City of Pittsburgh Launches "Summer of Engagement" Mini-Grants for Community Events Supporting First-Ever Comprehensive Plan
Pittsburgh, PA – The City of Pittsburgh Department of City Planning today announced the launch of its "Summer of Engagement" Mini Grants program, offering $1,500 grants to support community events that will help shape the city's first-ever comprehensive plan.
The mini-grants aim to fund approximately 45 community events across Pittsburgh's 90 neighborhoods during summer 2025. Recipients will enhance existing community gatherings by incorporating interactive engagement activities related to the PGH 2050 Comprehensive Plan, which will guide the city's development through 2050.
"In more than 200 years as a chartered city, Pittsburgh has never created an integrated comprehensive plan to guide its growth," said Dr. Jamil Bey, Director of City Planning. "PGH 2050 will change that by bringing together 30,000 voices from across our 90 neighborhoods to create a shared vision for Pittsburgh's future."
The comprehensive plan will address key topics such as transportation, housing, small businesses, parks, arts and culture, public health, and more. It will be grounded in climate justice and Just Transition principles, aiming to address social, racial, and environmental injustices while proactively planning for the future of all Pittsburghers.
Grant Details:
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Award amount: $1,500 per event
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Application deadline: April 30, 2025
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Event time frame: Summer 2025
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Eligibility: Events must occur within Pittsburgh city limits and be open to the public
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Information sessions: March 24, 2025 (6-7 PM), and April 7th (12-1PM) Attendance at one session required.
The City is particularly focused on reaching communities often left out of planning conversations, including Black residents and Black-owned businesses, Indigenous people, Latino/Hispanic residents and businesses, immigrant and refugee communities, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ communities, neurodivergent populations, and residents who have returned to the city after incarceration.
"These mini-grants are about meeting people where they are, in their own neighborhoods, at events they already know and love," said Sharonda Whatley, Assistant Director of Strategic Planning, Department of City Planning. "By supporting existing community gatherings, we're making it easier for everyone to participate in shaping Pittsburgh's future."
Grant recipients will receive a community event toolkit with engagement materials and will be responsible for setting up feedback stations to collect community input on the comprehensive plan.
Applications open March 15, 2025. Interested community members and organizations can learn more and apply at https://pgh2050.com/upcomingevents
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About PGH 2050 PGH 2050 is Pittsburgh's first-ever comprehensive plan, which will guide the city's development through 2050. Led by the Department of City Planning, this two-year planning process aims to engage 30,000 residents across all 90 neighborhoods to create recommendations for building a Pittsburgh that is safe, welcoming, and thriving for all residents. Learn more at pgh2050.com.
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