The City of Seattle is looking for up to 15 neighborhood and community projects that will receive up to $1,000 in matching funds and will also participate in workshops with experts in using social media. Apply Now! The deadline is Friday, May 18 at midnight. Our goal is to boost their capacity through a project that takes them 3 months or less to complete. This program is administered by Community Technology Program of the City of Seattle Department of Information Technology. 
Background
The Online Boost Project was developed in response to what we learned from neighborhood organizations putting up web sites and using social media for their organizations. We conducted an inventory (Seattle Communities Online assessment) and held discussions at Neighborhood District Council and community group meetings. We looked at the current capacity of neighborhood groups to do effective outreach online, maintain their content, foster online engagement and use city widgets and tools.
We are looking for up to 15 projects who will receive up to $1000 in matching funds and will also participate in workshops with experts in using social media. Our goal is to boost their capacity through a project that takes them 3 months or less to complete. This program is administered by Community Technology Program of the City of Seattle Department of Information Technology (DoIT).
Program Goals
The Online Boost Project is designed to help community and neighborhood groups implement a short term project that will increase their ability to post and manage online content, and foster more diverse participation. In coordination with the Seattle Communities Online initiative, we are seeking opportunities to enhance:
- Increased awareness of community issues;
- Increased community participation in problem solving; and
- Increased interaction with government.
Online Boost grantees will have access to:
- Up to $1000 mini-grants for a quick, specific project to be completed within 3 months.
- Workshop (required in order to receive funding) where participants would leave the workshop knowing what resources are out there, what their plan of action will be, and how to go about implementing.
- Mentorship and networking opportunities
The deadline is Friday, May 18 at midnight. The application is submitted online and all interested groups must register ahead of time in order to access the application. You can register at: http://webgrants.seattle.gov. If you have already registered for another grant with the City, you can log in with your user ID and password and select “Funding Opportunities” and then “Online Boost Grant.”
For help and resources visit the Online Boost Project at http://www.seattle.gov/seattlecommunitiesonline/boost.htm.
For in-person help please contact:
Vicky Yuki, vicky.yuki@seattle.gov, by phone at 206-233-7877.