A group of young girls use binoculars at Lincoln Street Art Park and Activi-Tree Learning Center

2025 Public Spaces Community Places Annual Report

Launched in 2014, Public Spaces Community Places is a placemaking crowdgranting program created by the MEDC in partnership with the Michigan Municipal League and Patronicity.

Thriving places help define a community’s economic vitality. From bike trails and pocket parks to public sculpture projects, public spaces contribute to a strong quality of life, help attract and retain talent, and strengthen local
economies. Public Spaces Community Places is dedicated to building vibrant communities.

Launched in 2014, Public Spaces Community Places (PSCP) is a placemaking crowdgranting program created by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in partnership with the Michigan Municipal League (MML) and Patronicity. As the first program of its kind in the country, PSCP has been recognized by the International Economic Development Council for excellence in economic development.

A group of residents cut a red ribbon to open the City of Perry Veteran's Memorial Park Playground. — City of Perry Veteran's Memorial Park Playground

How Public Spaces Community Places Works

The program uses donation-based crowdfunding to generate public support and funding for developing or revitalizing public spaces. The program creates active, well-utilized community places.

Communities, nonprofits, and municipalities are eligible to launch crowdfunding campaigns through Patronicity, a Detroit-based civic crowdfunding platform that administers the program. Patronicity provides one-on-one coaching throughout the campaign process and assists the MEDC with grant management, including project approval, fund disbursement,
and reporting.

Community-led placemaking projects that successfully reach their crowdfunding campaign goal receive a matching grant from the MEDC of up to $50,000, or $75,000 for universally accessible projects.

Since 2014, the MEDC has invested $14 million in public space through the program. The crowdgranting model requires projects to build awareness through community engagement and to earn community support. Projects engage residents in achieving place-based improvements and instill community pride as they invest in creating or preserving local landmarks that will serve their community for years to come.

Explore how Michigan changemakers are transforming Michigan communities in the 2025 Public Spaces Community Places Annual Report.