Program Overview
About the Program
Love Your Block is a community-driven initiative that brings residents and local government together to create cleaner, safer, and more vibrant neighborhoods, one block at a time.
Through small-scale neighborhood improvement projects, Love Your Block empowers community members to identify local needs and work collaboratively on solutions that make a lasting impact. Projects can include community gardens, public art, neighborhood cleanups, beautification efforts, revitalization of public spaces, and other resident-led improvements that strengthen community pride.
Love Your Block Goals
• Empower Residents – Support community-led projects that improve neighborhoods. • Build Connections – Strengthen relationships between residents, local organizations, and city leaders. • Beautify San Bernardino – Enhance public spaces to create a city people love and take pride in. • Support Sustainability – Provide mentorship and resources to help projects have a lasting impact.
Eligibility
Applications are open to individual residents over the age of 18 (unless applying with a co-applicant who is 18+) groups, or community organizations. Applications can also be submitted by local businesses and religious organizations so long as the revitalization project improves public spaces or otherwise primarily benefits the community in the neighborhoods served by the program.
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. Projects can improve public as well as private property, but they must be limited to exterior areas visible to the public.
Applicants do not need to own the property to apply (renters are welcome!), but they must be willing to obtain permission from the owner, according to city rules and regulations.
The project proposed in the application must be possible to accomplish within 6 weeks.
Eligible Applicants
• Residents 18+: Individuals living within San Bernardino (unless applying with a co-applicant who is 18+) • Non-Profit Organizations (501(c)(3))
• Neighborhood Associations: Recognized groups within the city • Community-Based Organizations: Local groups working to improve San Bernardino communities • School / School Organization / School Representative
Grant Award & Funding
Grant awards range from $2,500 to $5,000. The budget should reflect project needs only; applicants do not need to request the maximum award amount unless that is what the project is expected to cost. Projects may be funded in full or in part by the Love Your Block program.
Eligible Uses of Funds
• Paint and painting supplies
• Plants and landscaping materials
• Planting materials
• Lumber
• Tools
• Volunteer food and beverages
• Any supplies needed to complete the proposed project
• Artists fees & Labor Costs can be considered; not to exceed 25% of total budget Ineligible Uses of Funds
• Interior home/property improvements
• Political events
• Entertainment
• Alcohol
• Rent/utilities
Eligible & Ineligible Activities
Eligible Project Focus
• Projects must focus on community art, vacant lot cleanups, or both. • Projects must address at least one issue: blight, safety, or lack of beautification. • Projects must benefit the community and improve the neighborhood. • Projects must include a maintenance plan for long-term sustainability.
Ineligible Activities
• Projects outside San Bernardino
• Projects benefiting only private individuals, property, or organizations • Political/religious activities
• One-time events
• Projects that primarily serve churches or religious organizations rather than the overall community
General Requirements
Requirement Guideline
Grant Award Amounts $2,500 – $5,000
Project Timeline The project must be possible to accomplish within 6 weeks.
Location Projects must be located within San Bernardino city limits.
Community Benefit The project must benefit the community and improve the neighborhood.
Completion Projects must be completed prior to the end of the program
Maintenance Projects must include a maintenance plan for longterm sustainability.
Supplemental Documents
Submit the supplemental documents at time of application:
1. Budget Plan
2. Project Timeline
3. Maintenance Plan
4. Sketches or Renderings of proposed art projects
5. Property Owner Authorization Form only if needed
6. Before Photos (at least 3 photos of the project site)
7. Proof of 501(c)(3) status (Non-Profit Status Determination letter from the IRS), if applicable
8. Letters of Support from community members or organizations
9. Any outside partnership donations or supplemental funding you have or may receive Program Administration
The Love Your Block program may fund projects in full or in part. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that proposed activities meet the program requirements and that all required permissions and supplemental documents are obtained.
Project Requirements at a Glance
• Located within San Bernardino city limits.
• Benefits the broader community.
• Includes opportunities for resident volunteers.
• Focuses on community art, vacant lot cleanup, or both. • Addresses blight, safety, or lack of beautification.
• Can be completed within 6 weeks.
• Includes a long-term maintenance plan.
Program Timeline
LYB Civic Engagement
Community Outreach Nov – Jan 2027
LYB Mini-Grant Applications Open February 14, 2027
1 st Round of Mini-Grant Winners Announced April 2027
Applications Remain Open
Projects will be awarded on an ongoing rolling basis April – July 2027 Awarded Projects Must Be Completed August 31, 2027
Final Projects Reports Due September 2027
Love Your Block Close Out October 2027
Grant Review and Approval Process
Review
The Love Your Block Committee will review each application for completeness and preliminary eligibility. To be considered for eligibility, applications must be complete and meet the requirements outlined in the application review rubric. The rubric, which details the criteria applicants must meet, is included below for reference.
Love Your Block: Mini-grant Application Evaluation Rubric Reviewer name: ______________________________________________________ Date: ________________ Project title: ______________________________________________________________________________ Project type: ______________________________________________________________________________ Total score (to be completed last): ____________ / 120
Criteria Scoring Details Maximum
Points
Score
Relevance to the
identified public
problem
0–5 points: Does not address priorities related to the public problem.
6–10 points: Addresses issues but lacks a clear focus.
11–20 points: Directly addresses urgent issues with clear focus. 20 Benefits to the
community
Project impact on community quality of life – Expected
benefits to the community's quality of life, beyond the minigrant recipient. 0–5 points: Does not demonstrate clear benefits to the
community.
6–10 points: Demonstrates some benefit to the community. 11–20 points: Directly demonstrates benefits to the
community.
20 Neighborhood
improvement
Project impact on the overall neighborhood revitalization effort (resident-level impact = “project impact” on the metrics tracker dashboard).
0–5 points: Does not demonstrate clear improvement to the neighborhood.
6–10 points: Demonstrates some impact on neighborhood
improvement.
11–20 points: Directly demonstrates impact on neighborhood improvement.
20 Volunteer
Engagement
Opportunity
Project impact on program engagement.
0–5 points: Does not offer significant opportunities to engage resident volunteers (beyond the applicant).
6–10 points: Offers some opportunities to engage resident volunteers (beyond the applicant).
11–20 points: Project offers extensive opportunities to engage resident volunteers.
20 Relationship
building and trust
Potential to strengthen relationships between City Hall and traditionally disinvested communities.
0–5 points: Does not demonstrate clear potential to
20
strengthen relationships between City Hall and traditionally disinvested communities.
6–10 points: Demonstrates some potential to strengthen
relationships between City Hall and traditionally disinvested communities.
11–20 points: Directly demonstrates the potential to
strengthen relationships between City Hall and traditionally disinvested communities.
Budget rationale 0–3 points: Does not provide a strong budget rationale. 4–7 points: Budget rationale is somewhat reasonable.
8–10 points: Directly demonstrates strong budget rationale. 10 Risk assessment /
Feasibility and
project planning
0–3 points: Does not demonstrate strong project feasibility and planning.
4–7 points: Somewhat demonstrates project feasibility and planning.
8–10 points: Directly demonstrates strong project feasibility and planning.
10 TOTAL 120 Points
Scoring notes
Strengths:
_________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ Weaknesses:
_________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ Points needing clarification and/or additional comments:
_________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ Do you recommend funding for this project? ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Maybe / Would like to discuss further with the team
Resource note: Updated List of Resources, including outreach materials, application support tools, and communication templates.
Verification and Eligibility Determination
Upon pre-approval and selection, the Love Your Block Team will notify selected applicants and request any required documentation needed to verify eligibility and finalize grant approval. The Love Your Block Team will work with each selected grantee to assist with completing the required documentation and provide guidance throughout the grant process.
All required documentation must be submitted by the deadline provided by the Love Your Block Team in order for the applicant to remain eligible for funding. If required documentation is not submitted by the deadline, the applicant may be removed from the eligibility list, and an alternate project may be selected.
Grant Disbursement
Once a project has been approved and all required documentation has been completed and verified, the Love Your Block Team will coordinate with the application for execution of the Love Your Block Agreement.
Following execution, staff will work with the appropriate City departments to provide the grantee with a check for the approved grant amount.
Grant funds must be used only for purchases and expenses directly related to the approved Love Your Block project and within the approved project budget. Grantees are responsible for completing their project within the established Love Your Block project timeline.
Any changes to the approved project scope, budget, location, or timeline must be reviewed and approved by the Love Your Block Team prior to implementation.
Grant funds may only be used for the approved project and eligible expenses.
Grant Report and Documentation
Upon completion of the Love Your Block project, each grantee must submit a spending report documenting how the grant funds were used. The spending report must include receipts or other appropriate documentation for purchases made with grant funds.
Grantees are responsible for maintaining all receipts and documentation related to the use of grant funds and submitting them to the Love Your Block Team as part of the project closeout process.
The Love Your Block Team may request additional documentation or clarification regarding project expenses to verify that grant funds were used for the approved project and eligible expenses.
If it is determined that grant funds were not used for the approved project or eligible expenses, the grantee may be required to take corrective action and may be ineligible for future Love Your Block funding.
Post-Grant Follow-Up
Following completion of the project, the Love Your Block Team may conduct follow-up with grantees to document the project's impact on the community and neighborhood.
Grantees may be asked to provide updates regarding project outcomes, volunteer participation, community engagement, photographs, and other information that demonstrates the project's impact.
This information may be used to evaluate the Love Your Block program and communicate its impact to City leadership, community partners, residents, and other stakeholders.
By accepting a Love Your Block grant, the grantee agrees to participate in reasonable program follow-up and provide requested project information. The Love Your Block Team may also request permission to use project photographs, project descriptions, and other project-related materials for program communications, reports, presentations, and promotional purposes.
Program Complaint and Appeal Process
Complaints or concerns regarding the Love Your Block Mini-Grant Program should first be submitted to the Love Your Block Team for review and resolution.
Applicants or grantees who believe that a program decision has not been resolved through the Love Your Block Team may submit a written complaint or appeal to the appropriate City office for further review.
The City will review complaints and appeals in accordance with applicable City policies and Love Your Block program requirements. Program decisions related to eligibility, project selection, funding, project scope, and compliance will be based on the established program criteria and available funding.
Contact Information
For additional information regarding the Love Your Block Mini-Grant Program, please contact:
City of San Bernardino
Love Your Block Team
Economic Development Department
201 North E Street, 3rd Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92401
Email: [email protected]
For questions regarding the Love Your Block guidelines, application, eligibility requirements, or assistance with completing the application, please contact the Love Your Block Team at the information provided above.
Love Your Block
Community-led projects. Stronger neighborhoods. A better San Bernardino.