2026 Small Project Community Grant Application (SPD)

  • 2026 Small Project Community Grant Application

  • The Small Project Design advisory committee is pleased to announce the 2026 Small Project Design Knowledge Community Grant. The purpose of this grant is to provide financial support for nonprofits working with architects on community-based projects. Along with supporting the work of nonprofits, we want to demonstrate the value of hiring an architecture firm (and AIA member) for community projects, by helping cover some of the costs associated with hiring a design team.

    Applications for this grant may be submitted by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or by an AIA member in conjunction with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Please review the full grant outline and requirements before submitting your application. 

    Click here to access a pdf of the application before submitting online.

    All fields below are required unless marked otherwise. Incomplete submissions may be submitted--you will be sent an email with a link to edit the submission. At the close of the submission period, only complete applications will be considered. For any questions, please contact spd@aia.org.

  • Submitter Information

    Please provide the information of the application submitter. If there are questions regarding your submission, we may contact you via the information below. If desired, the submitter may be different from those who would manage the grant if awarded.
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.

  • Architecture Team

  • Nonprofit Organization

    Must be a 501(c)(3)
  • 0/500
  • Browse Files
    Drag and drop files here
    Choose a file
    Cancelof

  • The Project

  • Please provide a short description of the proposed project (500 words maximum). In your description, include:

    • Who will benefit from this project?
    • How will working with an architecture team enhance the project and support your goals?
    • How does your project address sustainability (environmental, social, and/or economic)?
  • 0/500

  •  

     

    Please upload one PDF to complete your application. This PDF must be a single file no larger than 10MB and no more than six (6) total pages.

    In your PDF, please make sure you include a 1-page outline of the full project financing. 

    • What is the design budget?
    • What is the construction budget?
    • Are you receiving funds from other grants or donations?
    • Does the nonprofit organization have matching funds dedicated to the design fees?
    • What is the total amount of the matching funds?

    For the other pages, please include any relevant images of the project, site plan, site photographs, design concept sketches or renderings, or any additional graphics that can help describe the project and its benefit to the surrounding community, etc.

  • Browse Files
    Drag and drop files here
    Choose a file
    Cancelof

  • The submitter will receive an email with a link to edit this submission. Submissions may be completed or updated until the application deadline of April 17, 2026 at 5pm ET. Grant recipients will be notified in early May 2026.

    The architecture firm and the nonprofit organization are bound by the details of their submission and the scope of the project may not substantially change after the grant has been awarded to the selected submitter. Grant recipients who present a scope change at the time of being awarded a grant will have their grant application and new project scope reviewed by the jury for compliance of the terms and mission of the original grant award. The grant jury reserves the right to award, amend the award amount, or rescind the original grant amount after the review.

    The contract between the architecture team and the nonprofit must be executed within six months of being awarded the grant. 

  • Should be Empty: