The Neighborhood Initiatives Fund Program assists nonprofit and community-based organizations with neighborhood-scale projects in commercial corridors that improve quality of life and maintain the neighborhood as a desirable place to live.
Donor Name: Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh
State: Pennsylvania
City: Pittsburgh
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/21/2023
Size of the Grant: $30,000.01 to $100,000.00
Details:
The Neighborhood Initiatives Fund Program (NIF or the Program), administered by the URA’s Business Solutions Unit, is designed to provide grants to:
- Help unlock the economic and placemaking potential within City of Pittsburgh neighborhood commercial corridors.
- Support vision-to-action community investment strategies that build a more equitable Pittsburgh; and
- Formalize collaborative partnerships across the City of Pittsburgh (City).
NIF projects include efforts that encourage investment through vacant property reclamation and stewardship, historic preservation, brownfield redevelopment, public infrastructure improvements, and other eligible efforts. Nonprofit organizations with for-profit development partners are also eligible to apply
There are two tiers of NIF grants:
- Tier 1 – $20,000 to $30,000 No matching requirement.
- Tier 2 – $30,000.01 to $100,000.00 Matching requirement: For every two dollars ($2) of Program funds committed to a project, there must be at least one dollar ($1) of match invested into the NIF project. Matching funds must be committed (not pending) and come from non-URA and non-City sources. For example, a loan from the URA’s commercial lending department does not count as matching funds but can be included in the project budget if a loan agreement was signed.
Specialized Grant Categories
These categories are:
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades in business corridors
- this includes but is not limited to, the removal of architectural barriers, sidewalk improvements, public restroom improvements, ramps, railing installation, etc.
- Maximum Grant Amount: $30,000
- Number of Grants Awarded: Up to 2
- Public Art Installation and Improvements
- public art improvements must be in business corridors and may be installed on public property. Installation on public property must follow all necessary policies and procedures of the City of Pittsburgh Art and Civic Design Commission. Temporary installations are not applicable under this grant category.
- Maximum Grant Amount: $30,000
- Number of Grants Awarded: Up to 2
- Nonprofit Building Improvements
- Pittsburgh building stock is aging and the NIF program has received several requests for items such as roof replacements and energy efficiency upgrades. Construction and improvement costs are rising and the URA understands the importance of groups and organizations occupying and owning space in their communities, which can be difficult if a building is not functioning properly. Use of funds must relate to the safety of the building; these funds can be used for items including but not limited to, roof replacement, window upgrades, brick pointing, stair repairs, mold remediation, soffit/fascia repairs, and lighting upgrades. These funds cannot be used for aesthetic improvements such as paint, signage, flooring, utility turn on fees or meter replacements, or any external utility improvements or replacements. Note: the applicant must own the building, with no liens or back taxes (besides a mortgage) in order to qualify for this grant category.
- Maximum Grant Amount: $50,000
- Grants Awarded: 1
- Small Nonprofit Organization Grants
- in order to make the Neighborhood Initiatives grant more accessible to smaller groups the URA will be able to provide up to two (2) $50,000 grants where matching components will not apply. The organization’s gross revenue and assets must be less than or equal to $250,000 in order to qualify. Applicants must demonstrate need and supply their most recent 990.
- Maximum Grant Amount: $50,000
- Grants Awarded: up to 2
Eligible Activities
Non-housing projects in neighborhood commercial districts that benefit the community and catalyze economic development. Hard and soft costs are typically eligible if they fall into the following categories:
- Vacant property reclamation and stewardship;
- Historic preservation;
- Brownfield development;
- Construction of public space and neighborhood infrastructure improvements, including, but not limited to:
- Commercial building improvements;
- Streetscape improvements;
- Transit and transportation-related improvements;
- Parks and open space improvements;
- Green infrastructure; and/or
- Public art
- Filling development gaps in projects
Eligible Grantees
- Nonprofit entities ONLY (including government agencies and those nonprofits with for-profit development partners).
- ALL must register their business with the City of Pittsburgh department of finance and be up to date on all local service and payroll tax filings.
For more information, visit Neighborhood Initiatives Fund.
