Grant Details

The Main Street Initiative (MSI) Vibrancy Grant Program supports local efforts to increase community vibrancy by providing seed funding for a small project that will build momentum and inspire additional projects. Community vibrancy improves quality of life, helps attract and retain workforce, and enhances community pride. Any community in North Dakota could benefit from adding a spark of activity and energy to a part of your community. Whether your community wants to add public art, activate underutilized space, or promote walking and biking, this program may interest you. By starting small and supporting an initial community vibrancy project, this grant program can inspire others in your community to engage and contribute to community vibrancy, improving quality of life for visitors and residents.

The Main Street Vibrancy Grant Program will support the

following projects:

• Public Event
  • The event funded with this grant can be ongoing (i.e. annual) or a one-time event.
  • If used for an existing event (i.e. annual street fair) applicant must explain how this event will be different from previous events.
    • Example: street dance, community/farmers market, or public festival.
• Public Art or Cultural Celebration
  • Example: art in the park event, creation/updating public mural, musical performance, local theater production.
• Activating Underutilized Space
  • Example: turning a vacant space into a small park (parklet), adding plants or trees, adding benches or upgrading lighting.
• Community Gathering Space
  • Having a space where community members can gather for events and conversations, especially if centered around food, can be a vital element of vibrancy.
    • Example: upgrade or expansion to existing community hall or community/not-for-profit cafe, restaurant or grocery store.
• Promoting Active Transportation
  • Example: painting temporary bike lanes, adding decorative cross walks, adding lighting to walking spaces, making a walking path interactive or interpretive.
• Mitigating the Impact of Vacant or Deteriorated Infrastructure in a Public Area
  • Many communities have at least one building or lot that is in disrepair. While it can be expensive to tear down or renovate buildings, there may be creative things your community can do to mitigate the potential negative impacts.
    • Example: paint the windows of an empty building, fix up the façade of a vacant storefront.
• Other
  • Does your community have a great idea for a small-scale vibrancy project that isn't included on the list above? Give it a shot! Explain your project and how it will bring vibrancy to your town.