There are application guides in both English and Spanish available on the City’s website. Additional information about the NMF can be found here. Questions can be directed to [email protected].
An image of Calder Plaza taken on May 30, 2024. /Alaynna Dressler
Applications will be accepted in June for Neighborhood Match Fund (NMF) projects taking place between September 2024 and February 2025, the City of Grand Rapids announced in a press release Thursday.
Contracts ranging from $500 to $5,000 will be awarded to residents, resident groups and community-based organizations for projects that “are community focused, inclusive, and promote a deeper sense of belonging among neighbors.” In this round of funding, the City will be offering a new project category in honor of Welcoming Week, a national campaign celebrating the creation of welcoming places that will take place Sept. 13-22, 2024.
Applications for this round of NMF projects will be accepted through Sunday, June 30. According to the timeline available on the City’s website, decision notification will come in mid-July. Funds are expected to become available in September.
For every dollar awarded by the City, contract recipients must match it with volunteer labor (valued at $31.80/hour), in-kind goods and services and/or cash donations. The City has also stipulated that a Grand Rapidian from the impacted community must lead the project.
NMF projects awarded contracts during the last round include Aim to Inspire's A Prom for Me, Ebony Road Players' West Michigan Loving Day Celebration, Grand Rapids African American Art & Music Festival's neighborhood park parties and Friends of Grand Rapids Parks' Arborfest and Neighborwoods. A full list of NMF projects awarded contracts during the last round is available here.
Since 2017, the City has awarded $850,832 to 260 projects.
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