Gardens Buffalo Niagara awards $20,000 in Lunenfeld Beautification Grants for 25 projects throughout Buffalo.

May 5, 2025

BUFFALO, NY — Supporting transformation beyond the front yard, Gardens Buffalo Niagara (GBN) is thrilled to announce the recipients of its 2025 Marvin Lunenfeld Beautification Grants. Named in honor of Garden Walk Buffalo founder Marvin Lunenfeld, this annual grant program uplifts grassroots beautification efforts and helps communities across Buffalo bloom. 

This year’s awardees include block clubs, houses of worship, schools, community centers, and neighborhood business associations. Projects are publicly accessible and range from community gardens and historic restorations to street-side planters and murals framed in native plantings. Awards of up to $1,000 were made based on overall project cost, matching contributions, and volunteer “sweat equity.”

“Shared green spaces - no matter how small - can spark meaningful change and positively impact communities and the environment. Gardens Buffalo Niagara’s Lunenfeld Beautification Grant program empowers residents to lead gardening projects that unite neighbors and transform public spaces into more welcoming, vibrant places” says Mara Montante, GBN Beautification Grants Committee Chair. 

This year, Gardens Buffalo Niagara is pleased to recognize the contribution of NYS Senator Sean Ryan to the Lunenfeld Beautification Grant Program. Senator Ryan’s generous support reflects his commitment to community revitalization and a greener, more connected Buffalo.

"I'm proud to contribute to Gardens Buffalo Niagara's mission to create public green space across Buffalo and WNY. They sponsor everything from community garden transformations to the iconic Garden Walk Buffalo, bringing people together and allowing them to enjoy serene settings even in the heart of our urban neighborhoods. I commend them for their commitment to keeping Buffalo beautiful," says Ryan. 

2025 Lunenfeld Beautification Grant recipients: Projects are highlighted during Garden Walk Buffalo (July 26 & 27) and the East Side Garden Walk (July 19 & 20).

  • Allentown Association, Inc

  • Armory Hill Association Block Club

  • Claremont Community Block Club

  • Coles House Project

  • Corpus Christi Church

  • East Lovejoy Coalition of Neighbors Block Club Inc

  • Family Promise of WNY

  • Greenwood Place Community Garden

  • Journey's End Refugee Services  

  • Kleinhans Community Association

  • Lumber City Church

  • Lutheran Church of Our Savior

  • Minnesota Avenue Block Club 

  • Muslim Society of Buffalo, INC.

  • Niagara District Block Club/ Cottage District Neighborhood Assoc.

  • Northwest Buffalo Community Center, Inc.

  • Parkside Community Assoc.

  • Saranac Central Block Association (SCBA)

  • St. Adalbert Basilica 

  • St. Katharine Drexel Community Garden

  • The Tool Library

  • UB Foundation - Center for Urban Studies

  • Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo

  • West Side Community Services

  • Winslow F-K Block Club

The Lunenfeld Beautification Grant program has awarded over $170,000 to more than 200 community groups since 2004. Gardening transforms communities. The creativity and commitment of gardeners beautify neighborhoods, establish stronger connections, and even contribute to the health of our local ecology.

Gardens Buffalo Niagara creates more vibrant and beautiful communities by sharing our gardens through events like Garden Walk Buffalo, America’s largest garden tour; the East Side Garden Walk; Tours of Open Gardens on Thursdays and Fridays in July; the Garden Art Sale; Urban Farm Day; Conservation Day; and promoting the many other regional garden tours in the region.

Full Press Kit Available at https://www.gardensbuffaloniagara.com/press-kit

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Audrey Clark