In cities across the United States, residents and community members can secure funding for their neighborhood improvement ideas – whether they range from removing trash and debris to creating or improving public spaces like playgrounds and community gardens. The newest Love Your Block program cities have opened mini-grant applications to support projects that contribute to stronger, safer, and more connected neighborhoods.
Love Your Block Spring Mini-Grant Opportunities
Residents, organizations, and groups in the following cities and neighborhoods are encouraged to submit their ideas as applications for mini-grant funding support of up to $2,000 per project. This Spring’s eligible cities and neighborhoods include:
Cities
- Allentown, PA
- Baltimore, MD
- Charleston, SC
- Columbia, MO
- Dallas, TX
- Durham, NC
- Evanston, IL
- Fall River, MA
- Gary, IN
- Louisville, KY
- Port St. Lucie, FL
- Reno, NV
- San Bernardino, CA
Later this Spring, Little Rock, AR, Long Beach, CA, and Rapid City, SD, will also launch mini-grant applications for their local Love Your Block programs.
What are Love Your Block Mini-Grants?
The Love Your Block mini-grant competition supports local initiatives that address key community needs – whether it’s transforming vacant lots, aiding homeowners with repairs, expanding community gardens, or improving neighborhood safety. Each participating city sets its own priorities, but all share the common goal of empowering residents to drive meaningful change in their communities.
Beyond funding community-led projects, Love Your Block mini-grants serve as catalysts for long-term civic engagement and neighborhood transformation. By empowering residents to lead local solutions, cities are building stronger, more connected communities that their residents are proud to call home.
If your city is participating in the 2024-2026 Love Your Block program, now is the time to get involved, take action, and join a movement shaping the future of urban neighborhoods – one block at a time.
Get Involved: How Residents Can Apply
If you live in one of the 2024-2026 Love Your Block cities, the links above will connect you to information about getting involved. Note: application deadlines vary among cities, with the first deadline for submission occurring in March 2025.
Cities are looking for proposals that align with their local priorities and make a meaningful impact on residents.
To learn more about how to apply, visit your city’s official website or follow your city government’s social media pages for updates on the application process.
To follow progress and updates in these cities, follow @publicinno on social media and sign up to receive innovation news from the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University.
What Is Love Your Block?
The Love Your Block program, launched in 2009, is a model for community engagement and urban revitalization. It helps cities enhance public spaces and strengthen social networks by funding resident-led projects, including transforming vacant lots, expanding urban agriculture, improving affordable housing, beautifying public spaces, and enhancing community safety.
Participating cities benefit from funding for mini-grants and additional resources, including a dedicated Love Your Block Fellow for resident engagement and an AmeriCorps VISTA member for volunteer recruitment. Support also comes from the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, ensuring the long-term success of initiatives. By investing in local solutions, Love Your Block helps cities meet the needs of their communities.
