Love Your Block Mini Grant

Love Your Block: Columbia, Missouri is a mini-grant initiative supported by the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation and administered locally by the City of Columbia, Missouri. As one of 16 recipients of Bloomberg's 2024–2026 Love Your Block grant cycle, Columbia is using this funding to engage residents directly in revitalization efforts focused on central neighborhoods. The initiative provides micro-grants for projects led by local individuals or organizations, designed to address community issues through tangible neighborhood improvements. This mini-grant program targets the heart of Columbia’s central neighborhoods, especially those within census tracts 9 and 21 and other federally recognized Qualified Census Tracts. Love Your Block emphasizes grassroots leadership, inviting residents to spearhead projects such as park and litter cleanups, composting systems, community gardens, and public beautification efforts. Applicants can request up to $500 in Tier One or up to $2,500 in Tier Two funding per project. While only one application is allowed per applicant, proposals may bundle multiple small-scale elements into one comprehensive initiative. Tools, supplies, and logistical support will be provided by the local Love Your Block Fellows to ensure project success. Eligibility for the mini-grants is open to both individuals and organizations, provided that any applying organizations are officially registered with the State of Missouri. Projects must be completed by August 31, 2026, and final summary reports are due by September 30, 2026. Importantly, funded projects must publicly acknowledge the Love Your Block program as a sponsor in all promotional and outreach materials. Use of funds is restricted and may not include rent, staff salaries, scholarships, administrative costs, or projects benefiting religious or political entities. Applications for the 2026 mini-grant cycle will be accepted starting February 14, 2026, and must be submitted by March 15, 2026. Awards will be announced during the week of April 6, 2026. Evaluation will be handled by the Love Your Block Mini-Grant Evaluation Committee, using a scoring rubric based on location, budget viability, feasibility, neighbor engagement, and community benefit. Award amounts are determined according to the overall score. Should a funded project become unviable, applicants may request approval to implement a comparable alternative; however, failure to complete or properly document a project may affect eligibility in future funding cycles. Application materials may be submitted online, via email to [email protected], or delivered in person or by mail to the City of Columbia Housing & Neighborhood Services office. Residents interested in learning more or seeking assistance are encouraged to attend one of the scheduled in-person office hours held throughout February and March at various community locations. For direct support, applicants may contact Love Your Block Fellows Jacob Richardson and Kaleea Lewis by email or connect through the general volunteer contact number.

Priority given to central Columbia neighborhoods (Census Tracts 9 and 21); strong volunteer and neighbor engagement improves score.