City Celebrates First Love Your Block Program

In 2024, Evanston was selected as one of just 16 cities nationwide to receive the Love Your Block grant, administered by the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University. Love Your Block supports cities in empowering residents to lead public space improvements while strengthening trust and partnership between communities and local government. Evanston was awarded $100,000 in funding, distributed as $50,000 per year over two years, to support neighborhood-based projects. In addition to grant funding, the City received technical assistance, civic engagement training, and support from a dedicated AmeriCorps VISTA.

First-Round Results & Community Impact

In its first grant cycle, the program energized residents and neighborhood groups in the 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 9th Wards by offering grants of up to $2,000 to turn local ideas into projects that build cleaner, stronger, and more connected neighborhoods. Community response exceeded expectations, with 118 applications submitted. Of these, 32 projects were selected for funding.

Projects addressed a range of community priorities, from neighborhood beautification and maintenance to community-building events and outreach that brought neighbors together and activated shared spaces. Each project represents a small but meaningful step toward stronger, more connected neighborhoods. View the Year One Impact Report. 

Next Phases of Love Your Block

Planning for the final round of Love Your Block funding is underway. Applications for the 2026 grant cycle are anticipated to open on February 14. Information will be available at cityofevanston.org/loveyourblock, and residents are encouraged to apply.

City staff are seeking residents to serve on the Love Your Block Grant Steering Committee, which will help guide program priorities and allocate remaining grant funds. The City is also inviting volunteers who are interested in supporting grant recipients with project implementation and community engagement efforts. Those interested can sign up to participate.

The City has also received additional funding to hire two part-time community members to serve as Love Your Block Fellows. These fellows will support outreach, project implementation, and community engagement during the 2026 cycle. Applications for these paid positions are now open.

Additional information, application materials, and program updates will be available on the City’s website and at local community centers.