2020-2022 Mini-Grant Projects

Beginning in 2021, the Love Your Block Mini-Grant Program has been funded through a partnership between the Community Services Department and the City Manager's Office, Economic Development.

A resolution was approved by City Council on December 17, 2019, approving a solid waste Franchise Fee adjustment of a 7.5 percent increase to develop I Heart Richmond. The funding can be used for: 1) Compliance and enforcement of local and state solid waste reduction and recycling laws; 2) Prevention of litter and blight; and 3) Improving overall environmental quality and health. 

LYB Mini-Grants fund proposals that improve environmental quality by engaging community volunteers to clean-up and beautify Richmond.

The FY 2020-2022 Love Your Block Mini-Grant application cycle closed on February 26, 2021. Congratulations to our 10 mini-grant recipients! Our grantees will be implementing projects between July 1, 2021 and April 30, 2022.
Mini-Grant Recipient Project Summary
Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP) Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP) will remodel the children's area at the GRIP Homeless Shelter, repair the fencing around the property, and do some spring planting in their community garden. There will be three (3) community events to generate family and community support for the project. Volunteers will be involved in the design, plan, and execution of this project.
Kairos Music Academy Kairos Music Academy will hold volunteer park and beach clean-ups around the Marina Bay area, focusing on Barbara and Jay Vincent Park, Marina Bay Park, and Shimada Friendship Park. Additionally, volunteers will participate in a temporary chalk art challenge and help install a memorial garden and plaque near the shoreline. There will also be live entertainment, speakers, and resource tables that promote environmental justice, climate change, and recycling.
Panhandle Annex Neighborhood Council Panhandle Annex Neighborhood Council will work with volunteers to design and paint a mural, upgrade landscaping, install Little Free Libraries, paint and repair front yard fences, and install yard signage. They will host at least three (3) work party events to engage volunteers in the completion of the project.
Parchester Village Neighborhood Council Parchester Village Neighborhood Council will engage volunteers to help resident seniors age in place by scraping, sanding, filling, and painting the exterior of six (6) blighted and senior-owned homes. The project will promote neighborhood pride and culture, beautify the area, and help seniors with low to moderate income.
Pullman Neighborhood Council Pullman Neighborhood Council will create a colorful mural on the 37th St underpass that is currently bare concrete. This underpass is part of the route of the annual Richmond Juneteenth Parade, and the mural will commemorate, celebrate, elevate, and promote the visibility of one of Richmond's unique events. Volunteers will play a role in all phases of the project, from input/design, to clean-up, preparation, painting, and mural revealing.
Rich City Rides Rich City Rides will inspire community pride and empowerment through four (4) activities: 1.) Art On Your Block, a community-based mural project on the Bike Hub at Unity Park; 2.) Protect Your Block, a helmet safety initiative geared towards youth; 3.) Explore Your Block, an expansion of existing Sunday Self-Care Rides that explore city landscapes; and 4.) Clean Your Block, a park clean-up project that will also educate the community about the importance of maintaining clean and safe spaces.
Richmond Grows Richmond Grows will host three (3) volunteer community clean-up events on the Richmond Greenway that will also feature plant giveaways of the Purple Tree Collard - Richmond's Official Green. 
Safe Organized Spaces Richmond Safe Organized Spaces Richmond (SOS! Richmond) will engage unsheltered volunteers to deepen their impact in the neighborhood near Castro and Hensley Streets by conducting weekly clean-up activities and contributing to the provision of safe water and hygiene services.
Urban Tilth Urban Tilth will execute a year-long anti-dumping campaign paired with monthly community volunteer days on the Richmond Greenway, including: 1.) creating a new native plant demonstration garden at 16th St; 2.) building and installing arbors over benches in Berryland at 5th St; 3.) creating a new habitat garden between 4th and 6th St; 4.) building a spiral herb garden; 5.) building a dye garden; 6.) building a free fruit stand; 7.) building composting unit; 8.) install educational and information signage; and 9.) hosting two sessions of garden art making.
YES Nature to Neighborhoods YES Nature to Neighborhoods will engage volunteer youth, families, and park users to paint and beautify the area around the Nicholl Park restrooms. The project includes painting the inside of the restrooms, painting a community-based mural on the outside of the restrooms, replacing hardware in the restrooms, upgrading the water fountain, hosting a park clean-up, and constructing a small community garden.