City announces Block Challenge Grant 2024

The city of Des Moines has announced details for the Block Challenge Grant 2024. Since 2001, the Block Challenge Grant has awarded $1.1 million in matching funds to help more than 600 households complete a wide range of exterior home improvement projects. This year, the city has allocated funds for approximately ten more teams ranging from five to nineteen households each.

Participating households identify their own projects and then receive matching funds up to 50% of their project costs. For teams of between 5 and 9 households, the grants are capped at $1,000. Teams of between 10 and 19 households are eligible for up to $2,500 each.

Last year, the Lower Beaver Neighborhood fielded its first BCG team, Team Busy Beavers. Eighteen households participated, receiving $40,034.91 in matching funds. Counting the residents’ investment, the total impact on our neighborhood was more than $185,000 in home improvements.

More information about the Block Challenge Grant is available on the city’s website. Additionally, the program’s coordinator, Heather Tamminga, will be at the LBNA’s February 19 meeting to discuss the program. She will be joined by representatives of the Neighborhood Finance Corporation, who will share information about NFC’s complementary programs.

Applications for this year’s BCG open May 1, 2024, at 9:00 am.