The Bill Wright Technology Matching Fund
We are now accepting applications for the 2010 Technology Matching Fund.
Grant application deadline: Monday, March 8th at 5:00pm.
Come to our grant information session to learn more: Saturday, Feb 6th from 10:30am - 12:00
At Miller Community Center,
330 19th Ave. E 98112 (just south of John St.)
The Technology Matching Fund (the TMF) program, established in 1997, supports community's efforts to close the digital divide and encourage a technology-healthy city. The program provides grants where the community's contribution of volunteer labor, materials, professional services, or cash is "matched" by the Technology Matching Fund. This program is administered by the Community Technology Program of the City's Department of Information Technology and is funded with cable franchise fees.
In 2004 the Fund was named in memory of Bill Wright, a Central District community leader who embodied our goal of creating digital opportunity for all and using technology tools to build strong neighborhoods.
Download the 2010 grant application:
TMF Guidelines and Resources
TMF Application Form
TMF Budget Form
Program Goals
The fund supports projects that reach technology underserved communities, thereby increasing "digital inclusion." The City's goals are to:
Funds Available
The fund has one application cycle per year. The City will award grants of up to $20,000 from a total fund of $300,000 in 2010. Grants are awarded for distinct projects that can be completed within one year.
Application Assistance
Grant Review Clinics
If you would like the Community Technology staff to review your proposal prior to the application deadline, please call Delia Burke at (206) 233-2751 or email delia.burke@seattle.gov to schedule an appointment. Grant review clinics will be held on Monday Feb 22 nd and Tuesday, Feb 23rd.
Ongoing Support
If you have general questions about the grant program or would like to discuss your project idea, please contact Delia Burke at (206) 233-2751 or delia.burke@seattle.gov, or other Community Technology Program staff.
Granting Timeline
Following are key dates for the 2010 Technology Matching Fund cycle:
Grant review clinics |
Feb 22nd - 23rd, 2010 |
Application deadline |
March 8th, 2010 |
Award notification. All applicants will be notified of award decisions. Some groups may need to meet certain conditions identified by the City before receiving funding. |
Mid May, 2010 |
City Council approval |
July, 2010 |
Contracting. Successful applicants will sign a contract with the City to receive funds for their project. The City will reimburse grantees for budget expenses after the contract is signed. You are not allowed to spend project funds before the contract is signed. |
July - August 2010 |
Project implementation. Projects must be completed within one year. |
September, 2011 |
Application Scoring
A committee made up of Seattle residents from the City's Citizens Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Board (CTTAB) will review your application. They will rate your proposal using a set of selection criteria. Review this criteria to help create a strong application. The committee will then select finalists to be invited to an interview. This step helps the review committee learn more about the projects and clarify any questions they may have. After all the interviews, award decisions will be made.
Application Submission
Your application package must include the Application Form and Budget Spreadsheet and attachments, if applicable.
You may include other materials to help reviewers better understand your proposal and strengthen your appplication. Some examples of useful attachments include:
- Community support letters
- Volunteer pledge sheets
- Current program schedule of classes
- List of existing equipment
- Equipment purchases showing budget research
- Brochures, flyers or other promotional materials
You may add space as necessary to complete the questions on the forms. You can submit your application by email or in a hard copy format. We request that you please email as much of your application as possible
Deliver your application to:
Delia Burke, Technology Matching Fund Manager
City of Seattle, Department of Information Technology
700 5th Avenue, Suite 2700
P.O. Box 94709
Seattle, WA 98124-4709
communitytechnology@seattle.gov
206-233-2751
You can also submit your application to a Neighborhood Service Center. For a list of Neighborhood Service Center locations.
All applications must be easy to photocopy. Do not staple or bind hard copy applications.
Eligiblity Requirements
The following groups are eligible to apply for Technology Matching Funds:
- 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations located in Seattle serving Seattle residents
- Nonprofits who are not 501(c)3 designated, but who have a fiscal agent
- Ad hoc groups of residents who form organizations to work on a specific projects
- Community councils, neighborhood associations, or groups of businesses that draws their memberships from a commonly recognized geographic neighborhoods in Seattle
- Community-based organizations with a majority of its members residing or operating in Seattle and who seek to improve the quality of life for a particular community in Seattle
Applicant groups must have a non-discrimination membership policy and actively seek the involvement of community members and/or business proprietors.
The following groups are not eligible to apply directly for funds:
- Individuals
- Single businesses
- Religious organizations
- Governmental agencies
- Political groups
- District councils
- Universities
- Public schools
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- Hospitals
- City departments
- Newspapers
- State, local and national foundations
- Fraternal organizations
- Organizations not located in or serving Seattle residents
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Non eligible groups may participate as partners or contribute match to the projects of eligible applicants.
The following kinds of projects are not eligible for funding:
- Projects that duplicate an existing private or public program
- Projects that conflict with existing City policy. For more information on the City’s Charter, Municipal Code and legislation
- Civic engagement projects that seek only to increase lobbying for a particular position
Looking for Ideas and Project Examples?
You can take a look at descriptions of the projects funded in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003,
2004,
2005,
2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. We have also compiled some examples to illustrate possible projects. The Neighborhood Matching Fund database also offers useful descriptions of completed Neighborhood Matching Fund projects. For technology projects, search for specific technologies (i.e., computers or video). You can also review a list of CTCs in the area if you are interested in partnering with an existing technology provider.
Other City Funding Opportunities
Many departments in the City offer funding opportunities for your projects.
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