Placemaking Grant & ResourcesA

Community Outreach Grant Application Period Closed for 2023 The Community Outreach Grants have surpassed expectations in popularity.  The response and demand for Fair Housing, Housing Opportunity, Smart Growth, Placemaking, and Rural Outreach grants have been overwhelming, leading us to reach maximum capacity before the application period’s scheduled end on October 15th, 2023. As a result, the application window is now closed and will reopen on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024.  We would like to express our gratitude to all the REALTOR® associations who have shown immense interest in these grants. We understand the significance of these grants to your organizations and the positive impact they can have on your community development and fair housing related efforts. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and sign up for a Community Outreach Planning Session. These sessions will provide a platform to discuss innovative ways to leverage a grant in 2024, allowing you to maximize the benefits for your association. Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to Christine Windle at cwindle@nar.realtor or call 202-383-1135. We are here to assist you and provide any necessary support throughout this process.

Placemaking Grants fund state and local REALTOR® association projects that create new, outdoor public spaces and destinations in a community on unused or underused sites. The goal of the program is to enable REALTORS® to strengthen ties with their community, to develop relationships with public officials, and to spur economic growth and development through the creation of new public gathering places.

New in 2023! Placemaking Grants now allow funding of community asset improvements such as street benches, lamps and/or wayfinding signs as well as improvements to existing spaces.

Please direct questions to  PlacemakingGrants@nar.realtor or Hugh Morris, hmorris@nar.realtor

Please note that only state and local REALTOR associations are eligible for Placemaking Grants.

Frequently Asked Questions
Ideas for Using a Placemaking Grant

Level One

Level 1 Placemaking grants fund outdoor demonstration and temporary projects to test a project’s viability or inspire permanent projects that increase community livability and downtown revitalization.

Details:

  • Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from January 3rd through October 16, 2023; decisions announced within approximately one week.
  • Maximum award: $3,000.
  • Associations may receive one Level 1 grant per calendar year.
  • Approved activity must take place within one year of grant approval to be eligible for funding reimbursement.
  • Grant recipients must complete an evaluation form for the supported activity.
  • Please note: we are unable to offer extensions for delayed Placemaking Grants. If a delay will cause your association to miss the year deadline, please withdraw the grant until you know it is ready to move forward. You are then welcome to resubmit and receive your previous grant award. There is no penalty for withdrawing a grant and resubmitting.
  • Grant recipients must complete an evaluation form for the supported activity.
  • Note – 10% Grant Commitment Waived in 2023.  As part of NAR’s Right Tools, Right Now, the 10% financial contribution requirement is waived.

Level 1 Placemaking Grant Application
Placemaking Grant Reimbursement Request Form
Placemaking Grant Evaluation Form

Level Two

Level 2 Placemaking grant funds the creation of new outdoor public spaces and destinations in a community accessible to everyone and open at all, or most, times such as trails and trailheads, playgrounds, pocket parks, parklets, pedestrian plazas, community gardens, public gardens, dog parks, downtown gathering spots and alley activations. Review the Ideas for Using a Placemaking Grant for additional inspiration.

New in 2023! Placemaking Grants now allow funding of community asset improvements such as street benches, lamps and/or wayfinding signs as well as improvements to existing spaces.

Details:

  • Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from January 3rd through October 16, 2023; decisions announced within approximately one week.
  • Maximum award: $7,500.
  • Associations may receive one Level 2 grant per calendar year.
  • Approved activity must take place within one year of grant approval to be eligible for funding reimbursement.
  • Grant recipients must complete an evaluation form for the supported activity.
  • Please note: we are unable to offer extensions for delayed Placemaking Grants. If a delay will cause your association to miss the year deadline, please withdraw the grant until you know it is ready to move forward. You are then welcome to resubmit and receive your previous grant award. There is no penalty for withdrawing a grant and resubmitting.
  • Grant recipients must complete an evaluation form for the supported activity.
  • Note – 10% Grant Commitment Waived in 2023.  As part of NAR’s Right Tools, Right Now, the 10% financial contribution requirement is waived

Level 2 Placemaking Grant Application
Placemaking Grant Reimbursement Request Form
Placemaking Grant Evaluation Form

Placemaking Resources

NAR’s Placemaking program provides technical and financial assistance to help REALTOR® Associations and their members become engaged in placemaking in their communities. Available resources include the:

  • Placemaking Guide for REALTOR® Associations
    Learn the details of Placemaking; the kinds of projects Placemaking entails and how to organize them; and where to go for assistance and resources.
  • Spaces to Places Blog
    Read success stories from REALTOR® Associations across the country who have used Placemaking Grants to make a difference in their communities. A great source for Placemaking project ideas.
  • Better Block Guide for Associations
    Read an overview of what a Better Block is and how you and your partners can plan and organize a Better Block. Ideas generated at a Better Block may lead to permanent Placemaking projects.
  • Smart Growth Grant
    Funds the planning and community input activities related to Placemaking and land-use policies, such as Better Block events, Placemaking visioning and Main Street® analyses. A Smart Growth Grant can also be used to fund a Placemaking training event.

Questions? Contact Hugh Morris, hmorris@nar.realtor