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.
About the Program
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.
NOTE: The Avenues of Hope American Rescue Plan Act funds for the Centre Avenue corridor have been allocated. We are no longer accepting applications for the Centre Avenue corridor.
About Avenues of Hope
The Avenues of Hope initiative ("AoH") 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) NOTE: The Avenues of Hope American Rescue Plan Act funds for the Centre Avenue corridor have been allocated. We are no longer accepting applications for the Centre Avenue corridor.
- 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 American Rescue Plan Act 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.
A recording of a previous informational webinar can be viewed on this page. In-person application assistance is available upon request.
Funding Tracker
The Avenues of Hope American Rescue Plan Act grant funds are going fast, and the competition for the funds is fierce. Before you complete your application, check the chart below to make sure that there are still funds available in your corridor!
NOTE: The Avenues of Hope American Rescue Plan Act funds for the Centre Avenue corridor have been allocated. We are no longer accepting applications from the Centre Avenue corridor.
Webinars
A recorded version of the informational webinar can be viewed below.
How to Apply
Please read the full Program Guidelines before applying for this program. You may apply one of two ways:
- Click on the JotForm Program Application link below and include any attachments where indicated; OR
- Click on the Fillable PDF Program Application link below, fill out, and then email the application along with required documents to AOHgrant@ura.org.
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
Applications and materials can be submitted via JotForm or emailed directly to AOHgrant@ura.org. If you submit an application via JotForm, you do not need to send materials via email.
If you completed the application in PDF format, please email your completed AoH ARPA Grant Program application and supporting documents to AOHgrant@ura.org. You can upload all documents separately, or combine materials into one PDF.
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.