Neighborhood Matching Grant Program

About the Program

The City of Kirkland established the Neighborhood Matching Grant Program in 1996 to give neighborhoods access to City funds to improve the quality of life in Kirkland neighborhoods. The program supports Neighborhood Associations and their work in resolving significant neighborhood needs.

Applications are now closed.

Who We Fund

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 Kirkland.

Neighborhood Associations must meet the four (4) following conditions:

Serves Kirkland

  • Be located in the City of Kirkland; and
  • Have boundaries contiguous with the City's neighborhood designations.

Take a closer look through the Kirkland Neighborhood Associations Map PDF.

Kirkland-Neighborhoods.jpg

Neighborhood Association Criteria

Neighborhood Association must meet the following:

  • Be incorporated as a non-profit, tax-exempt organization;
  • Have a majority of the organization’s members living or operating businesses in the neighborhood;
  • Have a Board of Directors and neighborhood association bylaws;
  • Have open membership to all neighborhood residents;
  • Actively seek membership and not discriminate;
  • Have the primary role in the Neighborhood Matching Grant program; and
  • Have a minimum of five neighborhood residents involved in the proposed Neighborhood Matching Grant project.

Ineligible applicants include:

  • Individuals;
  • Single businesses;
  • City-wide organizations;
  • Social services;
  • Fraternal and religious groups;
  • Political groups; and
  • Public agencies.

However, eligible Neighborhood Associations are encouraged to form partnerships with these ineligible groups to plan and implement projects. The Neighborhood Association must be the lead applicant and have the primary role in the partnership.

Project Scope

The project scope must:

  • Provide public benefit to the neighborhood.
  • Demonstrate a need and support for the project.
  • Fulfill Matching Grant contribution.
  • Take place within Kirkland’s neighborhood boundaries.
  • Involve neighborhood residents directly in all phases.
  • Be accomplished in two (2) years or less.
  • Maintained by neighborhood volunteers (if applicable).

Project Restrictions

The following items will not be reimbursed:

  • Supplemental to the Neighborhood Association’s operating budget;
  • Assistance in political campaigns for elections of any person to any office or for the promotion or opposition to any ballot proposition;
  • Alcohol;
  • Balloons;
  • Costly or extravagant food items;
  • Flowers;
  • Gifts/gift cards to board members or residents;
  • Investments (such as land purchases) and any costs associated;
  • Police and Fire staff;
  • Projects without prior approval;
  • Refreshments or supplies for neighborhood meetings; and
  • Styrofoam products.

Matching Contribution

The Neighborhood Matching Grant Program is awarded on a merit basis and per capita basis. For every dollar requested from this program, the neighborhood must match the value of the amount requested.

The following items can qualify for matching funds:

  • Donated professional services
  • Donated materials or supplies
  • Volunteer labor
  • Cash

The following are some basic requirements for developing a neighborhood match package:

  • The value of the neighborhood’s match must equal or exceed the amount requested from the Matching Grant Program.
  • At least 25% of the neighborhood’s match must come from the neighborhood itself, as opposed to other funders, the School District, or other public/government entity.
  • The amount and type of match must be appropriate to the needs of the project.
  • Proposed match must be expended during the life of the grant, neither prior to an award nor after the project’s contract has ended.
  • The neighborhood match must be specifically described on the Neighborhood Match Log and signed by the Neighborhood Association Chair or President.
  • Assistance from City staff or funds from elsewhere in the City cannot be counted as a match contribution.
  • Time spent preparing the grant application or fundraising cannot be counted as a match contribution.
  • Neighborhood Association meeting preparation or attendance (including planning and agenda preparation) cannot be counted as a match contribution.
  • City meeting attendance (e.g., Council, boards and commissions, public outreach) cannot be counted as a match contribution.
  • All volunteer labor is valued at $34.87 an hour.
  • Professional services, if needed for the project, are valued at the “reasonable and customary rate.”

What We Fund

Neighborhood Projects

Eligible projects fall into five (5) categories:

  1. Community Building Events: Neighborhood picnics, Fourth of July parade entry, holiday events, outdoor health/recreation (walking, biking, running) events, and emergency preparedness fairs;
  2. Communications and Operations: Neighborhood website, mailings, newsletters, meeting space, and administrative costs;
  3. Physical Improvement Projects: Landscape beautification, playground and minor park improvements, tree planting, and clean-up;
  4. Neighborhood Identity Projects: Signage and neighborhood entrance beautification, banners, and public art; and
  5. Leadership Training and Education: Sponsorship of board members or residents to leadership and training opportunities.

2025-2026 Grant Amounts

 Neighborhood  Estimated Population*   2025 Grant Amount   2026 Grant Amount   Total 2025-2026 Grant Amount
 Central Houghton   3,992  $1,295  $1,295  $2,591
 Everest  1,887  $1,060  $1,060  $2,121
 Evergreen Hill  11,687  $2,154  $2,154  $4,308
 Finn Hill  15,722  $2,604  $2,604  $5,208
 Highlands  2,627  $1,143  $1,143  $2,286
 Juanita  20,302  $3,115  $3,115  $6,230
 Lakeview  4,088  $1,306  $1,306  $2,612
 Market  2,373  $1,115  $1,115  $2,229
 Moss Bay  7,755  $1,715  $1,715  $3,431
 Norkirk  4,753  $1,380  $1,380  $2,761
 North Rose Hill  9,138  $1,870  $1,870
  $3,739
 South Rose Hill/Bridle Trails  6,898  $1,620  $1,620  $3,239
 Totem Lake  7,819  $1,722  $1,722  $3,445
 Total Kirkland Population  99,039  $22,100  $22,100  $44,200

 

UPDATE: The 2025-2026 Grant Amounts are determined a summation of a base amount of $2,019 per neighborhood plus an amount per capita (by population).

*Population was calculated using two methodologies. The first method used the census blocks and randomly distributed points within them for the population of each block. Then the points that fell within a neighborhood boundary were counted. The second method counted all the address points in each neighborhood and then multiplied them by the average household size according to the census ACS. The two methods were then combined and divided by 2 to get an average for the final numbers.

How Much We Fund

2025-2026 Grant Amounts

 Neighborhood  Estimated Population*   2025 Grant Amount   2026 Grant Amount   Total 2025-2026 Grant Amount
 Central Houghton   3,992  $1,295  $1,295  $2,591
 Everest  1,887  $1,060  $1,060  $2,121
 Evergreen Hill  11,687  $2,154  $2,154  $4,308
 Finn Hill  15,722  $2,604  $2,604  $5,208
 Highlands  2,627  $1,143  $1,143  $2,286
 Juanita  20,302  $3,115  $3,115  $6,230
 Lakeview  4,088  $1,306  $1,306  $2,612
 Market  2,373  $1,115  $1,115  $2,229
 Moss Bay  7,755  $1,715  $1,715  $3,431
 Norkirk  4,753  $1,380  $1,380  $2,761
 North Rose Hill  9,138  $1,870  $1,870
  $3,739
 South Rose Hill/Bridle Trails  6,898  $1,620  $1,620  $3,239
 Totem Lake  7,819  $1,722  $1,722  $3,445
 Total Kirkland Population  99,039  $22,100  $22,100  $44,200

 

UPDATE: The 2025-2026 Grant Amounts are determined a summation of a base amount of $2,019 per neighborhood plus an amount per capita (by population).

*Population was calculated using two methodologies. The first method used the census blocks and randomly distributed points within them for the population of each block. Then the points that fell within a neighborhood boundary were counted. The second method counted all the address points in each neighborhood and then multiplied them by the average household size according to the census ACS. The two methods were then combined and divided by 2 to get an average for the final numbers.

How to Apply

First, a Neighborhood Association representative must attend one (1) Mandatory Pre-Proposal Workshop. Linked is the presentation.

Second, the following documents will be used to verify eligibility:

  1. Complete Neighborhood Matching Grant Application
  2. Meeting Minutes including the Board Approval of the Project
  3. Neighborhood Association By-Laws
  4. Articles of Incorporation, reflecting non-profit, tax exempt status.

Applicants should be prepared to start their projects immediately upon receiving notification of the award.

After Approval

After the City approves the submitted Neighborhood Matching Grant projects, the Neighborhood Chair will receive a Matching Grant Program Agreement. This agreement outlines the scope of work, funding, and reporting requirements.

The Neighborhood Chair will then receive the following three (3) items:

  1. Official signed copy of the agreement
  2. Reimbursement Form
  3. Final Report Form

Reimbursement

Watch this video on the reimbursement process. Linked are the presentation slides.

Funds are typically dispersed to the Neighborhood Association as a reimbursement within two weeks of 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.

The project(s) must be completed by December 1. Reimbursement deadline are typically in mid-December.

Reimbursement & Volunteer Log Form

Final Report

The Final Report has two (2) purposes:

  • Documents that all elements of the contract between the City and the grant recipient have been fulfilled. This documentation should include proof that City funds were used responsibly and as intended.
  • Highlights the achievements realized through the grant. The City will use the information included in the Final Report to inform the City Council, the media, and interested citizens about the program. The Final Report is also an opportunity for grant recipients to let the City know how the program might be improved.

The projects must be completed with all funds used and distributed by mid-December.

A Final Report and Match Log must be submitted to the City by end of January (typically January 31), including the following:

  • Verification and accounting for each project on the proposed work plan;
  • Verification of your match and volunteer labor;
  • Any promotional materials created during the project;
  • Any photographs illustrating the work achieved under the grant; an
  • Anything else that expresses the activities and success of the project.

Organizations that fail to submit a Final Report will be ineligible for future grants.

Contact Us

Daniel Lazo
Senior Community Engagement Coordinator
425-577-4659
dlazo@kirklandwa.gov

Reimbursements

Reimbursement and volunteer hours must be submitted by Monday, December 15, 2025. Linked is the presentation on the process.

Reimbursement & Volunteer Log Form

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