The City of Duluth received a Cities of Service Love Your Block grant to build relationships between residents and the city to improve neighborhoods. The aim is to foster collaborative caretaking of public spaces and of neighbors.
Donor Name: City of Duluth
State: Minnesota
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park and Central Hillside
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/01/2022
Size of the Grant: up to $1,500
Details:
In 2022, mini-grants of up to $1,500 are available for resident-led volunteer efforts. The proposed projects must contribute to eliminating blight, building neighbor relationships, and improving the health and safety of people and environment in Lincoln Park and/or Central Hillside.
What is blight? A blighted space is something that has not been cared for and is no longer benefiting the community. This can look like a dumping ground for litter or waste, a building that is in poor condition, a vacant and/or overgrown lot, or a public space that is in disrepair. Love Your Block projects that address blight could look like, but are not limited to, neighborhood clean ups (e.g. trash pick-up, trimming overgrown plants), installing public art, gathering to meet neighbors and brainstorm projects, creating solutions to reduce abandoned waste (e.g. couches in vacant lots and greenspaces), or repurposing vacant lots as active community spaces. Approximately 8-10 mini-grants will be awarded in 2022.
Eligibility Criteria
The project leader and grant applicant must be a resident or property owner in Lincoln Park or Central Hillside (including the Downtown Business District from 2nd Street to I-35)
- Proposed project must be located within Lincoln Park or Central Hillside (including the Downtown Business District from 2nd Street to I-35)
- Love Your Block believes in the creativity and collaboration of Duluth residents. These funds support a range of activities as long as they are 1) volunteer led and 2) bring neighbors together to reduce blight.
- Up to $1,500 in mini-grant funds may be requested to support the project
- Funds will be provided via check to the approved project leader after completing a W-9 form with the City of Duluth. Alternatively, the Love Your Block team can purchase needed supplies or services directly prior to the start of the project.
- Project partners or donors such as businesses, non-profit organizations or agencies are encouraged
- Applications require a project leader who can attend the mandatory training/orientation
- Project leaders must recruit at least two neighbor volunteers to assist with the project.
- All project sites will receive a Love Your Block clean-up kit for a day of litter pick-up.
- Project leaders must submit before/during/after photos, participant numbers, and short summary of highlights and lessons learned from the project.
For more information, visit City of Duluth.