Placemaking Grants
What is Placemaking?
Placemaking is a people-centered approach to the planning, design, and management of public spaces. A space becomes a place when there is a reason to go there.
A more global outlook defines placemaking as an opportunity for a community to come together as a team, to create revitalized spaces, enhance gathering spots, increase socialization and well-being within a neighborhood, rehabilitate downtowns, and boost the social and economic outlook of a community. The concept allows the public (including elected officials) to see what can be, and the positive effects that follow.
Take a look at our most recent Placemaking project in the following video.
Ultimately, placemaking can encourage growth, decrease crime, entice renewed and additional commercial offerings, and increase property values.
REALTORS® have changed empty alleys into bright, inviting places, renovated run-down playgrounds, created community gardens, developed walking/biking paths, hosted Open House tours for declining downtowns, built a Better Block for a weekend, and constructed engaging plazas on formerly vacant lots. The possibilities are numerous!
Hear from your fellow Mainstreet REALTORS® about their Placemaking Grant projects
Check out Mainstreet's Placemaking Grant Project video series for some project inspiration!
REALTORS® and Placemaking
Like peanut butter and jelly, REALTORS® and placemaking are a perfect combination. Realtors are the experts when it comes to what buyers are looking for in a strong community. They are in the field and are aware of initiatives that make a neighborhood and community a great place to live, work, and play. Additionally, a Mainsteet REALTOR® has the backing and strength of one of the largest associations in the country. Through the NAR-Mainsteet Community Outreach Grant program, Mainstreet is able to provide financial support for your creative vision for a space to come true. The staff at Mainstreet will help guide members with assistance in getting the ball rolling, working with municipalities, finding partners, answering questions, and keeping the project moving along to completion.
REALTOR® led projects and initiatives have had a profound effect not only on the communities where they have made a difference, but on the profession’s image as a whole. Associations have reported that placemaking efforts have completely changed the way the public perceives REALTORS® in their communities.
REALTORS® have participated in small projects like adding benches to a park, to partnering on large, complex developments like waterfront parks or plazas that provide food, entertainment, and a place to meet and socialize. REALTORS® have donated and created places that become destinations for people in the neighborhood as well as those that attract people from outside the area. Any way you slice it, REALTORS® and placemaking are elevating the lives and experiences of the many, while advancing the perception of the real estate profession.
Placemaking Grant Examples
Find inspiration for your project from our past project examples.
See Completed ProjectsPlacemaking Grant Application
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Placemaking Criteria
- Benefits everyone in the community
- Accessible to the entire community all or most of the day
- At least 10 things to do; even if it’s people watching, sitting, talking with a friend, etc.
- Community involvement is encouraged
- Incorporate REALTOR® involvement
- Provide project updates including photos
- REALTOR® recognition
- Reimbursement grant – invoices and receipts to be submitted for reimbursement. Initial funding must be in place no later than Dec. 15th, 2022
- Funds must be spent before the end of the year the grant was awarded
- Projects must take place within the Mainstreet jurisdiction. Use this mapping tool to see if the location qualifies.
- Public, private, and non-profit partners are encouraged
Alex Pena
Advocacy & Community Manager