Summary

The Love Your Block program empowers residents and community organizations to create positive change in their neighborhoods. Through mini-grants, this initiative supports community-driven projects that make a tangible impact. Love Your Block supports a wide range of innovative projects, from public murals to neighborhood-led clean-up efforts. These projects strengthen neighborhood pride, foster connection, and help shape the vibrant community we call home. We are excited to support your vision for a better neighborhood! 

Eligibility Criteria

• To maximize impact, Love Your Block strategically focuses on one specific area of the City of Reno at a time. This year’s mini-grant opportunity will serve properties located within Ward 1. 

• Applications are open to individual residents over the age of 18, groups or community organizations. Applications may also be submitted by local business and religious organizations so long as the project improves public spaces or otherwise primarily benefits the community. 

• Applications should propose a revitalization project, such as transforming vacant parking lots into greenery spaces or conducting neighborhood clean-ups. For inspiration, search “Love Your Block projects” to view examples from cities across the country. Services or other projects that do not improve physical spaces or structures cannot be funded by the program.

• Applicants do not need to own the property to apply (renters are welcome), but they must be willing to obtain permission from the owner.

• The benefits of the proposed project should extend beyond the mini-grant recipients, contributing to overall community enjoyment and neighborhood revitalization.

• Projects must offer opportunities for resident volunteers to participate and perform the revitalization tasks required. Example: roof installation cannot be funded because tasks require skilled labor; porch painting that can be performed by volunteers can be funded.

• Projects can improve public as well as private property but need to be limited to exterior areas or be outdoors. 

• Project budget must not exceed an amount of $5,000 . The budget should reflect project needs only; applicants do not need to request the full amount, unless that is what the amount the project is expected to cost. Projects may be funded in full or in part by the Love Your Block program.

• Projects must be possible to accomplish within 4 weeks. Ongoing maintenance will not be provided by the city so a volunteer maintenance plan must also be considered.

Mini-Grant Requirements

• The City of Reno expects to be able to obtain or purchase all supplies for the projects. Applicants will not receive funds directly. The City, however, reserves the right to adjust the purchasing approach on a case-by-case basis.

• If funded, mini-grant recipients agree to provide all project information and documentation requested by the city, including photos and volunteer metrics.

• All funds must be used for the approved project purposes only. 

• All projects must be completed and funds spent by August 31, 2026.

• Comply with all applicable city, state, and federal laws.

Support Available for Applicants

Application support is available. For assistance with the application process, please contact Dayna Torrecillas at torrecillasd@reno.gov. 

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. 

Applications will be accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis till funds are depleted. 

Grant Panelist Information and Expectations

The City of Reno Department of Arts & Culture (CoR A&C) is seeking qualified panelists for our 2027 grant programs. CoR A&C offers two annual grants with a period of support between January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2027. Our annual grant programs support eligible nonprofit organizations and public institutions. Individuals are not eligible. 

The Event Grant provides support for a one-time arts and culture event. The Project Grant provides support for a project, program, or series of projects and programs. Panelists will be chosen for one grant program based on their expertise.  Learn more about our grant programs on our grants website. (Do to a recent website migration in June, some information is not updated). 

A qualified panelist should demonstrate experience in arts and cultural administration and disciplines such as project management, event management, nonprofit management, grant management, performance arts, visual arts, and arts education. 

Panelists will be offered a $400 honorarium for their time and expertise. Panelists are expected to attend one of two offered panelist orientations, score all grant applications in Submittable, and attend a virtual panel meeting (approximately 4 hours long or less). Panel meetings are not open to the public but are recorded for grantees to view. Panelists must not live or work in the Reno metropolitan area. 

Grant Panelist Schedule

Wednesday, September 2nd at 11:59 p.m. PT  - Panelist Applications Closes 

Late September - Grant Panelist Orientation

Wednesday, September 30th - Project and Event Grant Applications Due and Portal Closes for Grantees

Wednesday, October 7th - Panelists are assigned grant applications to review

Sunday, November 1st - All reviews must be completed and scores submitted by panelists 

First Week of November - Grant Panel Meeting

If you have any questions, please contact Erica Hill, Public Art Coordinator, at Hille@reno.gov