In May 2015, Michigan Community Resources (MCR) launched Neighborhood Exchange, a new vision for how we support
community-based organizations as they work to make communities stronger. Neighborhood Exchange is a platform to
provide these organizations with access to a variety of capacity building resources. They learn and share best practices at
workshops and forums. They celebrate the work of local community groups online at www.neighborhood-exchange.com.
They access funding and technical assistance that helps them accomplish their goals.
Neighborhood Exchange Mini-Grants: NEx Green Stormwater Infrastructure
MINI-GRANT PROGRAM PURPOSE
Michigan Community Resources (MCR) invites nonprofit community-based organizations, i.e.: block clubs, neighborhood
associations, and community development organization throughout the City of Detroit to apply for its 2017 Neighborhood
Exchange Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Mini-Grant Program. The program will provide funding for communitybased organizations seeking to implement green stormwater infrastructure practices/projects/installations that will:
 Reduce stormwater runoff
 Improve water quality
 Qualify for GSI credits from Detroit’s DWSD towards their drainage fees (when applicable)
 Serve as demonstration projects that can educate residents and other community groups about the importance of
water quality and stormwater management
Five grants of $5,000 each will be awarded in this round. Neighborhood Exchange GSI Mini-Grants will provide $5,000
for project implementation, as well as technical assistance and project management support. This includes assistance with
project planning and budgeting. In addition, each grantee will be highlighted on the Neighborhood Exchange website and
will be invited to attend green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) workshops open to the cohort.
PROJECT EXAMPLES
Examples of projects that can be submitted include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Rain barrels and rain water catchment systems that store water for irrigation purposes
Rain garden and native landscaping installations
Permeable paving, green walls, and bioswales
Any of the Storm Water Superstars treatments found in Detroit Future City’s Field Guide to Working with Lots
DEADLINE
Completed application packages must be submitted by 5pm on Monday June 5, 2017. Forms may be submitted in person,
mail, or email:
In person or Mail:
Michigan Community Resources
615 Griswold, Suite 200
Detroit, MI 48226
Email:
[email protected]
For more information or questions, email [email protected], or call Andrea Perkins at (313) 938-4129 or
Lydia Rae Levinson at (313) 969-7781.
ELIGIBILITY
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Each applicant must be:
1. A non-profit or community-based organization based in Detroit
2. Incorporated in the State of Michigan
3. Have an annual operating budget between $2,000 and $200,000
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Submit a completed application package in ONE SUBMISSION containing the following REQUIRED items:
1. Completed application form
2. Proof of Eligibility
a. Verification of incorporation with the State of Michigan
b. The previous year’s operating budget with income of no less than $2,000 and no more than $200,000.
3. Letter(s) of support for your (applicant) organization’s participation, signed by your organization’s board
4. Proof of site control, as described in Section 2 of the application
OPTIONAL – Letters of Support from additional partners or stakeholders
The application package must include REQUIRED items 1-4 above. Incomplete application packages will not be considered.
MCR may follow up with you at any time to verify application information.
Applicants will receive email confirmation upon receipt of their application package. All application forms will be kept
confidential. Final selected grant recipients will be announced in July 2017.
Completed application packages must be submitted by 5pm on Monday, June 5, 2017 for consideration. Forms may be
submitted in person, mail, or email:
In person or Mail:
Michigan Community Resources
615 Griswold, Suite 200
Detroit, MI 48226
Email:
[email protected]
APPLICATION ASSISTANCE
For additional application assistance, you may schedule an appointment with MCR staff members from May 23-May 26 to
discuss project ideas and design, provide feedback on grant narrative, assist in budget creation, clarify application
questions, and answer any additional questions related to the Neighborhood Exchange Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Mini-Grant program or application. To schedule an appointment, please email [email protected] or call
Andrea Perkins at (313) 938-4129 or Lydia Rae Levinson at (313) 969-7781.
IMPORTANT DATES – 2017
May 23- May 26: Application Assistance: (by Appointment). See above for contact information
June 5: 5:00 PM Application Deadline
July 16-20: Semi Finalists Meet with Technical Assistance Providers
On or Before July 31: Final Grantee Selection
August-October 2017: Project Implementation
The 2017 Neighborhood Exchange Green Stormwater Infrastructure Mini-Grants are available to nonprofit community
groups throughout the city of Detroit. Please email [email protected] or call Andrea Perkins at (313) 9384129 or Lydia Rae Levinson at (313) 969-7781if you have any questions regarding eligibility.
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Application Form
SECTION 1: ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
To be considered for a Neighborhood Exchange Green Stormwater Infrastructure Mini-Grant award, your organization
must meet all four eligibility requirements. We strongly encourage groups to consider opening an organizational checking
account.
My organization meets the following requirements (check all that apply):
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Verification of incorporation with the state of Michigan
Previous year’s operating budget of at least $2,000 and no more than $200,000
A specific project site within the City of Detroit (cannot be city-wide), and proof of site control
I have read and understand the important dates section and am willing to comply with the timeline
If you have checked all four boxes, you are eligible to apply for a Neighborhood Exchange Green Stormwater
Infrastructure Mini-Grant award. If you have questions, please contact MCR.
SECTION 2: SITE INFORMATION
Please provide documentation of site control by the applying organization for the proposed project location.
If the property is owned by the applicant, please provide a copy of the deed for the property.
If the property is owned by a different entity, please provide a copy of the deed for the property, along with either
signed lease agreement or a letter from the property owner indicating that they consent to the project use.
SECTION 3: APPLICANT INFORMATION
General Organization Information
Organization Name:
Organization Address:
City, State, Zip Code:
Organization Phone Number:
Organization Website:
Organization Social Media link(s):
Primary Contact Person (Applicant)
Contact Name:
Role in Organization:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
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Organization Details
Organization Street Boundaries:
North:
South:
East:
West:
Type of organization (check one):
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Community Development Organization
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Block Club
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Faith-Based Institution
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Neighborhood Association
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Community-Based Nonprofit
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Other:__________________
Organization’s Mission and History (maximum 250 words):
(Statement of the organization’s purpose, a description of the people served, and a short description of the history of the
organization.)
Major Program Activities (maximum 250 words):
(Bullet point summary of past and current programs and major accomplishments)
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SECTION 4: PROPOSAL INFORMATION
General Proposal Information
Related Experience (in 250 words or less):
(Describe your organization’s past/current experience related to neighborhood greening, gardening, or beautification
projects.)
Target Area of proposed project - specific address(es) or parcel ID(s):
General Description of Proposed Project
(Attach additional pages with typed responses of no more than 250 words to answer each of the questions below)
1. Statement of need – Why is there a need to manage stormwater at this location? Why is the applicant the right
candidate to fulfill those needs?
2. Goals and Objectives
3. Methods – What steps will you take to complete the proposed project and meet your goals and objectives? Who
will be responsible for installing the GSI project? Who will be responsible for maintaining the GIS project after
installation is complete?
4. Project Impact – How will you measure success of your proposed project? How will the project benefit your
organization and the neighborhood?
5. Project Sustainability - How does this project align with your organization’s long term (5+ years) goals and vision
for the neighborhood?
6. Budget- What is the estimated cost of labor and materials for the project? Can the project be completed for
$5,000? Please use the budget template included in Appendix A.
7. Timeline- What are the steps towards implementation and when will they be completed? Please keep in mind the
important project dates and use the timeline template included in Appendix B.
8. Challenges- What challenges do you anticipate in planning and implementing your project? What sort of technical
assistance would be most helpful in addressing these challenges? Please see Appendix C for examples of technical
assistance available from MCR and other resource providers.
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SECTION 5: ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Evaluation Process
Each Neighborhood Exchange Green Stormwater Infrastructure Mini-Grant recipient must agree to participate in a final
evaluation process, which requires the following items:
1. An itemized project budget.
2. A narrative description of all the activities performed using Neighborhood Exchange GSI Mini-Grant funds.
3. Receipts for all expenditures using Neighborhood Exchange GSI Mini-Grant funds.
MCR reserves the right to conduct pre and post grant site visits to review and document the proposed project location as
well as the final results of the Neighborhood Exchange GSI Mini-Grant funded activities.
For more information or questions, email [email protected] or call Andrea Perkins at (313) 938-4129 or
Lydia Rae Levinson at (313) 969-7781.
The Neighborhood Exchange Green Stormwater Infrastructure Mini-Grant Program is generously funded by The Erb Family
Foundation.
We make communities stronger by connecting community groups
to resources, news, workshops and a peer network.
Appendix A: Itemized Project Budget Template
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Item
Tools
Ex: Shovels
Materials & Supplies
Ex: Compost
Rentals & Deliveries
Ex: Compost Delivery
Estimated
Cost
Quantity
Needed
Estimated
Total Cost
$9
25
$225
$60/yard
2
$120
$50
1
$50
TOTAL
Appendix B: Timeline Template
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Tasks
AUG
SEPT
OCT
NOV
Engagement & Planning Phase
Ex: Create design plans; recruit volunteers; purchase materials & tools
X
Implementation Phase
Ex: delivery of materials; site installation; order trash pick up
X
Monitor & Control Phase
Ex: winterization; maintenance; evaluate impact
X
Appendix C: Technical Assistance (TA) Support Examples
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Technical assistance may be provided in the form of:
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analyzing project feasibility
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measuring stormwater retention impact
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providing successful models from other communities
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advising on research, community outreach methods
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processes for implementation
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volunteer recruitment
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vendor identification
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