and Response, a diverse set of activities held throughout the year to include poetry readings, a genealogy weekend, an American Gullah Art Exhibit, and a three-day Gullah Geechee Family Reunion in August. (Community match: $64,208)

District 1

$20,000 to install a year-round hydroponic garden at the South Park Community Center to provide the residents in the South Park area access to healthy fresh foods by giving them the means to grow their own leafy greens year-round. (Community match $16,600)

District 2

$78,700 for Phase 2 construction of the Wetmore Community Garden located on Wetmore Ave S and South Estelle St. This project transformed a neglected right-of-way into a community farm that provides neighbors a safe clean environment to grow food and build community. (Community match $39,353)

located on Wetmore Ave S and South Estelle St. This project transformed a neglected right-of-way into a community farm that provides neighbors a safe clean environment to grow food and build community. (Community match $39,353) $80,000 for the South Seattle Youth Theatre Initiative , an Intiman Theatre collaboration with local community partners to organize after-school, youth theater workshops. The workshops will focus on acting and performance as well as training in the technical and backstage elements of theater. (Community match: $60,000)

, an Intiman Theatre collaboration with local community partners to organize after-school, youth theater workshops. The workshops will focus on acting and performance as well as training in the technical and backstage elements of theater. (Community match: $60,000) $53,000 to the Rainier Chamber of Commerce for the Connect 10,000 Video Storytelling project which will include 50 professional videos showcasing the diverse businesses and organizations in southeast Seattle with a focus on women of color and youth. (Community match: $52,640)

for the Connect 10,000 Video Storytelling project which will include 50 professional videos showcasing the diverse businesses and organizations in southeast Seattle with a focus on women of color and youth. (Community match: $52,640) $37,000 for the San Gennaro Festival , a three-day celebration of the flavors and arts of the Italian community in historic Georgetown where Italian immigrants settled when first arriving to Seattle. (Community match: $34,370)

, a three-day celebration of the flavors and arts of the Italian community in historic Georgetown where Italian immigrants settled when first arriving to Seattle. (Community match: $34,370) $100,000 to the Haida Roots Language & Youth Arts Program, an effort of the Haida Heritage Foundation (HHF) to keep the culture and critically endangered Xaad kil (Haida language) alive. The project includes dance, music, and regalia making with local artists, plus a community celebration. (Community match: $60,179)

District 3

$60,000 to Tasveer for the Desi X NW festival, a six-day literary and storytelling event in December featuring poets, novelists, and other writers from the South Asian community. The festival includes workshops on writing fiction, comedy, screenplays and graphic novels. (Community match: $37,500)

for the Desi X NW festival, a six-day literary and storytelling event in December featuring poets, novelists, and other writers from the South Asian community. The festival includes workshops on writing fiction, comedy, screenplays and graphic novels. (Community match: $37,500) $96,000 for the Borealis Festival of Light , a nightly display of light art in South Lake Union Park and surrounding areas this October. The festival will feature live music, street art performances, lighting art installations, and multi-media projections on surrounding structures. (Community match: $162,800)

, a nightly display of light art in South Lake Union Park and surrounding areas this October. The festival will feature live music, street art performances, lighting art installations, and multi-media projections on surrounding structures. (Community match: $162,800) $28,000 to African Ethnic Media of Seattle for the Community Connect Through Ethnic Media project training ten youth ages 16 to 21 in video production, broadcast techniques, interview and research practices, journalistic writing, and documentary methods. (Community match: $30,300)

for the Community Connect Through Ethnic Media project training ten youth ages 16 to 21 in video production, broadcast techniques, interview and research practices, journalistic writing, and documentary methods. (Community match: $30,300) $28,000 to BEGO, Inc. for the Ethiopian Heritage Arts and Music Festival 2018, a free all-day event featuring Ethiopian musicians, dancers, artists, food, family activities, and multi-cultural performances in collaboration with the Duwamish community. (Community match: $69,500)

District 4

$43,200 to the Eli’s Park Project, a community engagement process for the renovation of the Burke-Gilman Playground Park. This phase will result in a schematic design and preliminary cost estimates. (Community match: $31,207)

District 6

$17,400 to Community Cinema Group for the Outdoor Movie at Ballard Commons Park, a free outdoor movie on August 18 in Ballard Commons Park that will provide an enjoyable and relaxing night out for locals and a way for groups and nonprofits to connect with residents. (Community match: $23,425)

for the Outdoor Movie at Ballard Commons Park, a free outdoor movie on August 18 in Ballard Commons Park that will provide an enjoyable and relaxing night out for locals and a way for groups and nonprofits to connect with residents. (Community match: $23,425) $60,000 to the Nordic Museum’s Viking Days Festival celebrating its 35th anniversary on July 14-15. This free event offers a rich overview of Nordic culture for new and regular visitors alike. (Community match: $57,212)

celebrating its 35th anniversary on July 14-15. This free event offers a rich overview of Nordic culture for new and regular visitors alike. (Community match: $57,212) $49,000 to Friends of the Ballard Civic Orchestra for the Music as a Bridge to Intercultural Understanding project using music to engage community members with Latino culture. There will be orchestra rehearsals and public performances celebrating culturally significant events. (Community match: $31,600)

for the Music as a Bridge to Intercultural Understanding project using music to engage community members with Latino culture. There will be orchestra rehearsals and public performances celebrating culturally significant events. (Community match: $31,600) $22,500 to the Whittier Heights Community Council for the Totem Pole in Baker Park project to replace a Haida totem pole and restore plants at Baker Park. A celebration of the replacement pole will be held in cooperation with the Haida Community Dancers. (Community match: $13,273)

District 7