Buffalo, NY – Mayor Byron W. Brown today announced a new Love Your Block Grant Program aimed at supporting community efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the City of Buffalo. The Love Your Block Community Response Fund, powered by Cities of Service and administered by the City of Buffalo’s Division of Citizen Services, awards mini-grants, much like the original Love Your Block initiative, but instead of supporting neighborhood beautification projects, this program supports efforts that will help stop community spread of COVID-19.
Mayor Brown stated, “We live in a City where neighbors genuinely know and care for one another. In every neighborhood there are individuals, businesses, community organizations, block clubs and others who are stepping up to the plate to do whatever they can to help anyone in need during this emergency. Our residents’ willingness to help is an inspiration. With this new grant program, City of Buffalo community leaders can access funding for these small, but impactful projects that will further support relief efforts in our community.”
Qualifying community-based groups, block clubs or neighborhood organizations can apply for these mini-grants, of up to $500, for projects that will fund efforts to help slow community spread or support frontline workers. These grants are made possible with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Applications must be submitted by June 29, 2020.
Oswaldo Mestre, Director of Citizen Services and Chief Service Officer, stated, “The new normal of COVID-19 has caused so much strain on vulnerable communities. We’ve seen block clubs and organizations step up during this time to help their neighbors and we want to assist them with funding of up to $500 for projects related to alleviating hardships caused by the pandemic in our communities. Applications are now available and will be reviewed by the Love Your Block team.”
Interested organizations can submit applications for any kind of activity that will help our community to better cope with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ashland Avenue Block Club, an active participant in Mayor Brown’s Good Neighbors Network, will be the first organization to receive funding from this initiative. It was awarded a grant of $500 to cover supplies for Mask Up Buffalo, which created and donated hundreds of handmade masks to senior residents at senior centers citywide last week. For more information on the Love Your Block Community Response Fund, visit buffaloveyourblock.org.
