Neighborhood Matching Grants were established as part of the Tumwater City Council’s strategic priority to “Build a community recognized for quality” in 2014. The City will match the neighborhood group’s volunteer hours, in-kind donations or cash resources up to $1,000 or 50% of the total project cost through the Neighborhood Project Grant and up to $250 or 50% of the total event cost through the Neighborhood Event Grant. 

To be considered for funding, a project must be non-profit in nature, take place within the City of Tumwater, and must have a lasting or direct benefit to the neighborhood. 

Some examples of eligible projects are;

• Community gardens
• Welcome signs or murals
• Stormwater pond projects (see storm water pond project document)
• Neighborhood beautification projects

Some examples of eligible events are;

• Neighborhood block parties or picnics
• “National Night Out” events
• Movie nights

Any neighborhood or community group (formal or informal) with the majority or its members living and/or working in the City of Tumwater, who promotes community engagement in their neighborhood, is eligible to apply.  Individual applicants, religious organizations, or political groups are not eligible to receive awards. Groups are eligible to receive a Neighborhood Event Grant every calendar year. Neighborhood Project Grant funding preference will be given to new projects and neighborhood groups. 

Neighborhood Project and Event Grant applications are available on the Neighborhood Matching Grants page.

Completed applications can be emailed to the Volunteer Coordinator or mailed to:

City of Tumwater
ATTN: Volunteer Coordinator
555 Israel Road SW
Tumwater, WA 98501

Neighborhood Matching Grant applications are accepted year-round. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator or call (360) 754-4167 for more information.

The neighborhood match is the volunteer group’s contribution to the Project or Event.  Volunteer hours, in-kind donations, and cash resources are all eligible to be considered as part of the match.  However, Neighborhood Project Grant requirements include a volunteer component that builds community in the neighborhood match. 

All grant applications are evaluated using the same criteria;

• Project Readiness
• Community Engagement
• Community Benefit

Neighborhood Matching Grants are reviewed and approved by the Recreation Manager and Volunteer Coordinator. 

Some or all of the grant funding can be used for contracted work, provided that that the neighborhood match includes an equivalent number of volunteer hours during a work party focused on the project. 

Payment of City funds is made on a reimbursement basis, after the project or event is complete. Following completion of the project or event, groups provide receipts to document expenses, a W-9 form, and evaluation to the City's Volunteer Coordinator. Payment is made within 30 days of the project or event closeout.

In some cases, pre-approval for direct billing to the City of Tumwater may be given to the grant recipient.  Approval for direct billing must be submitted in writing by the grant recipient and may be approved or denied by the the City. 

Once your Neighborhood Project or Event Grant has been approved, a short orientation is required.  Other grant requirements include a group agreement with the City of Tumwater, volunteer log, project or event expense log with approved receipts, a W-9 to process payment of funds, and a final project or event evaluation.  

A fiscal sponsor is a non-profit organization or business that works with Neighborhood Matching Grant recipients. Fiscal Sponsorship is required for grant recipients who do not have a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN#) and receive a Neighborhood Matching Grant award of $600 or more. The fiscal sponsor acts as the trustee of funds provided through the Neighborhood Matching Fund and assumes the financial responsibilities related to successful project completion.