Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for the Special Olympics Michigan and Treetops Collective Public Placemaking in Grand Rapids

$50,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. – Two powerhouse community organizations in Grand Rapids, Special Olympics Michigan and Treetops Collective, will receive large-scale art installations at their home bases and accompanying community events based around inclusion and celebration. This effort will be completed through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and Lions & Rabbits Center for the Arts announced today, which is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. 

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by November 11, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/GRbelonging. 

“Public art projects that link together community partners and inclusion efforts are critical to meaningful placemaking,” said MEDC Regional Prosperity Managing Director Paula Holtz. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.” 

The two large-scale works of art will be designed by artists Christina Hutton and Sasha Primo, and will come to life through several Community Paint-by-Numbers events. The artist sketches the design on the wall, and then anyone from the community can grab a brush and help fill in the colors. It is a true community effort and a chance for everyone to leave their mark. 

Located off Division and Delaware in the Grandville Avenue District, Treetops Collective will be hosting a Paint-By-Numbers event that will include a pop-up creative market with diverse artists and food vendors serving up arts and crafts and flavors from around the world. Visitors and participants will gather to listen to the cultural stories shared on stage each hour, and explore Treetops' newly opened cafe and retail store. 

At the Special Olympics Michigan site, the mural on the Unified Sports and Inclusion Center will serve as a triumphant finishing touch on the construction of the world's largest Special Olympics facility. During this Community Paint-by-Numbers event, athletes will contribute their own brushstrokes to a mural that will stand as a powerful celebration of all they have achieved and all that is yet to come in this space built for them to shine. 

"Through partnerships like Patronicity and the MEDC, we can invest in the transformative power of art and community to build a place of welcome for all,” said Hannah Berry, Executive Director of Lions & Rabbits CFA. “Your donation helps create spaces where every individual—from SOMI athletes to Treetops Collective families—feels seen, celebrated, and empowered to grow alongside their community."  

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League and Patronicity, in which local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan. 

“Communities thrive when leaders provide opportunities to bring people together with purpose,” said Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League. “This project will invite members of the Grand Rapids community to embrace and celebrate one another, while also creating art to inspire others.”  

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of September 25, 2024, MEDC has provided more than $13.2 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 392 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $15 million raised from 72,946 individual donors. Communities have a 97 percent success rate in achieving their goals and earning matching funds. 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.