In 2016, the National Main Street Center (NMSC) and Project for Public Spaces (PPS) launched Cultivating Place in Main Street Communities, a series of two-day trainings aimed at helping Main Street communities revitalize their downtowns using placemaking—a citizen-led process that helps activate downtowns and community gathering places. NMSC and PPS piloted this training program for Main Street communities in five states: Alabama, Connecticut, Missouri, Montana, and Oregon.

In 2017, NMSC is partnering with the national, nonprofit crowdfunding platform ioby to offer matching funds, training, and one-on-one fundraising coaching to Main Street communities in those five pilot states who are ready to implement placemaking projects. Crowdfunding on ioby allows project leaders to raise funds, cultivate a local donor base, find volunteers, and build visibility for their project, all with one-on-one support and training from ioby staff.

ABOUT THIS MATCH CHALLENGE

  • Donations to the projects below will be doubled in real-time! For example, if you make a $50 donation, the project will receive $100.
  • Each donation will be matched up to the first $250 of a donation. 
  • The progress bar "Raised So Far" includes the total amount in donations and matching funds that have been awarded to the project.
  • Donations will be matched until June 1st, 2017, or until the $1,500 in match funding has been applied to the project, whichever comes first. 

 

  • Lee's Summit Downtown Movie Night

    Downtown Movie Nights

    Downtown Lee’s Summit is hoping to host 3 outdoor movie nights this summer. The money raised will help purchase the supplies to start the event. We need the community’s help to make movie nights possible!

    NEEDS: $0 of 5,185 + Volunteers
  • Dark storefronts- Meridian Street

    Light Up New London!

    "Light up New London!" will create a positive perception of downtown New London by working with store owners and property owners to install LED lights inside storefront windows.

    NEEDS: $0 of 3,415 + Volunteers
  • Picture of the old wall that is unsound.

    I Heart Heflin Music Park Mural

    The I Heart Heflin Music Park Mural will create an interactive area to welcome citzens and visitors to this new gathering space in the central Main Street area known as I Heart Heflin Music Park.

    NEEDS: $0 of 9,050

  • Tulotoma Snail Trail

    The Tulotoma Snail Trail will be the primary placemaking piece in a series of art history sculptures, murals and storytelling stations to help revitalize and improve the downtown Wetumpka experience.

    NEEDS: $0 of 11,000 + Volunteers

  • SE 1st St. Parking Lot Tree Replacement

    We will place nine non-fruiting trees with root barriers and an irrigation system along the parking lot on SE 1st St. and Dorion, across the street from the Wells Fargo drive through ATM.

    NEEDS: $0 of 3,125

  • Bandon's Public Parklet Project

    Bandon is already the best city on the coast, but what could make it even better? Parklets!

    NEEDS: $0 of 3,125 + Volunteers
  • East Lake Logo Wall

    East Lake Station Courtyard

    East Lake is creating a community gathering space in its image - Vibrant, Eclectic and Inclusive - and we need your help!

    NEEDS: $0 of 846
  • This fire in downtown Moberly has deprived the community of one of its most historic buildings.

    Main Street Moberly Legacy Park

    We will use community members' efforts, donated building materials and supplies, and local expertise to create a beatiful, useable gathering space for historic downtown Moberly.

    NEEDS: $0 of 1,960 + Volunteers
  • Limestone County, AL Courthouse

    Sit a "Spell" on Our Front Porch

    We will place rocking chairs around downtown to encourage visitors to Sit a 'Spell and enjoy what our downtown has to offer. 

    NEEDS: $0 of 3,125 + Volunteers
  • Higganum Mucket

    Bringing Higganum Muckets to Life

    Join us in memorializing the mucket, a strange and elusive fish that only resides in Higganum waters, by creating statues to be placed at landmarks locations within our Village. 

    NEEDS: $0 of 3,160
  • A design mock up or our parklet

    Lewistown Parklet

    The project involves the design, construction, and placement of a parklet within the Central Business District of downtown Lewistown, Montana. Installed within one, or possibly two, parallel parking spaces.

    NEEDS: $0 of 3,050
  • Image of a possible exterior paint scheme for the Fabrication Studios.

    Operation Phoenix Rising

    Enriching the Uptown Butte community with greater access to interdisciplinary education, sustainable food resources, small business incubation & public art production.

    NEEDS: $0 of 4,920 + Volunteers