Smart Growth Grant Activities Ideas
The following activities help create or improve systems, programs and policies that enables and induces development that follows the 10 Smart Growth Principles. Use these ideas for inspiration and if you have an idea but are not sure if it is eligible for a grant, contact Hugh Morris at 202-383-1278.
Level 1 – Smart Growth Grant Ideas
Smart Growth Class: Host NAR’s Smart Growth for the 21st Century Class or other course focusing on Smart Growth and/or Land Use, Development and Growth.
Expert Speaker: Bring in a speaker who can address specific growth and land use issues impacting your community.
Placemaking Training: Host an event to bring in a speaker to discuss Placemaking or give a training on how to initiate a placemaking project.
Level 2 – Smart Growth Grant Ideas
Land Use/Community Plans: Work with an expert to develop or updated a general, master, comprehensive, land use, park/open space, or bicycle/pedestrian, plan.
Visioning & Planning: Bring in a consultant to conduct a charette, Better Block, Main Street Analysis, Walkable Community Workshop/Audit, Placemaking Visioning Session.
Policies/Ordinances/Legislation: Contribute to the development of new or updates policies, ordinances or legislation impacting land use, development and other Smart Growth tenets.
Studies & Reports: Partner with an expert to conduct a Market Analysis, Land Use Analysis, Feasibility Study, etc.
Conferences & Forums: Support and engage in a conference or event that focuses on growth and development and Smart Growth issues.
Level 3 – Smart Growth Grants
Approved activities must be comprehensive, have a broad community reach, significant REALTOR® involvement, and must include working with at least one non-REALTOR® partner organization that is making a financial contribution to the activity.
Success Stories
- Midland Board of REALTORS® Supports Economic Productivity Analysis with REALTOR® Party Smart Growth Grant
- Five Years Later, Walkability Study Commissioned by Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS® is Still Paying Dividends
- Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association and Aspire North REALTORS® (Traverse City, MI) Promote Strategic Development with Powerful 3D Economic Modelling
- Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS® Hosts Housing Summit and Commissions Study to Recommend Productive Changes to Zoning Codes
- Three North Carolina Communities Jumpstart Revitalization with Mainstreet Downtown Assessments Supported by the REALTOR® Party
- Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® Leverages a Smart Growth Poll to Create a Deeply Informed Regional Growth and Housing Action Plan
- Pacific Southwest Association Contributes to Award-Winning Handbook for City of San Diego
- REALTOR® Party Smart Growth Grant for Better Block Event Leads to Five-Year Span of Investment from the City of South Bend
- Greensboro Regional REALTORS® Contributes Key Element to City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan: Smart Growth Polling