16 Love Your Block Grants in Hartford Total $165,000

The City of Hartford and the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving have announced that 16 community and resident led projects have received support as a part of the Love Your Block (LYB) initiative.

This is the sixth year that LYB has offered grant opportunities that bring together city leaders and local residents to revitalize neighborhoods one block at a time.

This year, the program received nearly 30 requests from nonprofits, faith organizations, Neighborhood Revitalization Zones (NRZs), and residents looking to beautify their community and create a sense of unity. Grants recipients were chosen by a panel of Hartford residents, city staff members, as well as Hartford Foundation staff.

From the restoration of a basketball court and labyrinth to painted murals, new landscaping and community gardening, each organization has practical ideas that correspond with neighborhood and city plans, and 16 of them were awarded grants to begin their community projects. Twelve projects received Hartford Foundation community grant awards totaling $155,580 over one year. The four, $2,500 Hartford Foundation resident grant projects will be funded through a pass-through grant to Hartford Next.

"The Love Your Block initiative embodies the spirit of Hartford, empowering our residents to lead the transformation of their own neighborhoods, one block at a time," said Mayor Arunan Arulampalam.

Grant recipients of $2,500 to $25,000 include the Center for Children’s Advocacy, Classical Magnet School, Connecticut League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, Friends of Goodwin Park, Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, Lawson Chapel/Urban Hop Refuge Church, Maple Avenue Revitalization Group, Pop Hartford Designated Fund, Real Art Ways, Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance, iQuilt Partnership, and The RiseUP Group.  In addition, $2,500 grants were awarded to Resident Grant Project Lead Black Girls Achieve, Resident Grant Project Lead Gloria Jenkins, Resident Grant Project Lead Kamora Herrington, and Resident Grant Project Lead Kathy Evans.  Details on the various projects can be seen here.

"This year, with the generous partnership of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, we are investing over $165,000 into 16 incredible community-led projects that will enhance our green spaces, beautify our public areas, and strengthen the bonds that make our city so unique,” the Mayor indicated.  “These grants are a testament to the creativity and dedication of our community, and I am proud of every grant recipient for taking the lead and working to build a more vibrant and unified Hartford for everyone."

“For the past six years, the Hartford Foundation has proudly partnered with the City of Hartford along with community organizations and local residents as they continue to use their creativity and ingenuity to develop projects to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods,” said Hartford Foundation President and CEO Jay Williams.

Williams noted that “This year’s projects offer numerous examples of the commitment of Hartford residents to revitalize neighborhoods one block at a time, not only connecting residents with one another, but also building a sense of pride. Love Your Block is effective because it recognizes that residents are the most knowledgeable about neighborhood needs and are best equipped to identify beautification activities. Love Your Block ensures that they have the tools and resources they need to make their visions a reality.”