Love Your Block Evanston

Love Your Block

The Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University has announced that the City of Evanston will receive a $100,000 ($50,000 per year) Love Your Block grant to fund resident-led neighborhood revitalization projects.

As one of 16 newly selected U.S. cities, Evanston will join the largest cohort in the history of the Love Your Block program. The Evanston Love Your Block initiative will support resident-driven projects and make it easier for residents to connect with each other, City leaders, and resources.

The scoring rubric will serve as a guide for evaluating applications.

Love Your Block Project Examples

Get Involved

Community members interested in volunteering for proposed projects can sign up online in English or Spanish.
Sign the volunteer release and waiver of liability and confidentiality form.

2025 Love Your Block Recap

Love Your Block Evanston Mission Statement

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.

PDF -Love Your Block Mini-grant Project Winners

Love Your Block Mini-grant Project Winners

2nd Ward

Project Description	Awarded Amount
The project involves removing weed trees that are leaning out over the parkway and the street. After removing the weed trees, a perennial bed will be created that will include another tree.	$1,400
The project is to clean the trash, overgrown vegetation, and other debris in the alley on the north side of the 1800 block of Lake St.	$1,300
To support an annual Greenwood Street Party—a cherished neighborhood tradition where residents come together for a potluck celebration and kids enjoy games and activities before the new school year begins."	$2,000
The project focuses on enhancing the front yard landscaping of a home built by the Geometry in Construction program at Evanston Township High School (ETHS), with low-maintenance landscaping options that are aesthetically pleasing and easy for the future homeowners to maintain.	$2,000
Exterior home improvement - This project involves leveling my backyard and improving access to my garage	$2,000
This project is to make pollinators habitat on the corner of our property and add a free public library for a free neighborhood book exchange.	$2,000
Exterior home improvement - This project involves regraveling the walkway in the alley, installing a swing set in the front yard for children to enjoy, and adding a pergola in the backyard to provide shade and comfort.	$2,000
Exterior home improvement - This project involves repairing a crumbling parking pad, potentially replacing an aging storage shed, and upgrading exterior lighting.	$1300
The project involves making repairs to a fence that is missing panels and pickets which detracts from its appearance. If funding allows, the project would also include replacing storm doors.	$800

5th Ward

Project Description	Awarded Amount
The Toddler Adventure Camp is a three-month community-based program designed to provide a safe, inclusive, and nurturing space for families of color. This initiative focuses on early childhood development by fostering foundational, functional, and independent life skills in toddlers. Through engaging activities that emphasize collaboration, teamwork, and community building, the camp aims to create a lasting positive impact on participants and the broader community.	$2000
This project would aim to improve public space by recreating a native habitat that is sustainable without extensive maintenance and providing natural beautification in Twiggs Park.	$2000
This initiative promotes youth leadership by pairing older teens with younger children (ages 7–13) in a mentorship-focused basketball program. Through coaching and guidance, older youth will develop leadership skills while supporting the growth and confidence of their younger peers."	$2,000
A vibrant community block party held in the park, bringing neighbors together to celebrate, connect, and support one another. The event includes tending to our community garden, sharing meals, playing games, uplifting our youth, honoring our seniors, and distributing essential items such as groceries, cleaning supplies, and gift cards to those in need.	$2,000
Annual Youth Explosion Conference, the last weekend of June, to empowerment workshops, feeding the youth at the conference, transportation to the outing and funds for a potential outing.	$1500
This project involves making a raised Garden Beds (Flowers and Produce); decorating around trees with Foliage, Stones, Flowers, and seating and Sidewalk Games (Painted).	$1500
A block party and community club designed to foster unity, strengthen neighborhood bonds, and celebrate our shared love for the community	$1250
The project involves removing the fence in the front of the house and replacing it with more greenery, such as large shrubs. Also Installing a "Little Free Library" with a flower garden around it.	$1250
This project involves Replacing the roof and gutters at the home of an Evanston senior and do a variety of tasks which may include washing windows, and power-washing the home's siding and awnings, stripping and painting her railing and doing a small amount of yard work	$1250
A three-part project that would include: 1) landscaping our torn-up yard at 823 Gaffield for the visual benefit of the whole block; 2) cleaning up the adjacent alley to the north and the railroad tunnel/underpass that is packed with garbage, discarded furniture, broken bottles, and other dangerous/rat-attracting debris; 3)and wrapping up by welcoming our neighbors for refreshments at our recently remodeled group home.	$1,800
This project involves making repairs to a porch	1,000

8th Ward

Project Description	Awarded Amount
To build a community refrigerator and food pantry in the western part of the 8th Ward, likely at the intersection of Dodge and Mulford or Dodge and Howard.	$2000
A block party to promote unity and getting to know each other better with a live band, a bounce house, food and fun!	$1,500
Exterior home improvement - front steps revival.	$1,500
This project aims to engage two high school students (or older) in an entrepreneurial experience focused on landscaping and yard work, providing valuable services to members of our senior community.	$1,000
To repair a community driveway.	$1,000
To repair a community driveway.	$1,000
To repair a community driveway.	$1,000
To repair a community driveway.	$1,000
Revitalize the roundabouts on Florence Avenue with fresh landscaping, including new flowers and possibly adding a decorative structure.	$1000
This project involves tuck pointing of the brick exterior and installing downspouts/ gutters.	$750

9th Ward

Project Description	Awarded Amount
This project will transform an underutilized area of the yard at HOP into a Community Peace Garden and Urban Farm. The initiative involves constructing raised beds using reclaimed lumber to cultivate a diverse array of vegetables, herbs, and pollinator-friendly plants.	$2000

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. The mini-grants are offered specifically for projects that focus on small home improvement (exterior only) and neighborhood events/programming, safety, and beautification in the target area of Evanston’s 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 9th wards. Check the Love Your Block Grant Map to determine your eligibility to participate.

Interested residents, neighborhood groups, and community organizations in the neighborhoods are invited to submit project proposals for a mini-grant with a budget of up to $2,000.

FREQUENTLY ASK QUESTIONS

What is Love Your Block?

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.

What if I need assistance filling out the application?

If you require assistance, please contact Bridget Johnson using this email address: bridgetjohnson@cityofevanston.org.Provide your name and 3 dates and times that you are available to meet for a consultation.

How will Awardees be notified?

Using the contact information that is provided, we will send an email notification to Project Lead of selected proposals. Selected applicants will be invited to accept the LYB mini-grant agreement, and agree to adherence of LYB requirements during project implementation.

Where can projects take place?

The Project must be 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.

Who can apply for the mini-grants?

The Project lead must be an Evanston resident or include 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.

What can the funds be used for?

The project costs, including labor and materials.

Where can I find volunteers or partners?

Ask your neighbors, nonprofits, community organizations and friends to participate. If you need additional help, email bridgetjohnson@cityofevanston.org.

How many grants are available?

The Project must have a budget that does not exceed $2,500. Each Ward is allocated an amount based on the population of the targeted areas of the Wards.

2nd Ward - $14,000

5th Ward - $14,000

8th Ward - $ 9,000

9th Ward -$ 8,000

How do I write a grant proposal? Never written a grant proposal before?

Workshops will be made available. Email: bridgetjohnson@cityofevanston.org

When will projects begin?

April 22, 2026

Who should I contact if I have any questions or need additional information?

Bridget Johnson

Bridgetjohnson@cityofevanston.org

Top Results

All Results

Love Your Block Evanston

Get Involved

Love Your Block Evanston Mission Statement

Love Your Block Mini-grant Project Winners

2nd Ward

8th Ward

9th Ward

Website Notice

Top Results

All Results

Love Your Block Evanston

2026 Love Your Block Application Due March 18

2026 Application Scoring Rubric

Project Examples

Get Involved

Get Involved

2025 Love Your Block Recap

Love Your Block Evanston Mission Statement

Love Your Block Evanston Mission Statement

Love Your Block Mini-Grant Project Winners

Love Your Block Mini-grant Project Winners

2nd Ward

8th Ward

9th Ward

About

Website Notice