The City of San Bernardino has announced that six neighborhood groups, community organizations, and nonprofits will receive a total of $26,200 in funding to support high impact, community improvement projects through its “Love Your Block” initiative.

Selected projects include murals, community cleanups, and a little free library focused on the historic Route 66 corridor ahead of the “mother road’s” 100^th anniversary.

“As we mark 100 years of Route 66, these Love Your Block projects highlight the importance of preserving and reinvesting in this iconic corridor,” said Mayor Helen Tran. “It’s inspiring to see residents leading efforts to beautify and reenergize this historic area, ensuring it continues to be a source of pride and opportunity for San Bernardino.”

The six grant recipients were selected by the community through an online and in-person vote from among twelve finalists.

The winning projects were announced via social media on Friday, April 24, and presented at an Earth Day event held in downtown San Bernardino on Saturday, April 25, as part of a nationwide announcement by all sixteen Love Your Block cities nationwide.

This year marks the second year San Bernardino has partnered with the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation on the Love Your Block Program.

Established in 2009, Love Your Block empowers residents to take an active role in revitalizing their neighborhoods. Mini-grants of up to $5,000 are awarded to neighborhood groups, students, and civic organizations to support small-scale, high-impact projects such as local art, beautification, and community cleanups.

The City of San Bernardino is one of only sixteen cities in the United States and two in California selected for the program.

The City has announced that there is still funding available this year and will continue accepting applications and awarding grants until all funds are distributed or the program concludes on October 31.

Local partners for this initiative include Music Changing Lives and the Neighborhood Association Council of San Bernardino.

Here is a complete list of San Bernardino’s 2026 Love Your Block winners:

The Mother Road – A Journey Through San Bernardino: Darren Villgas, resident and local artist will create a large mural at the base of the Mt. Vernon Bridge celebrating San Bernardino’s history through four archway designs featuring early railroads, Route 66, classic car culture, and modern transportation.

Mt. Vernon & 7^th Street Mural: Lourdes Yanez with ICM Supremo Llamamiento will create a mural along historic Route 66 at 708 N. Mt. Vernon Ave., honoring the Westside’s rich cultural history, including the former Columbus Theatre and Teatro Azteca.

Downtown Wall of Fame Mural & Clean-Up: The Downtown Neighborhood Association in collaboration with artist Christian Mariscal will feature a mural at the Court Street Square celebrating the city’s connection to Route 66 with Route 66 imagery, local landmarks, and cultural elements. The project will also include ongoing community cleanups to keep the area clean and welcoming, helping beautify downtown and create a lasting landmark for everyone to enjoy.     

Connecting the Past: Hal Lacy, resident and local artist – Connecting the Past will create a vibrant Route 66 themed mural that will transform a blank wall into a meaningful public landmark that will feature local landmarks, cultural symbols, and recognizable Route 66 imagery, while also honoring Amapola Rico Taco for its 50 years as a valued neighborhood business.

The Gateway Project: The Ramona Alessandro Neighborhood Association will install a bold, colorful sign celebrating San Bernardino’s identity as the Gateway to Southern California and its historic connection to Route 66. Located along a highly traveled corridor, the sign will create a welcoming landmark that residents see daily, building community pride and strengthening neighborhood identity. 

Route 66 Little Free Library: Girl Scout Troop 1134 with Girl Scout Troop 1419  – This project will install a Route 66 themed Little Free Library at Anne Shirrells Park near the Akoma Unity Center to provide free books for kids and families and encourage reading in the community.

Additional grant awards will be announced on the City’s social media platforms as they are finalized.

For more information, visit San Bernardino’s Love Your Block website at https://www.sbcity.org/1636/Love-Your-Block