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. Want more information? You can download answers to some common questions about the program.
Mini-grant applications will reopen in fall 2018!
These grants will go a long way to help bring residents and communities together and I am excited to see what projects will come from the mini-grants.
Have questions? Contact senior adviser Kaira Fox:
Room 805
Boston, MA 02201
After receiving over sixty applications, we welcome five new groups to the list of amazing Love Your Block projects.
The 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.
| 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. |