Love Your Block
Presented by the City of Little Rock and Bloomberg Philanthropies
What is Love Your Block?
The Love Your Block (LYB) initiative is a grant program that funds resident-led neighborhood revitalization projects in U.S. cities. From transforming vacant lots into community gardens and repairing playground equipment, to removing trash and debris from a public right of way, the program supports cities as it enables residents to design, develop, and deliver programs and projects that improve communities.
Since its founding in 2009, Love Your Block has reached nearly 50,000 community members who have improved nearly 4,000 public spaces – creating nearly 800 art displays, cleaning 102,000 square feet of graffiti, and removing 6.7 million pounds of trash in cities nationwide. A total of 50 U.S. cities across 33 states have received support through the program.
We are inviting you to apply for a Love Your Block Mini-Grant for up to $2000 for community initiatives, projects, and events that will make Little Rock a more beautiful place to live!
You can click on the button below to go directly to the application, or keep reading for details, project ideas, and more.
Focus Areas
Project Areas
Arts & Entertainment
Want to host a poetry night in your community? A neighborhood block party? Projects in arts and entertainment could include hosting free community-oriented workshops to putting on a community play. Let your creative juices flow!
Beautification & Environment
Do you want to keep Little Rock beautiful or improve some of the city's natural spaces? These projects could include restoring lots, litter pick-up parties, community gardens, murals, and more!
Education
Projects could include a community book club, summer learning labs for kids, or anything aimed at educating the public!
Health & Wellness
Want to get your community up and moving? Projects could include community basketball games, marathons and fun-runs, a healthy cooking informational, or anything aimed at improving your neighborhood's health!
Miscellaneous
Thought of something we didn't? The Love Your Block Mini-Grants are open to ANY project that improves your community, so feel free to apply!
Eligibility & Requirements
Mini-Grant Evaluation Rubric
Criteria | Description | Scoring |
|---|---|---|
Problem Statement | How well does the proposed project fit within the given problem statement? | 0-20 |
Community Benefit | How much will this project benefit the surrounding community? Will the listed benefits have a long-term impact? | 0-20 |
Neighborhood Improvement | What kind of impact will this project have on the neighborhood? Is is a long-term impact? | 0-20 |
Relationship Building | How likely is this project to strengthen relationships between the project's community and City Hall, other government agencies, or other neighborhoods in the area? | 0-20 |
Budget Rationale | How reasonable does the provided budget seem? Are there any discrepancies that need to be addressed before the final decision? | 0-10 |
Project Feasibility | How likely is this project to be successful? Does the application demonstrate strong planning? | 0-10 |
Timeline
Milestone | Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
Application Opens | The Love Your Block mini-grant application officially opens to the public | March 26, 2025 |
Informational Webinar | Designed to help applicants navigate the application process and for the general public to learn more about the LYB Mini-Grant initiative | April 3, 2025 |
Informational Webinar | Designed to help applicants navigate the application process and for the general public to learn more about the LYB Mini-Grant initiative | April 7, 2025 |
Application Closes | All applications and additional materials must be submitted before midnight | April 11, 2025 |
Award Announcements | Applicants learn if their project was selected to receive a grant as well as the final award amount | April 22, 2025 |
Project Completion | The final day of project implementation, where all projects are fully implemented and completed | August 31, 2025 |
Final Report Deadline | All final reporting, photos, and supplementary materials provided | September 8, 2025 |
Upcoming Events
Informational Webinar - Thursday, April 3, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
Come learn about the Love Your Block Mini-Grant initiative, including what kinds of projects we are looking for, as well as information about the application process. There will also be a chance for participants to ask questions about the program, get feedback on project ideas, and more.
Informational Webinar - Monday, April 7, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
Come learn about the Love Your Block Mini-Grant initiative, including what kinds of projects we are looking for, as well as information about the application process. There will also be a chance for participants to ask questions about the program, get feedback on project ideas, and more.
FAQs
- Do I have to be a homeowner to apply for a mini-grant?
No! Any resident can feel free to apply, but if the project location is on private property, then the owner of the property MUST give permission before your project is awarded any funding.
2. How will funds be dispersed?
Applicants must be able to supply costs upfront. The City will grant out funding up to $2,000 to support materials and other items that you can provide a receipt for. The City can NOT fund labor.
3. What if my project budget exceeds $2,000?
You are free to use additional funding to support a project that has a budget over $2,000. You may be asked how you intend to support the remainder of the budget before award decisions are made.
4. Can I apply more than once?
You are free to apply with as many project ideas as you have. Please complete a separate application for each individual project.
5. Is this the same program as the Housing & Neighborhood Programs' Love Your Block?
No! Despite the name being the same, this program is separate from HNP, and you are free to apply for funding from both programs, if you meet the eligibility requirements.
