URA Announces Neighborhood Initiatives Fund Program Round 4; Application Process Open

Applications are due on May 10

PITTSBURGH, PA (March 14, 2022) Mayor Ed Gainey and the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) announced that the application process for Round 4 of the URA’s Neighborhood Initiatives Fund (NIF) Program is open; applications are due on May 10. Awardees will be announced in June.

The NIF Program makes it easier for City of Pittsburgh communities to access funding for neighborhood-scale projects. Since the beginning of the program in 2019, NIF awards have been granted to 37 projects across more than 20 City neighborhoods for a total investment of over $1.9 million.

“I have long been a champion for the NIF program,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “When we invest in the folks who are doing the work of building up our neighborhoods, we strengthen our communities. This program is vital to creating a more just and equitable City for all of us.”  

The amount of funding available Citywide for Round 4 is $450,000; up to 10 projects will be funded.

“The NIF Program directly invests in the visions of our community members and the work already underway in our communities by directly supporting nonprofit and community-based organizations leading efforts to improve and strengthen our neighborhoods,” said URA Deputy Executive Director Dr. Diamonte Walker.

NIF Round 4 will grant up to $100,000 to nonprofit organizations or nonprofits with for-profit development partners for eligible non-housing, neighborhood projects including, but not limited to:

• Vacant property reclamation and stewardship
  
  
• Conceptual design and engineering
  
  
• Historic preservation
  
  
• Commercial district revitalization
  
  
• Construction of public space and neighborhood infrastructure improvements, such as streetscape improvements, transit and transportation-related improvements, parks and open space improvements, green infrastructure, and public art

There are two levels of funding available:

• Tier 1 funds grants between $20,000 and $30,000 with no matching requirements
  
  
• Tier 2 funds grants between $30,000 and $100,000 with a 2:1 match requirement (For every $2 of Program funds invested into a project, there must be at least a $1 match by non-URA and non-City sources).
  
  

The URA will hold virtual information sessions via Zoom:

• Thursday, March 17 at 4 p.m.
  
  
• Tuesday, March 22 at 2 p.m.
  
  
• Thursday, April 7 at 12 p.m.

Links to the information sessions can be found here.  All sessions will be recorded and available on the URA website.

The program guidelines, application and funding schedule can be found here. For additional information, please contact Josette Fitzgibbons, URA manager of neighborhood business districts, at jfitzgibbons@ura.org.

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About the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA)
The URA is the City of Pittsburgh's economic development agency, supporting the City’s economic development goals, which are designed to create a city of inclusive opportunity for residents, stakeholders, and communities. The URA is committed to creating more housing that is affordable to the average Pittsburgher; encouraging more entrepreneurship and small business development; promoting inclusive growth and quality job creation; expanding neighborhood and main streets revitalization efforts; and developing a talented workforce that is equipped with the skills of the future.