The Neighborhood Matching Grant Program provides Kirkland neighborhoods the opportunity to apply for City funds to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods. Neighborhood matching grant funds have resulted in many physical improvements in the neighborhoods as well as community building activities.
Funding Criteria
Proposed projects will be evaluated on their scope and quality. To be eligible, projects must meet the following conditions:
The Neighborhood Association Matching Grant Process is now completely digital. The City of Kirkland has partnered with FORWARD to make the overall experience easier. Below is a tutorial video to help guide you through the process of creating an account and submitting an application through the portal.
Ready to apply? Please follow this link Neighborhood Matching Grant Application Portal
Once Neighborhood Associations have received approval of their projects and have received a copy of the fully executed agreement, they may commence with their approved projects.
For questions, please contact Don Robinson.
Eligible Matching Grant projects fall into five categories:
Note: Individuals, single businesses, city-wide organizations, social services, fraternal and religious groups, political groups, and public agencies are not eligible as applicants. However, eligible neighborhood organizations are encouraged to form partnerships with these ineligible groups to plan and implement projects. The neighborhood organization must be the lead applicant and have the primary role in the partnership.
Important notes: Funds cannot be used to supplant the association’s operating budget. Funds may not be used for the purpose of assisting a campaign for election of any person to any office or for the promotion of or opposition to any ballot proposition.
Project Tips, Ideas, and Restrictions The following project tips and ideas can help build community and make the most of limited Matching Grant funds. For example:
The following items will not be reimbursed:
The Neighborhood Association Matching Grant program is awarded on a merit basis and per capita basis. For every dollar requested from the Matching Grant Program, the neighborhood must match the value of the amount requested. The following items can qualify for matching funds:
The following are some basic requirements for developing a neighborhood match package:
After projects have been approved by the City, the Neighborhood Chair will receive a Matching Grant Program Agreement for electronic signature. The agreement outlines the scope of work, funding, and reporting requirements under the grant program and reflects the neighborhood's proposed work plan and budget included in the Matching Grant application. Once the agreement is fully signed, the Neighborhood Association may only then commence with their approved projects outlined under the agreement.
Matching grant funds will be released to the Association on a reimbursement basis. Funds are typically dispersed within two weeks of your online reimbursement submission with copies of approved invoice/receipt. These funds may only be used to support the activities described in your proposed work plan and budget. Significant changes in your program or budget must be approved by the City representative before funds are expended. Reimbursement request submission is now completely digital through your online account through the Neighborhood Matching Grant Program Portal.
Submit for reimbursement
The Final Report has two purposes:
The projects must be completed with all funds used and distributed by December 15 of the end of the 2-year grant program. A Final Report and Match Log must be submitted by January 31 of the following year. Final reports and Match Logs are submitted through your online account.
Submit Final Report and/or Match Log
Important Note: Organizations that fail to submit a Final Report will be ineligible for future grants.
The City of Kirkland purchases a general liability insurance policy to cover the Neighborhood Associations' projects, events, and participation under the terms of the Matching Grant Agreement. Meaning coverage is for approved projects and events to be performed by the Association under the terms of the agreement. This also includes coverage for meetings as regular meetings are in compliance with Neighborhood Association requirements under the Matching Grant Agreement. For additional questions, please contact Don Robinson.
Neighborhood Association General Liability Insurance Policy 2022-2023(PDF, 819KB)
Don Robinson Senior Community Engagement Coordinator 425-587-3011 drobinson@kirklandwa.gov
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