Public Spaces Community Places (Crowdgranting Match Program)

The Public Spaces Community Places (PSCP) program is a crowdgranting initiative developed by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in conjunction with Patronicity and the Michigan Municipal League (MML). The program aims to empower communities, local governments, and nonprofit organizations to revitalize or create vibrant public places and community assets across Michigan by pairing public web-based crowdfunding campaigns with matching state grant funds.

Eligible applicants include Michigan municipalities, tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, and L3Cs. Nonprofits are required to hold a current Charitable Solicitation License or valid exemption before their crowdfunding campaign goes live. Preference is given to projects connecting to or located within a traditional downtown, although projects in any Michigan community may apply. An applicant has only one opportunity to capture the PSCP grant match for a proposed project site; unsuccessful campaigns cannot reapply for the same project. Approved recipients must complete project construction within one year of receiving MEDC matching funds.

Eligible projects must focus on the activation of a new or distressed public space or community place where people gather, or upgrades that increase universal accessibility for existing public spaces. Qualified improvements include streetscapes, public plazas, parks, alley activations, non-motorized trails, waterfront amenities, farmer's markets, bandshells, and cultural facilities. Minimum project development cost is $10,000 ($5,000 crowdfunded goal and $5,000 MEDC match). Standard awards match up to $50,000, with an additional incentive match up to $25,000 (totaling up to $75,000) for projects incorporating certified universal design features. Event-based public space activations are limited to $7,500 and must occur across at least three months with four distinct events.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Interested applicants begin by creating a project profile on the Patronicity platform at www.patronicity.com/puremichigan. Patronicity staff conduct an initial screening and work with the applicant to develop the campaign. Projects passing initial review are forwarded to MEDC and MML for formal evaluation. Once approved, the crowdfunding campaign goes live for up to 60 days. If the project meets or exceeds its crowdfunding target within that deadline, MEDC awards the corresponding matching grant.