These Newark Residents Know How To ‘Love Their Block’: City Awards Mini-Grants

NEWARK, NJ — They know how to “love their block.”

Newark officials recently announced the recipients of the 2026 “Love Your Block, Newark!” grant program, which helps residents to lead community-driven beautification, sustainability and climate-resilience projects across the city.

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Through grants of up to $5,000, the program supports grassroots solutions that make Newark’s neighborhoods cleaner, greener and more resilient.

This year’s initiatives include community gardens to expand food access and education, green space revitalization, neighborhood cleanups, catch basin maintenance and art, disaster preparedness workshops, pollinator gardens, youth-led environmental programs and expanded waste management efforts.

Grantees this year include:

1. Bridging the Blocks Association (South Ward)
2. Hillside Ave Block Association (South Ward)
3. Lower Goldsmith Block Association (South Ward
4. Newark Community Street Team (South Ward)
5. Newark Science and Sustainability (South Ward)
6. Weequahic Park Association (South Ward)
7. Weequahic Park Sports Authority Conservancy (South Ward)
8. Hermo Court HOA (East Ward)
9. Ironbound Community Corporation (East Ward)
10. Foundation Esperanza Azteca (West Ward)
11. Munsterpreneur Initiative Inc. (West Ward)
12. Newark Network (West Ward)
13. Rare Gems Community Development Corporation (West Ward)
14. Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Newark (Central Ward)
15. Rutgers The State University (Central Ward)
16. The Education & Training Institute (East and West)

“The Love Your Block, Newark! program spotlights our residents who truly care about our city and are committed to improving their immediate surroundings,” Mayor Ras Baraka said.

“These grant awardees take ownership of their civic responsibility for environmental stewardship and the health and wellbeing of their neighbors,” Baraka said. “They deserve all the praise we can give them and all our thanks.”

“These 16 grants, awarded to resident groups across the city, reflect the unity, creativity, and commitment of Newarkers who are stepping up to address local challenges and bring their visions to life,” Chief Sustainability Officer Nicole Hewitt-Cabral agreed. “They are the driving force behind the vibrancy and strength of our city.”

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