The Community Placemaking Grants program

The Community Placemaking Grants program, administered by Project for Public Spaces in partnership with General Motors, supports U.S.-based nonprofit organizations and local government agencies in improving public spaces through community-led placemaking. This initiative focuses on addressing inequality in access to well-designed and inclusive public spaces. It funds projects that enhance outdoor spaces—such as streets, transit hubs, and plazas—through both physical and programmatic improvements co-created with the community. In its Fall 2025 cycle, the program offers three awards of $100,000 each, alongside technical assistance and leadership development. Applicants must choose between two project tracks: Streets as Places, which enhances the safety and community utility of streets; and Destination Stations, which transforms mobility hubs like transit stations into vibrant community spaces. The grant covers items such as seating, murals, lighting, wayfinding, safety improvements, and programming like community events. However, it cannot fund road resurfacing or fully pre-designed projects. The grant requires that project sites be free and open to the public, located in one of ten eligible states—Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, or Texas—and be destinations serving a broad community. Applicants must demonstrate site access rights and capacity to complete improvements by October 31, 2026. Projects are expected to maintain physical improvements for at least three years. While matching funds are not required, they may be leveraged. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on October 13, 2025. Select applicants will be invited for an interview by November 3, with grantees announced on December 15. The application includes questions about the site, community impact, organizational capacity, and transportation partnerships. Required attachments include site photos, maps, proof of site access, and IRS documentation for nonprofits. All submissions must be completed online. For questions, applicants can contact grants@pps.org.

Highlight how your project improves equity and access. Focus on placemaking, not full implementation. Site control is critical. Attach all required visuals and documentation.