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.

Please direct questions to  PlacemakingGrants@nar.realtor.

• Types of projects the grant funds
• Types of projects the grant does not fund
• Examples of REALTOR^® Associations’ Placemaking Grant Projects
• Placemaking Grant Application Examples
  • St Louis REALTORS®
  • Coeur D’Alene Association of REALTORS®

Project Budget: The Grant focuses on “lighter, cheaper, quicker” placemaking projects, which can be built under a year and cost less than $200,000.

Level 1 Grants

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

Level 1 Placemaking grants funds demonstration and temporary projects to provide an opportunity to test the viability of permanent projects that increase community livability and downtown revitalization. Review the Ideas for Using a Placemaking Grant for additional inspiration. Please note that this grant does not cover cleanup or beautification projects.

Types of Projects Funded: Temporary & pop-up parklets, parks, pedestrian plazas, bike lanes. See: Pop-ups before Permanent Spaces

Details:

• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from January 1 through October 15, 2022; decisions announced within approximately one week.
• Maximum award: $1,500
• Associations may receive one Level 1 grant per calendar year.
• Required Attachments: Before photo of site (no aerial photos), project design concept plan, project budget and after photo of completed project: Project Design Plan Example 1;  Project Design Plan Example 2; Budget Example 1;  Budget Example 2
• Funds are disbursed using a reimbursement process.
  • Submit proof of how funds were spent. Acceptable forms of proof include an invoice, signed contract, receipts and cancelled checks.
  • Submit the ACH form with your reimbursement request.
• 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.
• Note – 10% Grant Commitment Waived in 2022.  As part of NAR’s Right Tools, Right Now, the 10% financial contribution requirement is waived.

Level 2 Grants

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

Level 2 Placemaking  funds the creation of new public spaces and destinations in a community accessible to everyone and open at all, or most, times. Review the Ideas for Using a Placemaking Grant for additional inspiration. The grants do not fund adding amenities to existing public spaces or enhancing them.

Details:

• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from January 1 through October 15, 2022; decisions announced within approximately one week.
• Maximum award: $5,000
• Associations may receive one Level 2 grant per calendar year.
• Required Attachments: Before photo of site (no aerial photos), project design concept plan, project budget and after photo of completed project: Project Design Plan Example 1;  Project Design Plan Example 2; Budget Example 1;  Budget Example 2
• Funds are disbursed using a reimbursement process.
  • Submit proof of how funds were spent. Acceptable forms of proof include an invoice, signed contract, receipts and cancelled checks.
  • Submit the ACH form with your reimbursement request.
• 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.
• Note – 10% Grant Commitment Waived in 2022.  As part of NAR’s Right Tools, Right Now, the 10% financial contribution requirement is waived.

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 PlacesBlog
  See and learn about Placemaking projects in action across the country. Post includes ones written by REALTOR® Association staff who have received a placemaking grant.
• Placemaking Webinars
  Get more in-depth information on the various types of Placemaking and how REALTORS® are involved in Placemaking activities in their communities.
  • Placemaking:  Now More than Ever – Air Date: April 28, 2021
    COVID has demonstrated that Placemaking, which creates outdoor public spaces and destinations for a community to gather, is needed now more than ever.  There has never been a better time for your Association to apply for an NAR Placemaking Grant.   Hear several of your peers describe their placemaking projects, which may give you an idea for a project, during this online discussion.
    Listen to the Recording
• 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 Catherine Mesick, PlacemakingGrants@nar.realtor.