Supporting transformation beyond the front yard, Gardens Buffalo Niagara (GBN) announces the awardees of the Lunenfeld Beautification Grant program, named for Garden Walk Buffalo’s founder, Marvin Lunenfeld.

Recipients include block clubs, churches, schools, community centers, and neighborhood business associations. Award amounts are based on the overall project cost, matching funds or volunteer sweat equity, and all projects must be visible from the street, publicly accessible, and completed by mid-July.

“Community gardening brings neighbors together to help build stronger communities and safer, healthier environments. Gardens Buffalo Niagara is proud to support community-driven gardening projects with the Lunenfeld Beautification Grant program,” says Mara Montante, GBN Beautification Grants Committee Chair.

Each year, our region comes alive with visitors enjoying the creativity of Buffalo Niagara. Tourists and neighbors alike have the opportunity to re-consider Buffalo through the creativity of its gardeners.

2024 Lunenfeld Beautification Grant recipients:

Projects within the footprints of the East Side Garden Walk (July 20 & 21) and Garden Walk Buffalo (July 27 & 28) will be highlighted on their respective maps.

  • Armory Hill Association
  • Blessed Trinity R.C. Church Society
  • Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School (BASCS)
  • Center for Urban Studies
  • Central Park United Methodist Church
  • Claremont Community Block Club
  • Concordia Foundation, Inc.
  • Corpus Christi Church
  • Days Park Block Club
  • Durham Memorial Outreach Center
  • East Lovejoy Coalition of Neighbors
  • Florida, Elton, Victor, Pleasant & Hager Block Club
  • Friends of Sisti Park
  • H.E.A.L.
  • Home Beneath Our Feet, Inc.
  • Imagine Community Gardens, Inc.
  • Journey’s End Resettlement Services
  • Kleinhans Community Association
  • Minnesota Avenue Block Club
  • Muslim Society of Buffalo, Inc.
  • Northwest Buffalo Community Center, Inc.
  • Omega Mentoring Program
  • Saranac Central Block Association
  • Trinity Episcopal Church
  • Unity of Buffalo
  • West Side Community Services

Since the grants program began in 2004, Gardens Buffalo Niagara has awarded over $160,000 for more than 270 garden beautification projects throughout the City of Buffalo, such as streetside planters, hanging baskets, community gardens, tree planting, annuals for baskets, rain gardens, garden restoration, mass plantings, and much more!

Gardens Buffalo Niagara’s mission is to create more vibrant and beautiful communities by sharing gardens with events like Garden Walk Buffalo, the East Side Garden Walk, Conservation Day and Butterfly Release at the Elmwood Village Farmers Market, Tours of Open Gardens on Thursdays and Fridays in July, The Garden Art Sale, and Urban Farm Day. Visit GardensBuffaloNiagara.com to learn more.