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 2025 cycle: Applications are due November 22, 2024. Selected projects will be announced in February 2025.
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.
Level One
Level 1 Placemaking grants fund outdoor demonstrations and temporary projects to test a project’s viability or inspire permanent projects that increase community livability and downtown revitalization. Examples include temporary pop-up parks, pocket parks, and parklets; temporary pop-up pedestrian plazas; and temporary pop-up bike lanes.
Details:
- Maximum award: $3,000.
- Approved activity must take place within one year of grant approval to be eligible for funding reimbursement.
- Please note: we are unable to offer extensions for delayed Placemaking Grants.
Level Two
Level 2 Placemaking grant funds the creation of new outdoor public spaces and destinations in a community accessible to everyone and open at all, or most, times such as trails and trailheads, playgrounds, pocket parks, parklets, pedestrian plazas, community gardens, public gardens, dog parks, downtown gathering spots, and alley activations.
Details:
- Maximum award: $7,500.
- Approved activity must take place within one year of grant approval to be eligible for funding reimbursement.
- Please note: we are unable to offer extensions for delayed Placemaking Grants.
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 Government Affairs Representative, Alex Tomkinson, at 216-901-0130.
Submit a Grant Application. Complete applications for the 2025 cycle are due November 22, 2024. Work must be completed by November 30, 2025, or funding is forfeited.
Author: Jamie McMillen
