Harriett Fuller Rust Grant Program

The Harriett Fuller Rust Grant Program, administered by the City of Bloomington, Illinois through its Economic & Community Development Department, is designed to support the continued revitalization of the city's downtown business district. The program forms part of the city’s broader efforts under the Downtown Bloomington Vision and Strategic Plan, aiming to stimulate private investment, improve the structural and aesthetic integrity of buildings, and sustain the district's revitalization momentum. The grant serves both economic and preservation goals, offering financial incentives for eligible property and business owners to enhance their building facades and address key structural concerns. The grant is named in honor of Harriett Fuller Rust, a longstanding civic leader in the Bloomington community, recognized for her impactful service to organizations such as the United Way of McLean County, Victory Hall Home for Boys, and the McLean County Historical Society. Notably, she was instrumental in restoring the museum after a 1972 fire and securing a long-term lease for its continued operation. Her legacy of service and preservation informs the program’s ethos of community enhancement through historic integrity. Grants are available to property and business owners whose buildings are located within the designated Downtown Target Area. Projects must comply with the City of Bloomington Architectural Review Guidelines. Qualifying improvements include brickwork, painting, signs, exterior lighting, window and door replacement, architectural restoration, and ADA-compliant accessibility improvements to exterior structures. The grant covers up to 50% of the total cost of qualified improvements, with a standard cap of $25,000 per project. For buildings deemed in extreme disrepair by the Historic Preservation Commission, the cap may be increased to $50,000. Additionally, up to $20,000 in supplemental funds may be awarded for architectural or structural assessments deemed necessary. Eligibility requirements include ownership or written owner consent for tenants, location within the target area, and the use of prevailing wages for labor. The program does not cover previously started work, general maintenance, interior remodeling (except display areas), or non-permanent additions. All applications must include a detailed project scope, historic images if applicable, and a minimum of two contractor estimates (three if the applicant is affiliated with a bidding contractor). Applicants must comply with all federal, state, and local regulations, including the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act. Projects must be completed within one year of the grant award, and reimbursement is contingent on submission of financial documentation and final inspection. The Fiscal Year 2027 grant cycle accepts applications between March 1 and March 31, 2026. After the deadline, applicants may be asked for clarifications or revisions. Final decisions are made by the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission based on architectural or historic significance, compliance with federal preservation standards, and overall impact on the downtown streetscape. Applicants may receive one grant per building per year, with a maximum of two grants annually for separate buildings. Properties are only eligible for this grant program once every 15 years unless distinct phased projects are proposed. Payments are issued upon project completion and approval of final documentation. For additional information, applicants can contact the Economic & Community Development Department at [email protected] or (309) 434-2226. A full copy of the grant guidelines is available in the official PDF: https://www.bloomingtonil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/28036.

Submit early for review; ensure architectural compliance to avoid delays.