The Kresge Foundation has committed an additional $6 million over the next three years to spur and support neighborhood projects across its hometown through Kresge Innovative Projects: Detroit. The commitment builds on a three-year, $5 million pilot initiative that supported 40 projects and 16 planning efforts in 2015-2017.
KIP:D projects have ranged from the revival of empty or underused buildings as neighborhood hubs to the reclamation of blighted properties as greenways. Projects have made neighborhood streets and sidewalks friendlier to bicyclists and pedestrians; they have spurred artist-neighbor collaborations in parks, engaged youth in neighborhood revitalization efforts and supported the creation of rain gardens and bioswales.
As in the pilot phase, KIP:D will support both planning and implementation activities. Planning grants of up to $35,000 and implementation grants of up to $150,000 are available. First-step applications for 2018 will be accepted through Kresge’s online FLUXX system through Feb. 13, after which selected applicants will be asked for additional information. Kresge expects to announce between 10 and 20 grant awards in May. A similar timeline is planned for 2019 and 2020.
Application to KIP:D is limited to organizations that are at least 2 years old, located in and primarily serving Detroit and that have either 501 (c)(3) nonprofit status or are part of a college or university. These entities may also submit applications for collaborations with individuals and with religious congregations, for-profits and other organizations that are ineligible to apply on their own.
KIP:D involves three main changes.
- Streamlined applications: The first-step of the online process requires less documentation than in the past. It emphasizes a concept proposal that answers four basic questions either with a one- to two-page written response or with a three-to-five-minute video. More detailed documentation and plans will be invited in the second stage of the application. (Videos won’t be judged on production values; cell-phone videos are perfectly acceptable.)
- Project flexibility: In the past, the Kresge Detroit Program prioritized implementation projects that could be completed within 18 months. In the upcoming round, grant periods will be increased to 24 months to allow more time for community engagement, planning, design and related activities.
- Technical support: In addition to $1.5 million available for projects each year, Kresge will grant an additional $500,000 annually to provide grantees with technical assistance, and to build them into a network of shared learnings and mutual support. Kresge will partner with Michigan Community Resources to coordinate technical and network building supports in the upcoming round.
As part of the outreach to potential applicants, the Kresge Detroit program has scheduled information sessions to help applicants develop their concept proposals:
- Tuesday, Jan. 23, 4:30-6 p.m., Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers Rd., Detroit
- Thursday, Jan. 25, 12:30-2 p.m., Gleaners Community Food Bank, 2131 Beaufait, Detroit
- Wednesday, Jan. 31, 12:30-2:00 p.m., TechTown, 440 Burroughs, Detroit
Kresge’s neighborhood efforts in Detroit include support for specific areas of the city (such as the Livernois-McNichols area and the stewardship of the Live6 Alliance there), support for organizations that work across the city (such as Michigan Community Resources, Data Driven Detroit, Detroit Future City and Community Development Advocates of Detroit), and support for the operations and projects of neighborhood-based organizations across the city.