Love My Neighbor!, an initiative founded by Neighborhood Allies and developed by the Grassroots Grants Committee (GGC), invests in resident-led projects that aim to improve neighborhoods and engage neighbors.

The mission of the program is to build neighborhoods by identifying, empowering, and supporting projects imagined by and for residents of our community. Residents, who live in one of Neighborhood Allies’ target communities and are passionate about making a positive change in their neighborhood, can apply for small grants ranging between $500 – $2,500. The first round of awards will be made in mid-August, 2016.

“We think its extremely important that our strategies and investments help foster neighborhoods where neighbors are encouraged to know one another, to celebrate together, and to join in making decisions about the future of their communities. This program will build social capital and new networks across our neighborhoods, that we believe will result in a powerful combination of skills, leadership, resources and commitment to equitable neighborhood change.”

-Presley Gillespie

Where Love My Neighbor! differs from most grantmaking programs in Pittsburgh is in how funding decisions are made. Grassroots Grantmaking Committee (GGC)–15 Leaders representing nine communities–will review grant applications, interview residents about their projects, and decide on projects to fund. For the past six months, the GGC has built the program: learning from best practices, determining criteria for resident projects, and creating an open and welcoming culture across the group. Throughout their work, one aspect is unwavering: the GGC role is not to be above residents trying to lift them up; rather, their role is to stand by them and find ways to support their work and aspirations. GGC member, Tia Torres, sees Love My Neighbor! as having “no hierarchy or power. It’s the community serving the community.”

To apply for a grant, residents must be from one of the following communities:

• Allentown
• Beltzhoover
• Hill District
• Homewood
• Larimer
• Lincoln-Lemington
• Millvale
• Knoxville
• Wilkinsburg

Residents interested in applying for a grant are encouraged to attend a technical assistance session to develop your idea. The session schedule is as follows:

• Homewood: June 22nd 5:30-7:30 pm at CLP-Homewood (7101 Hamilton Avenue)
• Larimer: June 27th 4-6pm at ECCO Center (200 Larimer Avenue(
• Hilltop: June 28th 5-7 pm at Beltzhoover Neighborhood Council (407 Gearing Avenue)
• Wilkinsburg: June 29th 4-6 pm at Covenant Fellowship (1300 Swissvale Avenue)
• Lincoln-Lemington: June 30th 5-7 pm at 1621 Lincoln Avenue
• Hill District: July 5th 4-6 pm at CLP-Hill District (2177 Centre Avenue)
• Millvale: July 11th 4-6 pm at Christ Lutheran Church (917 Evergreen Avenue)

The deadline to submit applications is Friday, July 15th. The Grassroots Grantmaking Committee (GGC), a cohort of residents from each of our target communities, will interview residents about their projects and decide on what grants to fund. Those interviews will take place July 18th – August 7th. To apply and see learn more, visit lovemyneighborgrants.org. 

For more information, contact shikha@neighborhoodallies.org.