Detroit neighborhood groups looking to beautify vacant lots through a city grant program have a week left to apply for this round of funding.
The Neighborhood Beautification Program (NBP) awards block clubs, neighborhood associations, nonprofit organizations and faith-based organizations that currently own vacant land between $500 and $15,000 to make use of that land.
Detroit Mayor and Michigan gubernatorial candidate Mike Duggan announced Thursday that groups interested in receiving funds for spring 2025 through the program have until Dec. 13 to apply. For organizations interested that don’t currently own vacant land in the city, NBP staff can assist with purchasing or leasing lots owned by the Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA).
The NBP, which is funded with $4.75 million from the Neighborhood Improvement Fund and the American Rescue Plan Act has previously supported projects including community gardens, lot clean-up activities and public space improvements.
The first round of NBP grants were given out in the fall of 2022, with 36 organizations receiving a total of more than $492,000 for projects across the city, according to the Detroit Department of Housing and Revitalization. The latest round of funding, which was in the fall of 2024, saw 60 organizations receive more than $820,800 for projects.
NBP staff are available to answer questions about the application during their office hours, which are Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. and Friday from 11a.m.- 1 p.m.