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Michigan Municipal League offering fourth round of Bridge Builders Microgrants

The Daily Telegram
USA TODAY NETWORK

ANN ARBOR — A new round of $1,000 and $5,000 microgrants is being offered by the Michigan Municipal League Foundation to break down barriers and bring people together, a news release from the foundation said. 

The Michigan Municipal League Foundation has launched its fourth round of its Bridge Builders Microgrants program for those looking to unite people in creative ways. Applications close April 23. 

This year, the foundation is increasing the grant amounts of its neighborhood microgrant category from $500 to $1,000 while still offering its Main Street microgrants at $5,000 per grant. 

“These microgrants are for community-centered projects that will bring people together,” Helen D. Johnson, president of the Michigan Municipal League Foundation, said in the release. “We love Bridge Builder Microgrants, and the program has been so successful that we’re thrilled to double the size of the neighborhood microgrants while continuing our Main Street grants. We can’t wait to see how this year’s projects foster collaboration across sectors and bring people together in communities.” 

Past neighborhood microgrant project recipients include community gatherings in Hastings, the Public Art Sky installation in Iron Mountain, mural projects in Grand Rapids and Cheboygan, and the Community Food Pantry Project in Dearborn Heights. 

Leslie McCurdy performed a one-woman tribute to Harriet Tubman Feb. 18 at the River Raisin Centre for the Arts. Her performance was part of the 2022 Discover the Underground Railroad program in Monroe.

Past Main Street microgrant projects include ARTificial Intelligence in Flint, Discover the Underground Railroad in Monroe, La Esquina Nighttime Marketplace in Detroit, and Magic Carpet and Music in the Courtyard in Bridgman. 

More:Monroe earns microgrant for Underground Railroad education programs

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In 2021, the city of Morenci received a Main Street microgrant for its downtown lot reclamation project. With the grant, the Revitalize Morenci Initiative committee alongside a group of residents transformed an empty lot through the installation of an interactive mural, seating and picnic areas. The area featured new permanent corn hole game boards and interactive play opportunities as well as lighting, landscaping, and high school art installations. 

Genevieve Rose performs during the 2022 Morenci Fall Fest. In 2021, the city of Morenci received a Main Street microgrant for its downtown lot reclamation project. With the grant, the Revitalize Morenci Initiative committee alongside a group of residents transformed an empty lot through the installation of an interactive mural, seating and picnic areas.

The Bridge Builders Microgrants program offers small one-time grants for creative projects in Michigan Municipal League member communities. Projects bring together neighbors, artists, business owners and municipal leaders, and often inspire bigger, cross-sector collaboration in Michigan communities. 

This year’s program includes two funding categories: 

• Main Street microgrants: Bridge Builders Main Street microgrants offer small, one-time grants of up to $5,000 for collaborative, creative projects in Michigan Municipal League member communities. Microgrants fund projects that bring together local artists and businesses in downtowns across Michigan. Each project should build bridges across the community by bringing people together. Downtown development authorities/commercial improvement districts, municipal governments and local businesses are eligible to apply. 

• Neighborhood microgrants: Bridge Builders neighborhood microgrants offer small, one-time grants of up to $1,000 for collaborative, creative projects or events in Michigan Municipal League member communities. Each project should build bridges across the community by bringing people together. Individuals, informal organizations, and neighborhood organizations and associations are eligible to apply. 

Projects must occur in a Michigan Municipal League member community. League member communities include nearly every city and village as well as multiple urban townships in Michigan. View the full list here: mml.org/resources-research/league-member-communities-a. Applications must be completed online. To learn more or start an application, visit mmlfoundation.org/projects/bridge-builders-microgrants/about-this-year.

“We are looking forward to this year’s applications and projects. Our state is home to so many creative, thoughtful people ready to celebrate their communities and we’re ready to celebrate with them,” Rachel Skylis, program officer for the Michigan Municipal League Foundation, said in the release. 

Those with questions or those interested in partnership opportunities should contact Skylis at 734-669-6333 or rskylis@mml.org. There are two virtual office hours events for people who are interested in applying but have questions. The first is from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, and the second is from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 13. The Zoom links can be found at mmlfoundation.org/2023-bridge-builders-program-virtual-office-hours.