Programs & Incentives
The GCRA offers a variety of incentive programs designed to encourage neighborhood preservation, economic development, and community partnerships within the district.
Downtown Events Grant Program
Project Manager: Daniel Blumberg
GCRAprograms@gainesvillefl.gov
(352) 393-8208
The Downtown Events Grant Program assists organizations and businesses with up to $5,000 in grant funds to host events within Downtown Gainesville. Events must be held in publicly owned spaces and take place between June 1 through December 31, 2024.
NEW: The initial $50,000 funding for this pilot program has been allocated as of June 13, 2024. Applications can still be submitted, but they may not be funded. This program is under development in coordination with the Downtown Advisory Board.
Community Partnership Grant Program
Project Manager: Daniel Blumberg
GCRAprograms@gainesvillefl.gov
(352) 393-8208
The Community Partnership Grant Program offers up to $5,000 in matching grant funds to assist local community organizations to enable special programming within the GCRA District.
Business Improvement Grant Program
Project Manager: Daniel Blumberg
GCRAprograms@gainesvillefl.gov
(352) 393-8208
Applications for this program are on pause as of March 27, 2024.
The program offers a 50% matching grant, paid as a reimbursement, for eligible improvements to commercial building exteriors. This program is offered district-wide. GCRA District Map
Housing Programs
Project Manager: Leslee Highsmith-Rogers
(352) 393-8862
GCRAprograms@gainesvillefl.gov
The GCRA developed five programs that address a variety of housing-related needs within the district. All of the City’s housing-related programs are being managed by the City of Gainesville’s Housing and Community Development Division.
My Neighborhood Program
The program offers up to $35,000 towards the purchase of a vacant developable lot or a residential home in an eligible neighborhood. New home purchases within the Fifth Avenue or Pleasant Street neighborhoods qualify for up to $50,000 of assistance. To be eligible, recipients must have lived in a program neighborhood for at least three years before 2011. The purpose of the program is to encourage strong community connections by incentivizing long-term homeownership within neighborhoods. The eligible neighborhoods are Cedar Grove II, Greater Duval, Fifth Avenue, North Lincoln Heights, Pleasant Street, Porters, Springhill, Sugarhill, and Heartwood (formerly Kennedy Homes). Map of Eligible Neighborhoods