Last August, Clean Air Council and Feet First Philly, in partnership with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, launched the 5th annual Public Space Enhancement Mini-Grant Program. There were over 70 applications submitted for amazing projects across the city. 10 projects were initially selected to receive funding ranging from $500 to $2,000 for community-based improvements, enhancing public spaces, walkability, and green access for residents across Philadelphia. In June of 2025, Feet First Philly received additional funding and was able to add an 11th project to the season’s awardees. Since 2020, 64 projects have been funded through the mini-grant program.
The selection process is led by a committee made up of past recipients, pedestrian advocates, professionals in public space improvements, and city officials, planners, and designers from multiple departments, in order to offer a wide range of voices and perspectives.
The projects selected for funding are:
- ACHIEVEability – This organization implemented a project called Impact Day 2025, mobilizing volunteers to engage in revitalization efforts in West Philadelphia. These efforts included porch painting, litter removal, storefront improvements, tree planting, community gardening, and more.
- Nicetown-Tioga Improvement Team RCO (NTIT) – This group will engage in phase three of the repair and revitalization process for their Healing and Unity Gardens. This project will include workshops on garden maintenance and stormwater management. It will also add raised planter beds to the gardens. This group’s funding was thanks to the partnership with GPAR, and NTIT was awarded a larger grant of $5,000.
- Norris Square Tabletop Project – This project will create a regular community gathering for tabletop games at Norris Square Park. This project aims to help residents gather and build community with each other.
- LA21 – This project is called the Container Village Lighting Enhancement. It will add outdoor lighting to an outdoor retail, recreational, and community hub that was once a vacant and blighted lot in Parkside, West Philadelphia.
- Face to Face – This project is called the Price Street Improvement project. It will improve a portion of the sidewalk by replacing broken sidewalk blocks and removing weeds and other debris.
- SEAMAAC – This project is called the Heat Reduction Project on S. 7th St. Commercial Corridor. The group will install trees along the entry of the commercial corridor and planter boxes to continue the beautification efforts along the corridor.
- Urban Creators – This project is called the UC Beautification and Safety Project. It aims to enhance the safety, accessibility, and overall experience of their urban farm. These improvements include signage, outdoor lighting, and additional irrigation equipment.
- Empowered CDC – This group aims to maintain their Cecil Street Garden by adding new planters along the sidewalk and fixing broken sidewalks along the garden.
- Mantua Civic Association – This is the third phase of their Pollinator and Tulip Planter Tribute Project. This project aims to add planters on Mantua Ave with the mantra “Bulbs Not Bullets” to add beauty to the area, along with spreading an anti-violence message.
- Little Memorial Temple Church – This is another sidewalk repair project that aims to replace broken sidewalks on West Norris Street to improve safety.
- Back Street Beautification – This project aims to tackle illegal dumping in North Philadelphia, on the 1900 block and North Hemberger Street. By cleaning up and painting the block, residents will enhance the space and discourage dumping and littering in the area.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE 6TH ROUND OF FUNDING WILL OPEN AUGUST 1ST, 2025
To be notified for the 6th round (this year’s) application season, please fill out form below:
For more information, check out Clean Air Council’s blog on the initial ten awardees and their ongoing projects here.
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