SECC Announces the Shirley J. Newsome Beautification Program Grant
June 3, 2025, CHICAGO, IL – The South East Chicago Commission (SECC) is honored to announce The Shirley J. Newsome Beautification Grant Awards for 2025. The program aims to provide micro-grants to neighborhood organizations and groups to support beautification and revitalization projects that enhance the physical attractiveness and quality of life within Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, Washington Park and Woodlawn communities.
Since 1999, the SECC has collectively granted more than $1,000,000 in beautification funds. For 2025, the SECC received a large gift from a very generous individual donor, alongside a gift from the Hyde Park Garden Fair, and private donations from our annual A Night at the Theatre fundraising event, to graciously support this year’s projects.
“The SECC has worked to build communities from the inside out with strategic micro-investments that impact not only the neighborhoods we serve but also the neighbors themselves. Ultimately, we are working collectively to attract investments to the community at large” stated Diane Burnham, Executive Director for the SECC.
The SECC and Community Selection Committee are honored to announce six community awards for 2025. The grant selection committee, comprised of community members from the five footprint neighborhoods, selected the following community groups for the strength of their proposals and the breadth of potential impact:
- Future Ties, NFP (Woodlawn) – The “Community Corner Pocket Parks” project will involve transforming three corners into inviting green spaces. Teens from the summer workforce development program will lead the design and implementation of these spaces, installing flowers, decorative planters, painted planter boxes with uplifting quotes, and community message boards. Location: 6300-6600 S King Drive.
- Kenwood Park Advisory Council (KPAC) (Kenwood)– KPAC’s “Nature Play Space” will reimagine an underused, fenced grassy area adjacent to the splash pad as a fully immersive, all-natural environment where children can explore, learn and play. Rather than standard metal and plastic equipment, the area will be composed entirely of natural elements: sticks and stones for loose-parts exploration, fallen logs for balancing, shallow tunnels woven from branches, and simple frames that invite den building and imaginative construction. Location: East 49th Street & S. Dorchester Ave.
- Mollie’s Greenhouse & Garden (Woodlawn)– Launched in 2024, Mollie’s Greenhouse & Garden has quickly become a hub for food, education, and community in Woodlawn. “The Pollinator Pathway Project” will create a visible, vibrant pollinator pathway that will run along the side and front of the Woodlawn Community Food Pantry—transforming the entire block into a continuous, pollinator-friendly landscape. Location: 500 block of East 67th St.
- South Prairie Neighbors (Washington Park)– “The Prairie Urban Garden” is a beautification and community activation initiative that will transform a long-neglected vacant lot adjacent to our building into a thriving, seasonal garden. The project includes six raised beds for vegetables and herbs, shaded seating, composting, and educational signage. The garden will be maintained by residents and volunteers, with produce distributed to neighbors at-cost or free, promoting food access and neighborhood engagement. Location: 6030 S Prairie Ave.
- Urban Juncture Foundation (Washington Park) –“The Bronzeville Community Garden” will undergo a revitalization enhancing the sidewalk-facing edge of the garden to improve its visibility, safety, and long-term sustainability. This includes a plan to repaint and repair the existing fence with support from local artists and community volunteers and install natural stone edging along the front of the garden to improve walkability. Location: 343-347 E 51st St.
- Woodlawn Botanical Nature Center (Woodlawn)– “The Woodlawn Botanical Garden” project brings to completion the shade garden on the front south side of the garden space. The project will install a water pond next to the Chinese Bridge with Lotus flowers in the pond. Lastly, the project will install a pergola in the sitting area of the garden to encourage hands on learning activities for students of all ages. Location: 6300 S. Stony Island Ave.
March 31, 2025, CHICAGO, IL – The South East Chicago Commission (SECC) with thanks from a private donation, we are excited to release the 2025 Shirley J. Newsome Beautification Program Grant application.
Formerly known as the Neighborhood Enhancement Grant, the program focuses on enhancing the physical attractiveness and walkability of Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, Washington Park and Woodlawn. Since 1999, nearly $1.5 million dollars has been granted to over 200 projects representing community and faith-based organizations, block clubs, neighborhood schools, and park advisory councils to support neighborhood enhancement projects.
The program pays homage to former SECC Board President and community leader Shirley J. Newsome, who joined the SECC Board of Directors in 2006. For nearly 15 years, Ms. Newsome provided valuable insight, expertise, and guidance on how micro-grants were dispersed. She directly impacted over 120 projects during her involvement with the program. Ms. Newsome served on the SECC Executive Board and on the Advisory Board through her passing in December 2022.
Diane Burnham, Executive Director of the SECC, stated, “SECC is thrilled to announce another season on providing valuable microgrants into the communities. We plan to continue to amplify Ms. Newsome’s vision in changing the landscape of vacant lots and other public spaces and working to change the narrative of Chicago’s South Side through placemaking efforts.”
The Grant Application is open now through Thursday May 1, 2025. Awards are based upon the proposed project, with a maximum grant amount of $5,000 per organization. Proposed projects must:
- Be highly visible from the street
- Be completed between June 2nd – October 27th, 2025
- Physically enhance and build on the uniqueness and character of the neighborhood
- Strengthen civic pride and a strong sense of community
- Be sustainable
- Be located within one of the SECC’s five footprint neighborhoods (Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, Woodlawn, or Washington Park)
Each proposal will be reviewed by a committee comprised of representatives from the community areas and the SECC.
Application deadline is Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Examples of Funded Projects
The following are a few examples of previously funded projects:
- Muddy Waters MOJO Museum – Muddy Waters MOJO Museum Front Yard/Vacant Lot Beautification performed a series of maintenance and improvement efforts for the MOJO house front yard at 4329 S Lake Park Avenue, including the installation of flowers in planters, landscaping maintenance, and temporary fencing. This beautification has generated excitement for the opening of the MOJO Healing Garden and Museum. (Oakland)
- First Presbyterian Church of Chicago – The First Presbyterian Church of Chicago Beautification Project installed shrubs and featured sculptural works from artists-in-residence in the area surrounding its soon-to-be-restored greenhouse affixed to the church. The project involved landscaping and installation of new flower beds and seating to create a publicly accessible community greenspace. (Woodlawn)
- Oakland Cultural Alliance – Oakland Museum and Garden Preservation rebuilt and refurbished public bench seating and replaced fencing areas surrounding sunflower plantings at the site of the Oakland Museum to allow for continual community use. (Oakland)
For more information, please contact the South East Chicago Commission via email at outreach@secc-chicago.org to learn more about this exciting opportunity.
About South East Chicago Commission (SECC)
In Partnership with the Hyde Park Garden Fair
