Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
A state program that married crowdfunding with quality of place projects is empowering Indiana cities and towns to undertake unique projects for the betterment of their communities.
The Indiana Housing and Community Development’s CreatINg Places rolled out in 2016. CreatINg Places partners with Patronicity, which hosts websites that groups use to fundraise. Meagan Heber, with CreatINg Places, and Bridget Anderson, a Patronicity project coach, guide and support the groups to reach their goals.
In the years since the crowdfunding program began, Indiana communities have built playgrounds, community gardens, highlighted local history and scenery, added public art and improved their trails, parks and recreation spaces.
Nine campaigns in the Radius region have been successful, including three in the last few months. A new shelter house at Hindostan Falls in Martin County, restoration of a boxcar in Salem and the lighting of the Milltown bridge were all successful campaigns. In 2017, the Bedford Parks Department set a goal of $25,000 and raised $30,900 to create a community garden that has 60 garden plots, tool shed, walking path, shelter house and playground, benefiting residents of all ages.
Nonprofits in Washington have funded three projects via CreatINg Places. One of the projects was an all-inclusive playground at Longfellow Park. Comforting Hearts, which began as a support group for families of children with special needs, raised $50,000, which was equally matched, to build an accessible playground, the first of its kind in Washington.
Other projects include PLAYoli playground in Paoli and a lakefront playground and zipline at West Boggs Park.
Meagan Heber, Placemaking and Environmental Review Manager at the IHCDA, said CreatINg Places started slowly, with between 10 and 20 campaigns a year. In 2023, 50 campaigns were started. CreatINg Places campaigns have an incredible 97% success rate.
“It has just exploded,” she said of the program. “We are close to hitting 250 successful campaigns since 2016.”
Campaign goals can range from $5,000 to $50,000 and are matched dollar for dollar if the campaign reaches its goal. The group raising funds works with Anderson at Patronicity to create a website with details and photos of the project.
“There’s been a really positive response to the program,” Heber said. “Campaigns can be small or large. We help contribute to high impact, large projects and small ones that jump start quality of place investments.”
CreatINg Places is funded with state development funds the IHCDA receives. Initially funded with $1 million for the matching funds, Heber said the program now funds about $3 million in project matches a year.
Even more remarkable is the amount of funds communities are raising. Communities like Milltown in Crawford County and Yeoman near Lafayette, each with fewer than 1,000 residents, have been able to leverage support for projects costing thousands. Often, projects receive support from former residents who grew up in a town and want to see their hometown thrive.
“The magic behind this is we’re empowering communities to see the power they have. People feel like they made something happen in their community and the community is deciding what they want,” Heber added.
Acceptance of crowdfunding
Crowdfunding was uncharted territory for many groups in the beginning, Heber said, but campaign organizers are finding that they can reach a broad array of supporters.
“The concept of crowdfunding has also become more understood. It is fundraising but with this innovative piece and it’s a great storytelling tool,” she said. “Sometimes groups are nervous and then they are surprised when so many people want to come along with them and support their project.”
Heber has been in her role about two years and said she continues to be impressed with the scope of projects.
“I definitely feel like I have one of the coolest jobs imaginable, not only to see all these cool projects, but how even small projects have a high impact on communities,” Heber said.
2024 looks to be another strong year with a robust pipeline of groups ready to launch campaigns, Heber said.
CreatINg Places also has a program for youth. My Community, My Vision is a youth-driven placemaking partnership between the IHCDA and Patronicity with a vision for connecting young people in Indiana to the places they live and allowing them the opportunity to make a positive impact in their communities.
CreatINg Places eligibility
The CreatINg Places program is available to projects located in Indiana communities or neighborhoods which contain a traditional downtown or traditional neighborhood commercial node. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and Local Units of Government are eligible to apply.
Projects may include but are not limited to:
- Streetscape beautification & walkability projects
- Playgrounds (preferences for inclusive and accessible spaces with clear signage about public use)
- Public plaza development/activation
- Access to public amenities (river walks, canoe livery/launches, pier enhancements, etc.)
- Farmer’s markets, community kitchens, maker’s and incubator spaces, or other pop-up retail)
- Park creation or improvements
- Bike & pedestrian pathways
- Community theater rehabilitation (community or non-profit)
- Public space enhancements (wayfinding signage, public Wi-Fi, local branding, interactive educational components, etc.)
- Event implementation
- Other projects that activate public space or a community place may be proposed and considered on a case-by-case basis
Grant dollars, guidelines
Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should they successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity.com. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.
Click here for more information.
For more information about CreatINg Places, email Meagan Heber at [email protected] or Bridget Anderson at [email protected].