Neighborhood Initiatives Fund

The Neighborhood Initiatives Fund Program provides grants in order to help unlock the economic and placemaking potential within neighborhood commercial corridors, support vision-to-action community investment strategies that build an equitable Pittsburgh, and formalize collaborative partnerships across the City.

Program Details

The Neighborhood Initiatives Fund (NIF) Program is intended to assist nonprofits (including government agencies) and community-based organizations with neighborhood-scale projects in commercial corridors. These projects include efforts that encourage neighborhood investment through vacant property reclamation and stewardship, historic preservation, brownfield redevelopment, public infrastructure improvements, and/or other eligible efforts. Nonprofit organizations with for profit development partners are also eligible to apply.

There are two tiers of available grants:

• Tier 1 grants will fund projects between $20,000 and $30,000
  
  
• Tier 2 grants will fund projects between $30,001 and $100,000
  
  

A match is not required for Tier 1 grants. Tier 2 grants will require a 2:1 match; for every two dollars ($2) of Program funds invested into a project, there must be at least one-dollar ($1) match invested in the project. Matching funds must come from non-URA and non-city sources.

Important Program Dates

• May 15, 2023 - 2023 NIF applications open 
  
  
• May 25 and June 7, 2023 - Virtual NIF Information Sessions:
  • May 25, 2023 at 12 p.m.; Register Here
  • June 7, 2023 at 6 p.m.; Register Here  
    
    
• July 31, 2023 - 2023 NIF applications are due by 5 p.m. 
  
  

How to Apply

Applications open May 15, 2023 and are due by 5 p.m. on July 31, 2023. Click on the Program Application link below. Complete the application online, and include any attachments where indicated. Email Jamie Piotrowski with any questions at jpiotrowski@ura.org. 

Program Materials

Program Guidelines

Program Application

NIF Itemized Budget Template

Grantee Spotlights

• Grow Pittsburgh
  
  
• North Side Partnership Project
  
  
• ACH Clear Pathways Arts Center
  
  
• Brookline Community Apiary and Garden Infrastructure

In the News

• 5 Pittsburgh neighborhoods will split $527,345 for community improvement projects
  
  

• URA announces $500,000 to fund neighborhood improvements

• Beltzhoover residents laud URA’s investment in former elementary school 
  
  
• Got a community-led project? Apply for the URA’s $100,000 neighborhood assistance program
  
  
• URA announces Neighborhood Initiatives Fund projects
  
  
• URA announces Neighborhood Initiative Fund awards
  
  
• 'It has taken us over the top': $850,000 in grants awarded under new URA program

Press Releases

• Release: URA to Award Seven Neighborhood Initiatives Fund Grants
  
  
• Release: URA Announces Neighborhood Initiatives Fund Program Round 4; Application Process Open
  
  
• Release: URA, City of Pittsburgh and Key Stakeholders Celebrate Revitalization of the Pittsburgh Musical Theater
  
  
• Watch Press Event: Hill District Community-driven Projects
  
  
• Release: City, Urban Redevelopment Authority Investing $250,000 in Three Hill District Community-Driven Projects
  
  
• Watch Press Event: Esser’s Plaza on the South Side
  
  
• Release: City, Urban Redevelopment Authority Investing $100,000 in the Revitalization of Esser's Plaza
  
  
• Watch Press Event: Beltzhoover Elementary School
  
  
• Release: City, Urban Redevelopment Authority Investing $72,000 in Community-Driven Project at Former Beltzhoover Elementary School
  
  
• Release: URA Announces Neighborhood Initiatives Fund Projects Ready to Move Forward