Have a KC neighborhood improvement project in mind? Here’s how to apply for funding
Do you have an idea for a project that could improve your neighborhood or make it a safer or more enjoyable place to live? Maybe you want to fix up the park down the block, plant a tree on your street, or fix up some of the houses nearby? Kansas City has a new opportunity to bring some of these ideas to life.
The city opened up applications for its ReBuild KC-Neighborhood Grants program, the first of its kind in the city, opening the door for anyone to apply for funding for neighborhood improvements with funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
The exact amount available won’t be known until after the city’s budget is adopted. On Thursday, that budget will be presented to the city council, and it will be adopted in March. Still, you’ll want to apply as soon as possible so city departments can review it.
We spoke to Maggie Green, spokesperson for the city, to break down what ReBuild KC is and how you can get involved.
SO WHAT IS REBUILD KC?
It’s a brand new grant program that gives opportunities to residents to apply for city funds to make their neighborhood better.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Anyone can apply — individuals, neighborhood and home groups, nonprofits and companies — as long as the project has a community or public benefit. Make sure your project has a purpose before hitting the submit button.
WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS CAN I APPLY FOR?
You can apply for any size project, no matter how big or small. Below are some examples of what Green’s seen and heard so far.
A park bench
Planting a tree
Improving or adding sidewalks
Building a community garden
Creating a pocket park
Building or improving a playground
Home repairs for an entire neighborhood
Building new affordable housing units
Neighborhood Services director Forest Decker also said that money is available for programs like job creation, violence prevention and energy sustainability.
If you can dream it, you can build it.
WHAT DO I NEED TO APPLY?
It’s kind of a lot of information. Visit the grant program’s website here to apply and it’ll walk you through everything you need to have. On the application, you’ll need to provide
Your name, phone, email and the type of applicant you are
Your project’s name and goal, what type of project it is and does the project address a need at a single-family home
The total grant request and the total project budget
The city council district the project will be delivered in and the neighborhood most impacted by the project
You’ll have to state if the project is new or existing, along with the projected start and end dates of the project
Who you’re working on the project and a box to describe your project and how it’ll benefit the community
Three letters of support
Cost estimates or budget documents that have been prepared
HOW MUCH MONEY WILL I GET?
In a recent meeting, Decker said he reviewed applications asking for $800 and others asking for $2 million, so there is no cap on how much funding a project can request, but the bounds for how much you can be awarded haven’t been set yet. It’ll depend on many factors, such as the size of the project and how long it will take to finish.
The city won’t have an exact number for how much money is available until March 24, when the budget is adopted.
WHO CAN HELP YOU APPLY?
Green said the city is taking questions as they come in and that they’ve been sending out answers via social media. They’ve also attended any community meetings that have requested a presentation on the topic to discuss the grant program and how to apply.
You can call the city’s Neighborhood Support Services at 816-513-3036. If you fill out a partial application, the city will get in touch with you to help you answer questions too, Green said.
WHEN IS THE APPLICATION DUE?
It’s due Feb. 22. Green’s optimistic that some of the projects can get started this Spring.
“The city’s really excited to try this out just so we can really help neighborhoods fund some of the desires they have in their community,” Green said.
Do you have other questions about your neighborhood or how to get involved? Let us know at kcq@kcstar.com or with the form below.
This story was originally published February 9, 2022 at 11:00 AM.
