The City of Evanston, in collaboration with the Love Your Block Steering Group, has launched the Love Your Block Grant Program to support resident-driven neighborhood improvement projects. This initiative seeks to foster stronger connections between community members and city leaders while enhancing the livability of neighborhoods in the designated target areas. The program encourages civic engagement by allowing residents to lead projects that promote unity and have a direct positive impact on their surroundings. Applications for this mini-grant program are now open, with funding available for up to $2,000 per project.

The Love Your Block initiative aims to empower Evanston residents by providing resources to implement projects that contribute to a safer, more vibrant, and sustainable community. The program is focused on supporting efforts that reflect the unique identity of Evanston while addressing local concerns. Eligible projects must take place within the target areas of the 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 9th Wards. Funding will be awarded to projects that align with the program’s objectives and can be completed by August 31, 2025.

To qualify for funding, applicants must be Evanston residents or neighborhood groups proposing projects within the designated wards. All projects must be designed to enhance community cohesion, demonstrate a positive impact, and adhere to a budget that does not exceed the $2,000 funding limit. Additionally, recipients must agree to collect and document project data and outcomes as part of the grant requirements. Applications are available in both English and Spanish and can be submitted online or in paper format at designated community centers.

The Love Your Block Grant Program is part of a broader national initiative supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies and administered by the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University. The program has been instrumental in mobilizing local governments to work directly with residents in solving community challenges. Evanston is one of 16 U.S. cities selected to receive a total of $100,000 in Love Your Block funding between 2024 and 2026, with $50,000 allocated per year.

Applications for the 2025 grant cycle are currently open and will be accepted until Friday, March 7, 2025. Community members who wish to participate in proposed projects can also sign up to volunteer. Interested individuals can access more details and application materials at cityofevanston.org/loveyourblock or visit designated community centers for paper applications.