Avenues of Hope ARPA Grant Program
The Avenues of Hope American Rescue Plan Act Grant Program assists with place-based initiatives that stimulate revitalization along historically disinvested commercial corridors within the seven Avenues of Hope communities.
The Avenues of Hope American Rescue Plan Act Grant Program provides grants to advance community projects and programs that both align with the Avenues of Hope initiative of supporting equitable development within Pittsburgh’s minority communities and businesses, and with Federal American Rescue Plan Act final ruling.
About Avenues of Hope
The Avenues of Hope initiative is a place-based, people-first approach that seeks to intervene across all layers of successful, healthy, and sustainable main street development. The Avenues of Hope will be:
- Black-owned
- Centers of arts, culture, and business
- Mixed-use, transit oriented, and pedestrian friendly
- Healthy communities supported by education, health care, senior care, recreation, and human supportive services.
This initiative focuses on seven major business corridors, in which the goal is to invest in existing small businesses and residents, supporting the inclusive growth of the neighborhoods. The Avenue of Hope corridors are:
- Centre Avenue (Hill District)
- Chartiers Avenue (Elliott, Sheraden, Windgap, Chartiers City)
- Homewood Avenue (Homewood)
- Larimer Avenue (Larimer)
- Perrysville Avenue (Perry Hilltop, Observatory Hill)
- Second Avenue (Hazelwood)
- Warrington Avenue/Brownsville Road (Knoxville, Mt. Oliver, Beltzhoover, Allentown)
Program Details
The Avenues of Hope (AoH) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant Program is intended to assist nonprofits (including government agencies), community-based organizations, business district organizations, small businesses, and individuals such as business owners, property owners, and partnering private entities that are based in AoH corridors with place-based initiatives that comply with federal requirements.
This program encourages the improvement of public infrastructure, vacant commercial spaces, neighborhood investment that improves health and safety outcomes through the creation or improvement of parks and open spaces, and/or other eligible efforts. Please read the Program Guidelines for a list of eligible activities and other eligibility requirements.
There are two tiers of available grants:
- Tier 1 grants provide up to $50,000. A match is not required for Tier 1 grants.
- Tier 2 grants provide between $50,000.01 and $200,000. Tier 2 grants will require 10% (of the total project cost) cash equity investment. Applicants (excluding private entities) may use prior investments/services to cover up to half (5%) of the 10% investment. In kind services that take place over the grant contract period will also be accepted. Matching funds from URA and City sources are eligible for this program.
Important Dates
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with quarterly deadlines.
Informational webinars will take place throughout each open application period. In-person application assistance is also available upon request. Recordings of previous informational webinars will be uploaded to this page for reference.
Webinar Schedule
Registration for upcoming informational webinars will be posted to this page soon.
Quarter 1
- March 14, 2023 at 6:00 PM; Register here
- March 16, 2023 at 1:00 PM; Register here
Quarter 2
- May 9, 2023 at 6:00 PM
- May 18, 2023 at 1:00 PM
Quarter 3
- July 11, 2023 at 1:00 PM
- July 20, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Quarter 4
- October 10, 2023 at 1:00 PM
- October 19, 2023 at 5:00 PM
How to Apply
Please read the full Program Guidelines before applying for this program. You may apply one of two ways:
- Click on the Google Form Program Application link below and include any attachments where indicated; OR
- Click on the Fillable PDF Program Application link below, fill out, and then upload it along with required documents in the yellow form below.
If you have questions about how to apply or need assistance, please email AOHgrant@ura.org.
Language translation is available free of charge. Please send an email to translation@ura.org.
Program materials
Program Application Document Upload
Upload your completed AoH ARPA Grant Program application and supporting documents via the form below. You can upload all documents separately, or combine materials into one PDF (maximum file size is 1000 KB).
Applications and materials can also be submitted via Google Forms. If you submit an application via Google Forms, you do not need to upload documents here.
Please clearly name the documents with the following convention: “Organization name" followed by "type of document" e.g. "Organization A Project Budget" etc. For additional support, please email AOHgrant@ura.org.
Questions? Send an email to AOHgrant@ura.org.