Creative
Placemaking
Supporting community-led projects across the Cook County suburbs
Creative
Placemaking
Supporting community-led projects across the Cook County suburbs
Program Overview
Cook County is investing $2 million in transformative community-led projects that leverage the arts to enhance the quality of life for suburban Cook County residents. The County has partnered with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to manage the grant application process, conduct peer-to-peer Learning Circles, and provide technical assistance to grantees as they work to implement their projects.
Nonprofit organizations located in and serving suburban neighborhoods may apply for grants from $50,000 to $250,000, along with technical assistance, for Creative Placemaking projects that improve the economic, physical, and social vitality of suburban communities.
Project Proposals
Applicants are encouraged to identify opportunities to leverage the power of the arts within broader community revitalization plans. Partnerships are key. Competitive project proposals will demonstrate community embeddedness with evidence of input from a range of community partners, including residents, independent artists, local government, small businesses, community and economic development agencies, and other nonprofits.
Proposed projects should work to deepen community connections and create a shared vision for change. Proposals might include:
- Artist Murals and Public Art
- Community Gardens
- Cultural Planning/Convening
- Neighborhood Gateways
- Reimagined Public Spaces
- Commercial Corridor Improvements
- Creative Asset Mapping
- New Cultural Facilities
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must:
Have received IRS determination of exempt status as a 501(c) at least two years prior to application and maintained continuous operations since receiving status. A 501(c) organization is a type of nonprofit entity that qualifies for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) in the United States. These organizations are exempt from federal income tax because they serve a public, mutual, or member benefit purpose rather than a private profit motive. A 501(c) 4 is not eligible to apply.
Have an official business address in suburban Cook County (outside the City of Chicago).
Not sure whether the address is in Cook County? Click here.
Have a record of achievement with implementing services, programs, or initiatives to improve the lives of residents in suburban communities.
Priority for funding will focus on projects from applicants with a history in creative placemaking in underserved/under-resourced communities.
Application
Project proposals may originate from nonprofits working in any area (e.g. community and economic development, education, environment, health, violence prevention, arts and culture, etc.).
What makes a proposal competitive?
Community Impact
The project addresses critical community needs by revitalizing shared spaces, promoting social cohesion, and fostering a deeper sense of belonging among residents. By prioritizing underserved groups, the initiative ensures equitable access to resources, improving quality of life and creating opportunities for collective growth.
Community & Arts Engagement
The project integrates arts and culture as central tools for storytelling and expression, empowering local voices and reflecting the community’s unique identity. Artists are involved and incorporate public installations, and the initiative encourages active participation, making the arts an accessible and transformative force in the community.
Project Feasibility
With a detailed project plan, secured resources, and partnerships with local stakeholders, the initiative is well-positioned to achieve its goals within the designated timeline and budget. The project is practical, scalable, and sustainable in its execution.
Organization Capacity & Experience Managing Federal Funds
The organization has successfully completed federally funded projects, demonstrating compliance, transparency, and effective use of resources. With established systems for reporting and financial management, the team is equipped to handle the rigorous demands of federal funding requirements.
Overall Team Expertise
The project team brings a diverse range of expertise in arts programming, community engagement, and project management, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach to success. Key team members have extensive experience in leading impactful initiatives, combining creative vision with technical skills to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Deadline: April 7, 2025.
Help Desk
Cook County and LISC are partnering with Arts Alliance Illinois to provide 1:1 support with your application. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, need help filling out the application, or are new to filling out government grants, reach out!
Upcoming Events
Register for upcoming virtual informational webinars and office hours with LISC.
Informational Webinar #1
Thursday, February 27
1:30-2:30 PM
Informational Webinar #2
Thursday, March 20
5:30pm-6:30 PM
Virtual Office Hours with LISC
Tuesday, March 4, 5:30-6:30 PM Thursday, March 6, 11-12 PM Tuesday, March 25, 5:30-6:30 PM Thursday, March 27, 10-11 AM Tuesday, April 1, 11-12 PM
FAQs
Last updated 02/25/2025. This FAQ section will be updated as we identify common questions and organization scenarios through the Help Desk, office hours, and virtual information sessions.
Examples of creative placemaking components include but are not limited to:
- Artist murals in public places
- Public art
- Community gardens
- Cultural planning/convening
- Community gateways
- Reimagined public spaces
- Commercial corridor improvements
- Creative asset mapping
- New cultural facility planning
- Planning for cultural facility development
The application portal opens on February 25, 2025 and closes on April 7, 2025. Prior to submitting an application, we encourage prospective grantees to review the available information on this website, to attend virtual webinars and LISC Office Hours, and/or submit a ticket to the Arts Alliance Help Desk for 1-1 support.
Applicants can find support via Cook County Arts’ partner, Arts Alliance Illinois, which provides a Help Desk service for this application. Applicants can visit the Help Desk for 1-1 support with troubleshooting and questions here.
Grantees will be paired with an experienced project advisor who will support the development of a detailed project plan and work alongside grantees through the journey to completion. Technical assistance can take many forms. Proposed projects may be at any stage of development and may be components of larger community plans.
Peer-to-Peer Sessions
The Project Team will benefit from peer-to-peer learning during monthly sessions as they work together to complete their creative placemaking projects. This shared experience will foster new network connections while providing support from project planning through implementation and beyond.
Learning Circles
The Learning Circles will offer a space for participants to meet with national and regional experts to discuss strategies on achieving community goals using creative placemaking approaches. Each session will be customized to focus on best practices, potential challenges, and leadership.
Participation in monthly Learning Circle meetings is required as a grantee of the program. Sessions are 90-minutes and may take place both in-person and via video conference call throughout the grant cycle.
Unlike gentrification, which often replaces older elements with upscale amenities, placemaking or placekeeping emphasizes maintaining and enhancing what is already there. Placekeeping prioritizes affordability, ensuring that housing, businesses, and cultural spaces remain accessible to current residents. It fosters equitable economic development by supporting local entrepreneurs and avoiding speculative investments that drive up property values.
Nonprofit organizations in suburban Cook County are eligible to apply to this program and must be the lead applicant.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Have received IRS determination of exempt status as a 501(c) with at least two years prior to application and maintained continuous operations since receiving status. A 501(c) organization is a type of nonprofit entity that qualifies for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) in the United States. These organizations are exempt from federal income tax because they serve a public, mutual, or member benefit purpose rather than a private profit motive. A 501(c) 4 is not eligible to apply.
- Have an official business address in suburban Cook County (outside the City of Chicago).
- Have a record of achievement, history implementing services, programs, or initiatives to improve the lives of residents in suburban communities
- Priority for funding will focus on projects from applicants with a history in creative placemaking in underserved/under-resourced communities.
Yes. All proposed projects must take place in a suburban community in Cook County to be considered. Proposed projects that are not located in suburban Cook County, or are located in the City of Chicago, are not eligible.
No. For-profit entities may be partners in the project, but a nonprofit organization must serve as the applicant and lead the project.
Yes, project teams with a fiscal sponsor may be part of the project team. The fiscal sponsor must be an eligible organization to apply.
Project proposals may originate from nonprofits working in any area (e.g. community and economic development, education, environment, health, violence prevention, arts and culture, etc.).
A strong project team for creative placemaking initiatives is led by a community-based nonprofit organization and includes a diverse set of partners to ensure inclusive and community-driven outcomes. Successful project teams could include the following:
- Community organizations
- Arts organizations and artists who will be part of the planning process to develop and design projects that reflect the artistic and cultural expressions of the people who live and work in the targeted project communities.
- Historical societies or preservation organizations preserving the heritage, culture, and architecture that is a reflection of the targeted communities
- Youth-serving organizations
- Local business organizations that will enhance creative placemaking initiatives
- Local divisions of government
A successful team will work together to honor the community’s identity while fostering sustainability and inclusivity.
LISC will screen all applications for eligibility and assess applications based on the following five criteria:
Community Impact: The project addresses critical community needs by revitalizing shared spaces, promoting social cohesion, and fostering a deeper sense of belonging among residents. By prioritizing underserved groups, the initiative ensures equitable access to resources, improving quality of life and creating opportunities for collective growth.
Community & Arts Engagement: The project integrates arts and culture as central tools for storytelling and expression, empowering local voices and reflecting the community’s unique identity. Artists are involved and incorporate public installations, and the initiative encourages active participation, making the arts an accessible and transformative force in the community.
Project Feasibility: With a detailed project plan, secured resources, and partnerships with local stakeholders, the initiative is well-positioned to achieve its goals within the designated timeline and budget. The project is practical, scalable, and sustainable in its execution.
Organization Capacity & Experience Managing Federal Funds: The organization has successfully completed federally funded projects, demonstrating compliance, transparency, and effective use of resources. With established systems for reporting and financial management, the team is equipped to handle the rigorous demands of federal funding requirements.
Overall Team Expertise: The project team brings a diverse range of expertise in arts programming, community engagement, and project management, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach to success. Key team members have extensive experience in leading impactful initiatives, combining creative vision with technical skills to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Yes. If all fields are filled out correctly, after hitting “done,” every applicant will see a screen confirming the application has been submitted.
LISC will use email to communicate with all applicants. Be sure to check email regularly, including spam folders. Email communications with applicants, including next steps for finalists, will come from [email protected]. Finalists will be notified of their status by email and must respond promptly. It’s essential to use an email address that is checked frequently.
No, grants do not need to be repaid. However, accurate financial records must be maintained. Any taxes associated with the acceptance and/or uses of grants awarded are the sole responsibility of the individual grantee.
Teams must provide the lead application organization’s EIN for background verification. This background verification does not involve a credit check or credit score pull. If awarded the grant, LISC will require the submission of a W-9 and appropriate banking information in order to receive funds via ACH. If selected as a grantee, payments will be disbursed following an executed grant agreement. The executed grant agreement will be based on the project plan and milestones made.
The first payment will be disbursed following a signed and executed grant agreement with LISC. The executed grant agreement will have instructions on how disbursements will be made based on the project plan and milestones. If all account information by the organization is up to date and complete, payments take between 14-21 business days.
On a case-by-case basis, LISC will consider compelling, large-scale projects that exceed the scope of the grant terms, particularly if the creative placemaking/placekeeping initiatives require large-scale development or significant fundraising to jumpstart the project.
Funds may be used for direct costs that are directly attributed to the project and indirect costs associated with the project. Eligible costs include reasonably allocated personnel cost (salary and fringe benefits) related to the proposed project, necessary supplies and materials, printing and publication cost related to the project, consultants/subject matter experts and contractual services and any other applicable project-related costs. Creative placemaking grantees must comply with all applicable federal, state, local (and any other governmental) laws, executive orders, rules, and regulations regarding the use of grant funds.
Program funds cannot be used for:
- General operating support.
- Ongoing programming that is not creative placemaking related or for projects that do not build creative placemaking.
- Reimbursement for work completed, debt reduction, or endowment/capital campaigns.
- Purchase of computers, software, equipment, and furnishings; website and database upgrades; or annual audits.
All proposed creative placemaking projects must help to transform communities into beautiful, livable, lively, and resilient places with the arts at their core.
What you'll need for your application
Creative Placemaking Project Plan, including:
- Project history- if applicable and relevant
- Project budget- indicating proposed source and status of all project revenue
- Project timeline- long-term maintenance plan
- Site control
- Images and details of proposed site if applicable
- Roster of project team and key community partners (artists, community development leaders, residents, etc.) with brief biographies, their role in the project, and highlighting relevant skills and experiences
IRS Letter of Determination as 501(c) Nonprofit*
Financial Statements for the last 2 years (audited or unaudited)
Letters of Support to demonstrate community support (no more than 3)
*If the applicant is operating with a Fiscal Sponsorship, include a signed and executed fiscal agency agreement between applicant and fiscal agent.
What is Creative Placemaking?
Creative placemaking (or placekeeping, when focused on protecting the distinctiveness of place) integrates arts, culture and design activities into efforts that strengthen communities. In disinvested neighborhoods, it guides residents’ efforts to make social, physical and economic changes in their communities through arts and culture. Such efforts might include renovating a historic theater, building affordable live-work spaces for artists, or transforming vacant lots into lively gathering places or community exhibition sites.
In suburban Cook County, creative placemaking work will support ongoing initiatives to further economic development, advance equity and uplift the creative sector.
Looking for more examples? Check out the links below: