How To Secure A $5,000 Grant For Your Neighborhood In Newark

Newark is inviting residents to show their neighborhoods some love this Valentine’s Day with the launch of the Love Your Block, Newark! 2026 grant program. Starting Saturday, February 14, local community groups can apply for up to $5,000 to fund resident-led beautification and sustainability projects.

The initiative, a partnership between city departments and community groups, aims to foster neighborhood pride while addressing critical environmental goals. According to Mayor Ras J. Baraka, the program reflects the city’s greatest strength: “residents who care deeply about their neighborhoods and are ready to lead.”

Grant Details and New Enhancements

For the 2026 cycle, the city has introduced several updates to increase the program’s impact and support for residents:

• Sustainability Focus: All funded projects must now center on sustainability and climate resilience.
• Rolling Admissions: Grant decisions will be made as applications arrive, rather than waiting until the deadline.
• Mentorship Program: New grantees will be paired with experienced past winners for peer-to-peer guidance.
• Extended Timeline: The implementation window has been lengthened, with projects running from May 6 through September 2, 2026.
  

Mayor Baraka noted that by investing in these local efforts, the city is “empowering Newarkers to build cleaner, greener, and more resilient neighborhoods while strengthening the bonds that hold our city together.”

How to Qualify

To be eligible for the reimbursement-based funding, projects must be located within Newark, led by residents, and volunteer-driven. Chief Sustainability Officer Nicole Hewitt-Cabral emphasized that the program is designed to turn “local ideas into real, visible change,” helping the city reach its broader climate resilience goals.

Priority will be given to first-time applicants, youth-led initiatives, and projects led by Newark Housing Authority residents or local block associations.

Get Involved: Brainstorming Sessions

The city will host five in-person brainstorming sessions throughout February and March to help residents refine their ideas before the March 31 deadline:

• Feb 19: UVSO Teen Center at 6 p.m.
• Feb 21: St. Stephens Church at 10 a.m.
• Feb 26: William Mobile Ashby Center at 6 p.m.
• March 4: Branch Brook Library at 6 p.m.
• March 5: City Hall Press Briefing Room at 6 p.m.
  

Approved grantees will be publicly announced on May 1, 2026, followed by an orientation workshop to kick off the summer implementation period.

For questions, residents can contact Valeria Angel at  angelv@ci.newark.nj.us or (973) 877-9587. More information can be found on the website or by emailing loveyourblock@ci.newark.nj.us.