As part of the just-concluded city-budgeting process for next year, the Neighborhood Matching Fund process is changing. It’s been a important source of funding for many projects in West Seattle as well as other parts of the city, and this morning the Department of Neighborhoods has sent an explanation of the changes ahead – read on:

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods announces the 2011 program for the nationally recognized Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF). Updated application forms, program guidelines, and application deadlines are available for its three funding programs – Large Projects Fund, Small and Simple Fund, and Small Sparks Fund.

There have been several changes and impacts to the Neighborhood Matching Fund for
2011. To provide more opportunities for smaller projects, the Small and Simple Fund now has three application rounds in 2011. The deadline for the first round is January 18, 2011. The Tree Fund will no longer reside in Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, however, funding was transferred to Seattle Public Utilities for Citywide coordination of all tree giving programs in 2011.

For NMF projects that occur on the property of Seattle Parks and Recreation (DPR) as well as Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), projects will continue to require departmental approval and coordination based on established criteria. Overall, the criteria continue to support neighborhood-initiated projects that provide a public benefit and are consistent with the goals of each department. The criteria also continue to limit large scale projects such as neighborhood-wide planning efforts or master plan development for large parks. Lastly, DPR and SDOT may have limitations related to staffing cuts and reassignments. For more detailed information on each department’s project criteria, visit
www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/

The Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) program was created in 1988. All projects are initiated, planned and implemented by community members in partnership with Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. Every award is matched by neighborhoods’ or communities’ resources of volunteer labor and donated materials, professional services, or cash. Since the program was created 22 years ago, the Neighborhood
Matching Fund has awarded nearly $47 million with a community match of more than $68 million. Projects have involved more than 85,000 volunteers who have donated more than 566,000 work hours.