Have An Idea To Transform Detroit Neighborhoods? Kresge Foundation Giving $2 Million In Grants
DETROIT (WWJ) - Have an idea on how to make a neighborhood better?
The Kresge Foundation is seeking 15-20 community-based nonprofit groups across Detroit to share $2 million for projects to transform neighborhoods.
The funds are for the third round of Kresge Innovative Projects: Detroit, a $5 million pilot initiative launched in 2014. Unlike earlier rounds, this one slates $2 million entirely for implementation grants, with at least one expected to land in each of Detroit's seven City Council districts; the first two rounds were divided between implementation and planning grants.
"From neighborhood cleanups to innovative building renovations and land reutilization projects to creative public space enhancements, we're seeing community-driven visions of progress realized across the city," George C. Jacobsen, senior program officer of The Kresge Foundation's Detroit Program, said in a statement.
As in earlier rounds, grant-supported projects are to be completed within 18 months of the award.
Applications will be judged competitively basis on factors including alignment with the Detroit Future City Framework Plan -- the long-range guide to land use and development shaped by a multiyear research and community engagement process funded by Kresge. Applicants are asked to pay particular attention to portions of the Detroit Future City framework describing the transformation of vacant land, the use of public and open spaces and the stabilization of neighborhoods.
To be competitive, a project must also demonstrate:
• A transformative impact on its Detroit neighborhood
• Broad engagement of the neighborhood and advance neighborhood priorities using inclusive, collaborative processes for design, development and implementation
• Benefits extended to a broad set of stakeholders and community residents, particularly low-income individuals and people of color
The Kresge Detroit Program plans two open sessions for interested individuals to find out more about the competition: Oct. 25 (from 6-7:30 p.m. at Jam Handy, 2900 E Grand Blvd, Detroit) and Nov. 7 (1-3 p.m. at TechTown, 440 Burroughs St., Detroit).
Applications will be accepted through November 21. Click here to apply. Grant recipients will be announced in early March 2017.
The first two rounds of Kresge Innovative Projects: Detroit distributed $3 million in grants – 19 planning and 20 implementation grants in response to nearly 200 applications.
Initiative projects completed so far include the installation of exercise pocket parks in central Detroit, park development and sculpture installation in North Corktown-Briggs, the renovation of a vacant building to allow the Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program to mentor more young people, the creation of an environmentally responsible parking lot that doubles as a community gathering space in Grandmont Rosedale, and a neighborhood clean-up and stabilization effort in the Osborn neighborhood that mobilized thousands of volunteers.
