☞ REVIVE: The Love Your Block Grant

The Citizens Committee for New York City, in partnership with the Mayor's Office, is currently accepting grant applications for their "Love Your Block" program. The grants are available to any community group that is looking to beautify or revitalize their block. Grants of $500 to $1000 will be awarded for block improvements that can be used toward various neighborhood renovations, such as cleaning vacant lots, planting trees in empty tree beds, and removing graffiti.

Another important part of this grant program is the opportunity for a community group to access specific City services that will help revitalize the block, including the Department of Transportation, Sanitation and Parks & Recreation. Winning groups will also host project completion events in Spring 2011 and receive press coverage.

The grant deadline is November 15, 2010. The application can be downloaded at: www.citizensnyc.org. Also, the Citizens Committee for NYC's "Better Neighborhood" grant application will be ready in November (deadline: January 31, 2010).