FINANCIAL TOOLS
ACTIVATION &
BEAUTIFICATION
CARE
GRANT
FINANCIAL TOOLS
ACTIVATION &
BEAUTIFICATION
CARE
GRANT
"Finding Tomorrow" from the Mending Walls public art project.
Richmond's Activation and Beautification CARE (ABC) grants provide funds to activate and beautify CARE areas to encourage revitalization and rehabilitation, and improve the environment for retail, service, and other businesses.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Neighborhood, civic, and business associations, non-profits, foundations, and similar groups. The applicant group does not need to be based in a designated CARE area.
The applicant must be registered with the Virginia State Corporation Commission and must be current on all required City taxes.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
Projects that activate, beautify, and improve the commercial environment and the vibrancy of CARE areas. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Murals
- Window displays in vacant spaces
- Decorative or pedestrian-scale lighting improvements
- Public-facing art installations
- Pop-up concepts
- Building wraps
- Landscaping and greenscaping improvements
- Exterior building cleaning and cosmetic façade improvements
- Other activation and beautification efforts that are visible from the public right-of-way
AWARD INFORMATION
Grant awards will be evaluated based on project scope and alignment with program goals, CARE area impact and stakeholder support, execution viability and timelines, applicant experience and capacity, and fund availability. up to the following maximums:
- The program provides grants of up to $25,000
- The program provides up to an additional $25,000 if an applicant has a dollar-for-dollar matching source.
- Maximum award is $50,000.
Prior to the grant award, selected applications will receive “Conditional Concept Approval,” to indicate that their project, should it receive all necessary state and local regulatory approvals (i.e., safety, health, permitting, zoning, etc.) and sign a performance agreement, will be awarded a grant. The City will schedule a “Concept Path Meeting” to discuss approvals needed and help the applicant through processes.
HOW TO APPLY
- Applications will open at 12 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, May 1, 2026, and close at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026.
- There will be a virtual program info session held during the week of April 27 to answer questions; additional information forthcoming.
- Economic Development staff will be available to answer application questions during the application period on a one-on-one basis.
- Application will be available online and linked directly from this webpage.
- Materials needed to apply include, but are not limited to, detailed project description, expected impact, implementation timeline, project financials (include matching funds if applicable), letters of support from relevant business, neighborhood, civic, and community stakeholders, proof that the organization is in good standing with Commonwealth and Virginia (current SCC registration, business license), information on the background, qualifications, and experience of the applicant.
Interested in growing your business in Richmond, Virginia?
Reach out to Richmond Economic Development.
