Love Your Block Mini-Grant Program  

The City of Reno, in partnership with the Bloomberg’s Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, is proud to launch its second year of neighborhood improvement grants. This initiative invites residents to apply for funding to support projects that enhance and strengthen their neighborhoods in Ward 1.  

“Each Love Your Block city helps demonstrate one of the most important skills required to drive innovation in city halls – the ability to center resident voices,” said Amanda Daflos, Executive Director of the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins. “We are excited to partner with the City of Reno to build on the successful legacy of support from Bloomberg Philanthropies and Cities of Service and accelerate their efforts to partner with communities to drive local impact through funding, staff support, and the innovation expertise to help sustain resident-led change.” 

Mission Statement 

Ward 1 in Reno faces significant challenges related to neighborhood decay, illegal dumping, and climate resilience. To address these challenges, Love Your Block Reno will collaborate with residents and community leaders in Ward 1 to implement resident-led projects focused on small home enhancements, waste remediation, neighborhood improvements, and improved access to greenery and shade. 

Round One Applications: CommUNITY Mini-Grant 

Applications for this round invite residents and community groups to propose innovative, community-driven projects that benefit the Ward 1 neighborhood as a whole. Projects may range from public murals to community-led cleanups and should demonstrate how they will positively impact the community by enhancing shared spaces, strengthening neighborhood connections, and fostering a sense of community. 

Applications will be accepted from February 13, 2026 through March 31, 2026. 

Round Two Applications: Love Your Home Mini-Grant 

Applications for individual home modification and beautification projects will not be accepted during the first funding round. These projects will be supported through a separate application process, launching in May, with applications accepted on a rolling basis. Please continue to visit this webpage for updates, including application launch details and eligibility information. 

CommUNITY Mini-Grant Eligibility Criteria 

1. Applications are open to individual residents over the age of 18, groups or organizations, local businesses, and religious organizations.
2. Applicants do not need to own the property to apply (renters welcome) but must obtain permission from the owner.
3. Projects must offer opportunities for resident volunteers to participate and perform the revitalization efforts required.
4. Projects can improve public as well as private property but need to be limited to exterior areas/outdoors.
5. Project must benefit the Ward 1 community and improve the neighborhood as a whole.
6. Project budget must be between $500 to $5,000.
7. Project must be accomplished within 4 weeks.
8. Projects must be completed by August 31, 2026. 

Apply 

Please submit your application using the following link: City of Reno Love Your Block Application 

If you require a paper copy of the application, or the application in a different language, please contact us to request an emailed version. Completed paper applications may be submitted to the City Clerk's Office on the second floor – 1 E. 1st Street Reno, NV 89501. 

Verify your address and project area 

Use the link below to check whether your address is within Ward 1 boundaries and whether the project area is public or private property. 

• Public Community Development Map 

Volunteer 

Interested in volunteering? Complete the interest form using the link below, and we’ll notify you by email as volunteer opportunities become available. 

• Volunteer Registration Link 

Donations Request  

If you would like to donate to the Love Your Block Program, we accept new or used products (e.g., gardening supplies, soil, mulch, paint brushes, etc). If you would like to donate, please contact Cori Fisher at Fisherc@reno.gov or Roberto Lara at Lararo@reno.gov 

Awarded Mini-Grant Projects for 2025  

Yori Avenue Pop-Up Nursery

 Project Overview

• Vegetation was removed during the Vaughn Middle School expansion project, reducing greenery along Yori Avenue. This expansion increased the school’s capacity from 640 to 1,215 students and required removing a large grass field, as well as several trees and bushes.
• To help restore neighborhood greenery, Love Your Block and Ward 3 residents partnered with Reno Food Systems, the Nevada Division of Forestry, and Bee Friendly Nevada to host a pop-up nursery. Through this effort, 281 native plants were distributed to community members, resulting in the planting of 75 new trees throughout the neighborhood.
• Bee Friendly Nevada also provided education to neighbors on the importance of pollinators, shared resources with residents, and encouraged the creation of pollinator-friendly spaces to support long-term environmental health. 

 Pembroke Debris & Weed Removal 

Project Overview 

• This hands-on project focused on the removal of invasive plants and debris along Pembroke Avenue, bordering the Rosewood Nature Study Area, which is frequently used for fishing and outdoor educational activities. 
• The effort aimed to protect and enhance the interconnected water ecosystem which ultimately flows into Pyramid Lake, one of Northern Nevada’s three major lakes, alongside Lake Tahoe and Washoe Lake.
• Through volunteer efforts, approximately 60 acres adjacent to the nature study area were restored, and a total of 33,520 pounds of debris and invasive vegetation were removed.

Vesta and Wells Bike Rack Installation 

Project Overview

• This project addressed limited parking availability in the Midtown area and the challenges associated with a growing population, by encouraging alternative transportation options.
• As part of this effort, five high-quality bike racks were installed, providing secure parking for up to 33 bicycles. Each rack features a custom Love Your Block QR code sticker that allows residents to scan and learn more about the program.
• In addition to the infrastructure improvements, this project included the removal of 400 pounds of trash and the cleaning of 11 acres of public space. 

Rising for People Coffee Mural & Neighborhood Clean-up

Project Overview 

• Residents and volunteers partnered with a local artist to create a vibrant community mural, with Rising for People Coffee, Midtown’s first Black-owned coffee shop, serving as the event’s central gathering space. 
• Participants also conducted a neighborhood micro-trash cleanup, helping beautify the surrounding streets and public areas. 

Donner Springs Bird House Initiative Project

Project Overview 

• Donner Springs is a School of Choice area, where students attend a variety of schools, making this project an ideal opportunity for kids and neighbors to come together, foster connections, and build lasting friendships. 
• Volunteers engaged families in hands-on activities, constructing and distributing 120 birdhouses and 20 hummingbird feeders to support and strengthen native bird habitats. 
• The team also collected and removed 150 pounds of trash, enhancing both the cleanliness and overall health of the neighborhood environment. 
• In Nevada’s desert landscape, where tall trees are scare, these birdhouses provide critical shelter for local bird species, helping sustain the community’s wildlife and promote environmental awareness among participants. 

Contact Us

Dayna Torrecillas, Love Your Block Fellow. 
Email: torrecillasd@reno.gov 
Phone Number: 775-326-5101 

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Word Viewer Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer