Throughout the year, the Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS may accept Placemaking Grant applications from municipalities and non-profits in Cuyahoga County, Portage County, or Summit County. New for the 2026 cycle: ACAR Placemaking Grant Application – 2026 are due November 21, 2025. Selected projects will be announced in the 1st quarter of 2026.
What is a Placemaking Grant?
Placemaking Grants fund 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, develop relationships with public officials, and spur economic growth and development through the creation of new public gathering places.
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.
Funding Level:
The Placemaking Grant has 2 levels available, one for temporary projects and one for permanent sites. The maximum award is up to $7,500.
Is there anything that grant funds cannot be used for?
- REALTOR® association staff time/hours including contract staff
- General operating expenses for the REALTOR® association or partner organization
- Donations to an organization or person including down payment or closing cost assistance
- Registration fees and travel-related expenses for REALTORS® attending events
- Fundraising contributions or money to hold a fundraiser
- Cash prizes or purchase of gifts and prizes
- In-house association classroom rental fee
- Activities that benefit a single/select group of property owner(s)
- Subscription fees for videoconferencing services
What criteria are used to judge 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 community asset improvements such as street benches, lamps, and/or wayfinding signs as well as improvements to existing spaces? 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 – Thoroughly explain 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 REALTOR involvement (think sweat equity)? Or is this only a funding request?
Any questions? Contact ACAR’s Advocacy Representative, Yariel Camacho, at ycamacho@akronclevelandrealtors.com
Submit an ACAR Placemaking Grant Application – 2026. Complete applications for the 2026 cycle are due November 21, 2025. Work must be completed by October 30, 2026, or funding is forfeited.
