Community Placemaking Grants: Civic Spaces

Funder: Project for Public Spaces in partnership with CultureHouse and with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Award Amount: $60,000 per recipient for temporary physical improvements and operation of an indoor pop-up space

Number of Grants: Two nonprofits or public agencies collaborating with nonprofits

Program Duration: 18 months

Background & Purpose

Many BIPOC, rural, and low-income communities across the United States lack access to dedicated civic spaces where community residents can organize, engage in public dialogue, and work to address local issues. This gap in civic infrastructure hampers efforts to foster community leadership, build social cohesion, address systemic inequalities, and ensure government accountability. This initiative creates indoor pop-up spaces that promote civic and social life.

Geographic Scope

• Northeastern United States only
• Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and/or Vermont

Focus Areas

• Creation of indoor pop-up community spaces
• Promotion of civic engagement
• Serving BIPOC and/or low-income communities
• Community organizing and dialogue spaces

Eligibility Requirements

• Recipient organization must be a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit or local government agency
• Site must be located in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, or Vermont
• Community served by space and organization must be primarily (50%+) BIPOC and/or low-income
• Grantee organization should reflect the community it serves in its staff and leadership
• Grantee must have a space (or partnerships to secure one) that is:
  • Indoor
  • Free and open to the public
  • Space must have permission to occupy and alter
• Grantee must be committed to hosting local groups and organizations representing a variety of perspectives and causes

What Grantees Receive

• $60,000 to support temporary physical improvements and operation of an indoor pop-up space
• Research, community engagement, design, and implementation support from PPS and CultureHouse teams
• Leadership development opportunities to meet and learn from fellow grantees
• Participation in PPS trainings and conferences

Grant Activities

• Implementation of a three-month indoor pop-up community space
• Learning how to initiate and manage these spaces long-term
• Promotion of civic engagement

Application Process

1. Review the full Application Booklet in advance
2. Review program scope, application questions, timeline, and evaluation criteria
3. Prepare and submit application
4. Selected applicants invited to second round interview

Application Materials Required

• Completed application
• If applicant is not the owner of the project site: letters of recommendation from the site's owner

Timeline

• Application deadline: Friday, February 21, 2025 at 11:59pm EDT (CLOSED)
• Select applicants invited to second round interview
• Grant recipients announced: mid-April 2025
• Grant activities conclude: September 2026

Support Available

• Informational webinar recording available to learn about selection process and grantee experience
• Full application instructions/booklet available
• FAQs available

Contact for Questions

Email: grants@pps.org