Bridge Builders Main Street Microgrants

Bridge Builders Main Street Microgrants

Focus: Placemaking activities for downtown areas and main streets

Purpose: Fund mini placemaking activities that bring together community residents, local artists, and small businesses in downtowns. Help revitalize and celebrate downtown districts.

Geographic Scope: Michigan Municipal League member communities (nearly every city and village, as well as multiple urban townships in Michigan)

Eligibility:

Downtown Development Authorities

Commercial Improvement Districts

Municipal governments

Local businesses

Non-profits

Must be in MML member communities

Requirements:

Applications must include at least one lead artist

Applications must include at least three locally owned small businesses within a four-block radius of each other

Must include a letter of support from a local government official

Award Structure:

Small, one-time microgrants of up to $5,000 per award

Multiple awards available (4 microgrants in 2023 cycle)

What is Funded:

Downtown murals and street art

Storefront decorations

Placemaking projects

Events that bring together artists, businesses, and residents

Examples: street art installations, cultural events, interactive community projects

Background:
Program began as a pilot in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Designed to encourage acts of creativity, selflessness, and connection to help Michigan communities recover. The program has been so successful that it continues to offer funding annually.

Community Wealth Building Definition:
"Strategies that build community and individual assets, creating resilient and adaptable systems to address social and economic needs."

Contact:
Michigan Municipal League Foundation
1675 Green Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Registered 501(c)(3). EIN: 38-3019434