Neighborhood Matching Fund

In 1988, the Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) was created to provide matching dollars for neighborhood improvement, organizing, or projects developed and implemented by community members. Central to NMF is the community match which requires awardees to match their award with contributions from the community whether as volunteer time, donated materials, donated professional services, or cash.  

Since NMF's creation, more than 5,000 community projects throughout Seattle have received over $64 million in funding and generated an additional $72 million from community match.

Who We Fund

Neighborhood groups, community organizations, informal groups, and business groups who want to do a project to build stronger community connections are encouraged to apply.

All applicant groups must be open and inclusive, actively engage diverse community members, and be significantly composed of people who live and/or work in Seattle.

What We Fund

We fund a variety of unique and creative community projects. To be eligible for funding, a project must:

• involve community members in creating and completing the project; 
• create community improvements;
• be free and open to all members of the public;
• be feasible and ready to begin within 1-2 months from the award date;
• demonstrate community match;
• occur within the Seattle city limits;
• not have received NMF funding within the last two years. (applies only to events)

Community Review

Applications are due February 10, 2026 at 5pm

NMF CRT Application

To ensure fair and informed decision-making, the CPF seeks community reviewers who possess knowledge and interest in community building, neighborhood enhancement, and equity.

Informational Workshops

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is hosting three virtual workshops in 2026 to assist community organizations and neighborhood groups interested in getting funding for their ideas. We encourage you to join the meeting but if you are not able to make it we will have a recording of the workshop available below and a Q&A that will be updated after every workshop.

RSVP for a workshop here.

NMF Workshop #1: Thursday, January 15, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

• Join by phone: (206) 207-1700  
• Access Code: 2487 064 7365  Password: 2026

NMF Workshop #2: Saturday, January 24, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• Join by phone: (206) 207-1700 
• Access Code: 2492 218 4235 Password: 2026

NMF Workshop #3: Wednesday, Febuary 11, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

• Join by phone: (206) 207-1700
• Access Code: 2493 175 4643  Password: 2026

Types of Funding