Love your Block mini-grants
Through our mini-grants, we help transform physical landscapes with social programs that highlight the culture of a community.
If you have you have a beautification idea that fits the goal of Love Your Block, we encourage you to apply for a mini-grant. Our applications are currently closed.
Have questions? Contact:
Room 805
Boston, MA 02201
2020 mini-grant winners
Join us is congratulating the 2020 Love Your Block Winners!
West End/ Downtown: Arrow Street- Enhance the Haymarket Farmers Market by designing a new fencing for the current pallet that will have a dual purpose
- Storage for the vendors and a living wall for the community
- Bringing a fall festival to Chandler Pond
- Allow residents to learn about the pond
- Build community while engaging in fun activities and entertainment
- Build a community living wall for its residents
- Educate the residents about the need for good air quality (current air quality is poor due to the proximity of Logan Airport)
- Turn overgrown and debris-filled lots into community gardens and activity centers for residents
- Enhance the vision and expand on the late community resident "Saida's" community garden
- Paint crosswalk murals and electrical boxes paintings throughout the streets and neighborhoods of Mattapan
Tiered mini-grant awards
| AWARD AMOUNT | ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|
| Up to $3,500 | For proposed projects in partnership, having one or more sponsors not including Love Your Block. |
| Up to $1,250 | For proposals that would like to start a new Love Your Block project. |
| $700 | For proposals that would like to continue improving an established neighborhood project. |
| $300 | For previous grant recipients that would like to build on to a previous Love Your Block project. |
Project examples: before and after photos
Project examplesThe Waldren Road Community Garden in Roxbury was a Love Your Block project in the 2015-2016 year. The Wardman/Walnut-Washington Community Working group was awarded the mini-grant. Over 40 people came out to participate and engage with their families and neighbors.
The Yarn Bombing in Dorchester was a Love Your Block project in the 2015-2016 year. The VOICES group was awarded the mini-grant. They engaged the community in discussions around domestic violence while creating this temporary art installation.
The Ripley Road Park in Dorchester was a Love Your Block project in the 2015-2016 year. The Four Corners Art Committee was awarded the mini-grant. They were able to paint benches, plant new perennials, and remove a dangerous fence.
The Shangri-La Rock Garden in Mattapan was a Love Your Block project in the 2015-2016 year. The Shangri-La Community Garden Group was awarded the mini-grant. The community was able to get together to remove blight from a plot of land in the middle of Orlando Street.
The Egleston Square project in Roxbury was a Love Your Block project in the 2015-2016 year. The Egleston Square Main Street group was awarded the mini-grant. They were able to do an improvement project in the park. This included planting perennials and building a mini free library.
To engage Mattapan residents with Love Your Block for the 2016-2017 year, our team did a demonstration project to spread awareness. Together with local community organizations and service days, we were able to paint the wall next to the Mildred Avenue Community Center. It went from a dark uninviting place next to a playground to a painted work of art.
After receiving a Love Your Block mini-grant, Curtis Guild was able to bring an edible garden to life. The amazing garden acts as a source of learning for the students and also looks and smells delicious.
After receiving a Love Your Block mini-grant, Eastie Farm was able to install rain barrels. These amazing barrels take runoff from the roof of two adjacent homes. This helps prevent erosion while supplying the garden with a much needed water source.
As an already established community garden, Woolson Street used a spring 2017 mini-grant to add hand-painted benches. They also created a beautiful mural for their space. This mural highlights the culture while adding vibrancy to the neighborhood.
