‘Tis the Season of Placemaking Grants

While the frenzy of the holiday season may have passed, there are currently a plethora of placemaking grant opportunities available to local municipalities between January and March 2025. Now is the time to consider applying for one or several placemaking grants.

Placemaking grants are opportunities to improve your local community in tangible ways that will impact the way a place looks, feels, and functions. Placemaking projects can include art installations, main street improvements, downtown infrastructure projects, park and plaza improvements, walkability improvements, and the like. Read below to see which programs fit your community best.

SEMCOG has several resources available to communities interested in expanding placemaking efforts including direct funding and planning tools:

• Location Analysis and Visitation Tool, powered by Placer AI, provides detailed data analysis for location, visitation, and foot traffic.
• Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), a competitive grant program available through SEMCOG, provides funding for projects to enhance pedestrian safety, walkability, and downtown accessibility.
• Planning Assistance Program, a competitive grant program available through SEMCOG, provides direct funding for local planning projects including corridor development, placemaking, trails, and transportation equity.
• Local Technical Assistance, a member service provided by SEMCOG, is one-on-one technical assistance for local challenges, guidance on integrating regional plans, and assistance with finding funding and resources for local projects.
• Community Explorer Map, an online interactive map, has detailed community data useful for research and grant writing.

Time-sensitive grant opportunities

1. Project for Public Spaces’ Community Placemaking Grants

   1. Due date – January 31, 2025
   2. Eligibility – Non-profits, public agencies, and municipalities may apply. This grant is only available in certain states, including Michigan.
   3. Maximum funding available per applicant – $100,000
   4. Summary – Transform key public spaces into lively community hubs that improve street safety and mobility. Project must fit under one of two categories: Streets as Places or Destination Stations.
   5. Website – https://www.pps.org/community-placemaking-grants

2. Revitalization and Placemaking 3.0 (Public Space Place-Based Infrastructure)

   1. Note: This grant has several subprograms, one of which is the Public Space Place-Based Infrastructure program. For information on the other subprograms visit the program website.
   2. Due date – January 30, 2025 (at 9 p.m.)
   3. Eligibility – Municipal entities or economic development organizations working to develop permanent place-based infrastructure associated with traditional downtowns, social-zones, outdoor dining and place-based public spaces may apply.
   4. Maximum funding available per applicant – For public space place-based infrastructure projects, the minimum award is $500,000 and the maximum funding amount is $1 million.
   5. Summary – Public space place-based infrastructure projects must be in central city neighborhoods, traditional downtowns, central business districts, or adjacent walkable neighborhoods.
   6. Website – https://www.michiganbusiness.org/rap/

3. T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program – Revitalizing Small Towns

   1. Due Date – March 31, 2025
   2. Eligibility – Elected officials, town managers/employees, tribal leaders, or nonprofit community leaders from small towns with population less than 50,000 may apply.
   3. Maximum funding available per applicant – $50,000
   4. Summary – Apply for funding to support a community project of your choice such as revitalizing or repurposing a historic structure, creating a downtown asset or destination, or improving a space where friends and neighbors gather. Projects that add to a sense of place or that could lead to further investment are of particular interest.
   5. Website: https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/hometown-grants

4. Asphalt Art Initiative Grant

   1. Due date – January 31, 2025
   2. Eligibility – Cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States with populations of 50,000 or more may apply.
   3. Maximum funding available per applicant – $100,000
   4. Summary – The Asphalt Art Initiative grant program is designed for fund visual art on roadways, pedestrian spaces, and public infrastructure in cities with the primary goals of improving street and pedestrian safety, revitalizing and activation underutilized public space, and promoting collaboration in local communities.
   5. Website – https://asphaltart.bloomberg.org/grants/

5. AARP Community Challenge Grant

   1. Due date – March 5, 2025 (at 5 p.m.)
   2. Eligibility – Government entities and 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) nonprofits may apply.
   3. Maximum Funding Available per Applicant – $25,000
   4. Summary – Community Challenge grants make communities livable for people of all ages, with an emphasis on those age 50 and older. These are quick-action projects that improve livability and inspire change. Several categories are available including “creating vibrant public places” and “delivering a range of transportation and mobility options.”
   5. Website – https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/community-challenge/