If you have an idea for a “small and simple” project in your neighborhood, the deadline to apply for a Neighborhood Matching Fund from the Department of Neighborhoods is approaching quickly. All applications must be submitted using the city’s new online application system by May 9, according to a press release from the DON:

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods reminds community groups that the deadline for the 2nd cycle of the 2011 Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) Small and Simple Projects Fund is Monday, May 9. To apply, interested applicants must first register on the new NMF web-based fund management system at least two days before submitting their application online. Visit www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/webapplication.htm to learn more. Applications need to be submitted by 5 p.m. on May 9.

The Small and Simple Projects Fund provides awards of up to $20,000 to support community members as they work together to build a stronger and healthier neighborhood through civic participation. Activities may be physical projects, as well as educational, cultural, and relationship-strengthening activities. Visit www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/smallandsimple.htm to read more.

After May 9, there is one more application cycle in 2011 for the Small and Simple Projects Fund with a deadline of September 12.

Projects that are eligible can receive up to $20,000 in matched funds from the city. Here’s a list of eligibility requirements from the DOM website:

All projects must demonstrate its capacity to build a stronger and healthier community, and must:

• Provide a public benefit and be free and open to all members of the public.
• Emphasize self-help, with project ideas initiated, planned and implemented by the neighbors and community members who will themselves be impacted by the project.
• Demonstrate community match.

Occur within the Seattle city limits.

Past small and simple projects on the Hill include marches and rallies, such as the Seattle Dyke March, a Spanish language queer tortilla making workshop called “Let’s Make Tortillas,” and a project by the Broadway Business Improvement Association in which they gave brooms and dustpans to all street level merchants on Broadway. Projects range from the sustainability-oriented to projects celebrating diversity to the creation of art.

For help with the online application system, there is a workshop today (April 30) from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Garfield Community Center computer lab.