Who is eligible to apply for Placemaking grants?

Applications can only be submitted by a state or local REALTOR® association.

What are the maximum funding amounts?

There are two levels of funding. Requests may be made up to the noted maximums; however, a lesser amount may be awarded based on the evaluation of the application.

  • Level 1 – $3,000 maximum award
  • Level 2 – $7,500 maximum award

How many grants can my association receive in a calendar year?

An association can receive a maximum of one grant per funding level, each calendar year.

How can the Level 1 grant be used?

Level 1 Placemaking grants support outdoor demonstration and temporary projects to test a project’s viability or inspire permanent projects that help increase community livability and revitalization. Activities may include temporary & pop-up parklets, parks, pedestrian plazas, bike lanes. Review the Ideas for Using a Placemaking Grant or the Spaces to Places Blog for additional inspiration

Successful examples include:

How can the Level 2 grant be used?

Level 2 Placemaking Grants support the creation of new outdoor public gathering spaces and destinations in a community accessible to everyone and open at all, or most, times. Activities may include trails and trailheads, playgrounds, pocket parks, parklets, pedestrian plazas, community gardens, public gardens, dog parks, downtown gathering spots and alley activations. The grant may also fund improvements to existing placemaking locations, such as street benches, lamps and/or wayfinding signs.. Review the Ideas for Using a Placemaking Grant , Spaces to Places Blog and the Placemaking Toolkit for REALTOR® Associations for tips on conducting activities.

The following are eligible uses of grant funds:

  • Building and Landscaping Materials
  • Construction related fees
  • Playground, recreational equipment and benches
  • REALTOR Association Project Plaque

The following are not eligible uses of grant funds:

  • REALTOR® association staff time/hours including contract staff
  • General operating expenses for the REALTOR® association or partner organization
  • Purchase of capital equipment such as cameras, speakers, lights, mics, computers, printers. Rentals are permitted.
  • Donations to an organization or person
  • Registration fees and travel related expenses for REALTORS®
  • Fundraising contributions or money to hold a fundraiser
  • Cash prizes or purchase of gifts and prizes
  • Projects that benefit a single/select group of property owner(s)
  • Projects that have already been completed prior to submission of application
  • Projects with a total budget of $500,000 or more
  • Projects on private property
  • Projects on public school property that are not publicly accessible during the school day. Projects on private school property are never allowed.

We have a project on public land that is co-located with participating private businesses (e.g. alley activations). Can we fund elements with the private businesses?

If you are working with a project on public land, in a publicly available space, the project may include elements that involve private property. For example, an alley activation may include a mural on the side of a private business. As long as the project is primarily on public land in a publicly accessible area, NAR will make an exception to allow an element of the project (e.g. paint on a building) to be on private property IF the property owner has entered into a written agreement with the municipality that the municipality has access to the element and that the element can not be removed without approval from the municipality. Please make sure your grant application indicates that this agreement is in place.

How far in advance should I submit a grant application?

All applications are accepted on a rolling basisand should be submitted at least 30 days before the date of the project. We highly recommend completing Placemaking grant applications early in the grant cycle in order to ensure completion of the project in time for the reimbursement deadline. Placemaking projects frequently have delays related to permitting and regulations or construction and we encourage associations to plan around potential delays. Decisions about Level 1 and 2 applications are made within two weeks of submission. We highly recommend contacting the grant manager in the early phase of deciding on the project and before making commitments to third-parties. The grant manager can provide initial confirmation if your project scope would be on track for approval.

Placemaking projects must be REALTOR®-led with REALTOR® engagement. What does that mean?

We do not accept applications for projects led by individual members or brokerages. All projects must be approved by your association. We encourage projects to engage members directly when possible, for example – hosting a REALTOR® planting day for a community garden. A permanent plaque recognizing the local association is a welcome addition to a project. If the project has a planning committee, this is a good opportunity for a member of your association to be on the Committee. We also encourage REALTOR® leadership on holding a ribbon-cutting and generally promoting the launch of the project. A project does not need to have all of these engagement elements in order to be “REALTOR®-led,” but should involve making sure REALTORS® are project leaders and collaborators and are recognized in the community as leaders on the project. To clarify or discuss whether your project qualifies as REALTOR®-led, contact the Placemaking grant manager.

We are partnering with another REALTOR® association for an activity. Can we both apply for a grant?

Up to four associations can apply for funding for the same project.  However, associations cannot submit reimbursement for the same expense. In addition, please note NAR’s Territorial Jurisdiction Policy.

My project involves building on private property, is indoors, or is a capital improvement project that isn’t placemaking. Can NAR fund my project?

No. NAR’s Placemaking grant is the only grant available to fund building materials. We do not provide funding for private property, Habitat for Humanity builds, anything inside a building, or general community assets that are not gathering places (e.g. bus depots, event expenses)

What criteria are used to evaluate grant applications?

Alignment with Placemaking Program Goals

Does the proposed activity create a new outdoor public space or destination that is accessible to everyone and open at all, or most, times? Does the proposed activity fund placemaking improvements such as street benches, lamps and/or wayfinding signs? Will it strengthen the relationship between REALTORS®, the community and local public officials? Does the activity have the potential to spur revitalization or economic improvement?

Articulation of Issue

Does the applicant thoroughly explain the how the new space or asset improvement will benefit the community?

Level of commitment

Does the proposed activity involve a significant level of commitment in terms of member involvement, financial contribution, and staff time?

Is my association required to make a financial contribution toward our activity in order to qualify for a grant?

As part of NAR’s Right Tools, Right Now, the 10% financial contribution requirement is waived for any association that requests reimbursement in 2025.

If my association is approved for a grant, when will we receive the funding?

Funds are disbursed through a reimbursement process. The association must submit required documentation (outlined below) one time and complete an online evaluation about the grant activity. Please note that if revenue (including partner contributions) exceeds the cost of the initiative then no grant funds are paid.

Funding Process Details

Applications approved between December 4, 2024 and October 15, 2025, must file for reimbursement by December 19th, 2025.

Submit online evaluation form describing initiative impact. Upload pics, videos and press.

Submit reimbursement form, W9, proof of payment (receipts/cancelled checks) one time within 90 days of initiative completion to receive reimbursement.

Note: Reimbursements will cover net expenses, not initiatives with net revenue. The reimbursement form submission requires total revenue and expenses, with reimbursements up to the grant award.

Can I change the scope of initiative after the application is approved?

Grant awards are made based on the initiative scope on the application. Reimbursements will not be issued for initiatives that were not approved. If your initiative scope has changed, please notify PlacemakingGrants@nar.realtor that you are withdrawing the approved grant and submit a new grant application by October 15th if commitment level has not reached capacity.

Questions? Contact Hannah Dannenfelser, hdannenfelser@nar.realtor or PlacemakingGrants@nar.realtor.