The Neighborhood Initiatives Fund Program

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

• March 11, 2022 - 2022 NIF applications open 
  
  
• March 17 - April 7, 2022 - Virtual NIF Information/Technical Assistance Sessions:
  • March 17, 2022 at 4 p.m.; Register here
  • March 22, 2022 nd at 2 p.m.; Register here                
  • April 7, 2022 at 12 p.m.; Register here
    
    
• May 10, 2022 - 2022 NIF applications are due by 5 p.m. 
  
  

How to Apply

2022 NIF applications are open! Applications are due by 5 p.m. on May 10, 2022. Click on the Program Application link below. Fill out 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

Grantee Spotlights

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

In the News

• Beltzhoover residents laud URA’s investment in former elementary school | TribLIVE
  
  
• 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 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