Design Impact Grant

Overview

The City of Raleigh’s Design Review Commission helps guide how the community looks and grows. They work with people, businesses, and organizations to support good design across the city. Their main goal is to make public spaces welcoming and useful for everyone in Raleigh.

To support this goal, the Commission created the Design Impact Grant (DIG). This grant helps pay for projects that improve public spaces and design in Raleigh. These projects might include:

• research
• creative programs
• upgrades to buildings and outdoor areas

The amount of money available each year can change, but past grants have been between $1,000 and $10,000.

Objectives

• Support catalytic projects that address the community's unique needs and desires.
• Empower residents, business owners, and other stakeholders to shape the built environment and character of the city.
• Activate the public realm through innovative proposals and design applications.
• Spur future interest and investment in a particular place.
• Uplift underrepresented populations and communities.

Evaluation Criteria

Successful applications will strive to address as many of these criteria as possible. However, not all requirements need to be addressed to be selected.

• Innovation and Design Quality
  • The project elevates the quality of place and character of the city.
• Community Impact
  • The project addresses a specific need or deficiency in the community.
  • The proposal improves overall quality of life, well-being, and social cohesion.       
• Public Realm Activation
  • The project encourages activity in a public space.
• Economic and Social Advancement
  • The project uplifts historically disadvantaged populations and communities.
• Feasibility and Durability
  
  • The grant, if/when combined with other dedicated financial resources, is sufficient to fulfill the project vision.
  • The applicant has demonstrated an understanding of the approvals necessary to complete the project.
  • The project will make a lasting impact on the community.
  • The applicant has outlined a plan for long-term maintenance and programming if applicable.

Application Requirements

• Applicant Name(s) and Contact Information
• Property Owner Name and Contact Information (if different than applicate)
• Name of Business, Non-Profit, Neighborhood Organization, etc. that will receive the funds.
• Project Name
• Project Location(s)
  • Must be located within Raleigh or its Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).
  • NOTE: To verify status, access iMAPS. Select Planning and Development layer, and the Corporate Limits and Planning Jurisdictions sublayers. Type the property address in the search bar. Click the Identify Features icon in the top left and then click the property to see results.
• Project Description (500-word maximum)
• Response to each of the evaluation criteria.
• Timeline and Project Benchmarks
  • Typically, the project must be completed within one (1) year of the disbursement of funds.
• Due Diligence
  
  • Property Owner authorization and/or correspondence documenting property owner support.
  • Documentation of communication and correspondence with regulatory authorities and key stakeholders, for example:
    
    • City of Raleigh
    • North Carolina Department of Transportation
    • Duke Energy
  • List of necessary permits and/or approvals, for example. NOTE: these do not need to be obtained at the time of submittal:
    
    • Building Permits
    • Zoning Permits
    • Site Permits
• Total Budget:
  • Requested funds from the Design Review Commission.
  • Itemized cost breakdown including materials, labor, and in-kind volunteer contributions.
    • For financial or in-kind contributions from other parties, include Letter(s) of Intent or other correspondence documenting project partner support.
  • NOTE: Funds must be encumbered by June 2027.
• If applicable:
  • Plan, rendering, and/or concept sketch of the proposed project.
  • Photos or aerial imagery of the site.
  • Photos of similar projects in Raleigh or other locations.
  • List of required contractors, trades people, service providers, or other project partners.
  • Maintenance plan and/or proof of capacity and commitment to maintain the project.
• If requested by the Commission upon initial review of the application:
  • Programming plan
  • Community engagement/outreach strategy

Eligible Projects

• Placemaking Installations and Initiatives
• Functional Public Art
  
  • NOTE: Art must be interactive and serve a placemaking or infrastructure function. Examples include: 
    
    • Street Parklets
    • Street Furniture
    • Pop-Up Plaza / Park
    • Bus Stop or Bike Parking Improvements
    • Street or Crosswalk Murals
    • Green Infrastructure
    • Community Agriculture
    • Playscapes
• Community Programs
• Academic Studies
• Enhancements to infrastructure, public parks, or open space
• Any idea that enhances design in the city - be creative!

Eligible and Ineligible Expenditures

• Eligible
  • Materials
  • Contracted Labor
  • Artist/Designer Fees
  • Permit Fees
• Ineligible
  • Salaries
  • Food and Beverages
  • Indirect administrative costs
  • Costs incurred before, or as a result of, the application process
  • Personal use items
  • Political campaigning of any kind
  • Improvements or contributions required by City Code or adopted ordinance (e.g. zoning condition)

Contract Requirements

If the award amount is $5,000 or greater, you will need to enter into contract with the City and provide the following information:

• Full contractor contact information
• A certificate of Commercial General Liability insurance that lists the City of Raleigh as an additional covered (including the address PO Box 590, Raleigh NC 27602). 
• A certificate of Worker’s Compensation & Employers Liability insurance (if not otherwise exempt)
• A certificate of Automobile Liability insurance if a vehicle is used in the provision of services and/or is brought onto City of Raleigh property.
• The name, title, phone number and email for the person signing the contract and the person to attest the signer’s signature in DocuSign:
  
  • (1st Signer) A corporate officer listed on North Carolina Secretary of State (NC SOS) must sign the agreement. Delegation to a non-corporate officer is permitted as long as a “delegation of signature authority” letter, on company letterhead and signed by a Corporate Officer, is be provided.
  • (2nd Signer) A corporate officer listed on North Carolina Secretary of State (NCSOS) must attest. Delegation to a non-corporate officer is not permitted for attestation.

Confirmation of vendor registration through City’s portal.

Application Timeline

Late September 2026

Applicants may submit proposals using the online form.

November 6, 2026 

Deadline for submissions.

November 2026

Staff and the Design Review Commission review proposals and contact finalists.

December 2026

Finalists meet with relevant City Departments and external stakeholders to understand applicable regulations and any permits/approvals that are needed to complete the project.

January 2027

Finalists present their proposals to the Design Review Commission.

January and February 2027

The Design Review Commission selects awardees.

February through June 2027

Depending on the award amount, awardees work with staff to complete the necessary contract paperwork.

July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028

Funds are dispersed, and awardees effectuate the project in accordance with the proposed timeline.