Love Your Block Grant Applications Open for Evanston Residents

The program offers mini-grants to improve neighborhoods and public spaces.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Evanston residents are invited to apply for the second round of Love Your Block grant funding. The program offers grants ranging from $500 to $2,500 to support residents and community groups in the 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 9th Wards in improving their neighborhoods and public spaces. Applications must be submitted by March 7, and winners will be selected and notified in April.

Why it matters

The Love Your Block program aims to empower residents to enhance their communities through hands-on projects, strengthening neighborhood connections and civic engagement. This collaboration between the city and the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University seeks to build stronger, more vibrant neighborhoods.

The details

The Love Your Block program funds resident-led revitalization projects, such as transforming vacant lots into community gardens or repairing playground equipment. In the first cycle of the program in 2025, 32 initiatives were funded out of 118 applications, focusing on strengthening neighborhood connections and enhancing shared spaces.

  • Applications for the mini-grants will open on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
  • Applications must be submitted by March 7, 2026.
  • Winners will be selected and notified in April 2026.

The players

Daniel Biss

The mayor of Evanston, who is excited to support another year of the Love Your Block program.

Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University

The organization that is collaborating with the city of Evanston to bring the Love Your Block program to the community.

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What they’re saying

“I'm excited to support another year of the Love Your Block program, empowering residents to improve public spaces and strengthen neighborhood connections.”

— Daniel Biss, Mayor (Patch)

What’s next

Residents interested in applying or learning more about the program should visit cityofevanston.org/loveyourblock.

The takeaway

The Love Your Block program demonstrates Evanston's commitment to empowering residents and building stronger, more vibrant neighborhoods through community-driven revitalization projects. By providing mini-grants and fostering collaboration between the city and its residents, the program aims to enhance shared public spaces and strengthen social cohesion.