The Love Your Block Evanston initiative empowers residents to unite and bring their vision to life for a safer, more vibrant, accessible, and sustainable community that celebrates its unique identity.
Donor Name: City of Evanston
State: Illinois
City: Evanston
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/07/2026
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The City of Evanston is one of just 16 cities across the U.S. selected to receive a $100,000 ($50,000 per year) Love Your Block grant from the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University!
Love Your Block Evanston is a community engagement program that supports resident led improvement projects and makes it easier for residents to connect with City leaders and resources. The mini-grants are offered specifically for projects that focus on small home improvements (exterior, front yard enhancements only), safety, and beautification in Evanston’s 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 9th wards. Check the Love Your Block Grant Map to determine your eligibility to participate.
Funding Information
Interested residents, neighborhood groups, and community organizations are invited to submit project proposals for a mini-grant with a budget ranging from $500 to $2,500.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to qualify for the Love Your Block grant, residents, neighborhood groups, and community organizations must:
- Propose a project that aims to empower residents and strengthen civic pride by fostering greater community unity, visibility, and engagement.
- Propose a project that is located in the target areas of the 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 9th wards. Check the Love Your Block Grant Map to determine your eligibility to participate.
- Propose a budget ranging from $500 to $2,500.
- Included or be an Evanston resident within the targeted areas of the 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 9th wards. Check the Love Your Block Grant Map to determine your eligibility to participate.
- Submit a project that must be completed by August 31.
- Be willing to collect and document project data and results.
- Only one application may be submitted per household/location or project.
- Applicants do not need to own the property to apply (renters are welcome!), but they must be willing to obtain permission from the owner.
- Proposed projects will be reviewed by City staff to assess feasibility.
- Grantees must submit a final report.
- Block parties are not eligible for funding.
- 2025 Love Your Block awardees are not eligible for 2026 funding.
For more information, visit City of Evanston.
