Mini Neighborhood Library Application & Agreement 

Neighborhood Matching Grant Application 

ATTN: Volunteer Coordinator, Tumwater City Hall, 555 Israel Rd SW, Tumwater, WA 98501

Neighborhood Matching Grant Final Report Forms 

Page 1: Expense Report Form (please attach receipts) 

Page 2: Volunteer Report Form 

Page 3 - 4: Final Evaluation Report 

ATTN: Volunteer Coordinator, Tumwater City Hall, 555 Israel Rd SW, Tumwater, WA 98501

Community Matching Fund Policy  

Neighborhood Matching Grant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

About Neighborhood Event Grants

Grants up to $250 are made available to groups that organize to host an event to benefit their neighborhood.  Groups must match the grant funding with a minimum of 50 percent of total event costs with volunteer hours, in-kind donations, and cash resources.  Original receipts are required and must equal or exceed the grant match requested.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Any neighborhood or community group (formal or informal) with the majority of its members living and/or working in the City of Tumwater is eligible to apply. Organizations, business groups, and neighborhood-based groups are some examples of eligible applicants. Individual applicants, religious organizations, or political groups are not eligible to receive awards. Groups are eligible to receive a Neighborhood Event Grant every other year.

What Events are Eligible for Funds?

Examples of Events

• Neighborhood block parties or picnics
• National Night Out activities
• Neighborhood Watch Meetings
• Neighborhood clean-ups or crime prevention events
• Movie nights

How Do I Apply?

Complete an application and submit by email to the Volunteer Coordinator or print and mail/deliver to:

Attention: Volunteer Coordinator, Tumwater City Hall, 555 Israel Rd SW, Tumwater, WA 98501

Neighborhood Project Grants

Grants up to $1,000 are made available on a competitive basis to groups that organize to complete a volunteer project that benefits the neighborhood or overall community. Grant funding must be matched by the group with a minimum of 50 percent of total project costs with volunteer hours, in-kind donations, and cash resources. To be eligible for funding, these volunteer projects must be organized to help build connections between neighbors. Original receipts are required and must equal or exceed the requested grant match.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Any neighborhood or community group (formal or informal) with the majority of its members living and/or working in the City of Tumwater is eligible to apply.  Individual applicants, religious organizations, or political groups are not eligible to receive grant awards. Funding preference will be given to new projects and neighborhood groups. 

What Projects are Eligible for Funds?

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

In order to be eligible to apply for the project grant, your group must meet the following conditions:

The proposed project must:

• Make a tangible improvement to a Tumwater neighborhood through resources and labor provided by members of the neighborhood.
• Have documented support of the neighborhood and/or HOA and have a measurable outcome that provides public benefit to the community. Priority funding consideration is afforded to new projects or neighborhoods that have not previously received grants.
• Include a fully completed application with all supporting documentation showing support for the project, costs, outcomes, and how neighbors are included and utilized as volunteers.

Groups with approved applications have 12 months from the award of the grant to complete the project and apply for reimbursement, or the application will be considered expired, and no longer eligible for reimbursement.

The following projects are not eligible for the grant program:

• Projects that conflict with any laws, regulations, rules or City of Tumwater policies.
• Projects that are for routine maintenance purposes or any maintenance of previously funded projects.
• Projects outside of Tumwater City limits.
• Funding requests for current projects (current projects are those that are already in progress or for prior purchases).
• Project grant requests that are for maintenance of, or which have the same purpose, or contain similar outcomes to projects that have been previously funded through the Neighborhood Grant Program.
• Applications from individuals, for profit groups, religious, or political groups.
• Projects that seek to promote any public or private group, business or commercial enterprise, political or religious group.
  Projects that utilize any form of hate speech or exclude any group or subgroup of people.

Examples of Projects

• Community gardens
• Welcome signs or murals
• Neighborhood park play equipment
• Neighborhood beautification projects

How Do I Apply?

Complete an application and submit by email to the Volunteer Coordinator or print and mail/deliver to:

Attention: Volunteer Coordinator, Tumwater City Hall, 555 Israel Rd SW, Tumwater, WA 98501

It’s easy – apply, approve, build, or install.

Adopt a pre-assembled kit or create your own library for your neighborhood! Apply today for a kit or a project grant to build one. Kits and grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to available materials and funds. 

The Mini Library makes it easy to bring neighbors together to get to know each other and have fun! The Mini Neighborhood Library Kit can be used in conjunction with a Neighborhood Event Grant.

Groups must agree to the following to participate:

• Obtain permit approval from the City for library placement. Mini Neighborhood Library must comply with all permitting requirements and be accessible in locations that benefit the surrounding neighborhood, with easy access and visibility.
• Finish and install the library.
• Call utility locator before digging.
• Maintain the library by cleaning and stocking an appropriate supply of books (partnerships are encouraged).
• Place location on the City of Tumwater Mini Neighborhood Library map.
• Optional: register the library location to be part of an international network of free community libraries and obtain an official registration plaque.

How do I apply?

Please fill out the Application & Agreement  form and email it to the Volunteer Coordinator or print and mail/deliver to:

ATTN: Volunteer Coordinator, Tumwater City Hall, 555 Israel Rd SW, Tumwater, WA 98501

Applicants will be required to make one visit to Tumwater City Hall, 555 Israel Rd SW, in Tumwater, during regular business hours, Monday-Friday to obtain the installation permit. Our staff will help you schedule your visit.