Building Together: How Microgrants Will Strengthen Hamilton in 2026
Every year, Hamilton’s 17 neighborhoods show what’s possible when residents have the freedom, funding, and support to dream big. As we move into 2026, the 17STRONG Microgrant Program continues to stand as one of the most effective tools for empowering neighbors to create meaningful, people-centered change. These small grants, typically between $500 and $2,500, help residents transform ideas into real, shared experiences that make our community stronger, more connected, and more vibrant.
A Look Back: Microgrants in Action in 2025
The past year demonstrated the incredible range and creativity of projects made possible through microgrants. From cultural festivals to neighborhood gatherings, residents used funding to build community pride and elevate the unique identity of their neighborhoods.
Hamilton Hispanic Festival
This event brought thousands together to celebrate Hispanic culture through food, music, art, and dance. The microgrant helped organizers expand programming, elevate local vendors, and create a family-friendly environment that showcased the cultural richness within Hamilton.Jefferson Neighborhood Fiesta
In the heart of Jefferson, neighbors gathered to celebrate community, culture, and connection. The Fiesta brought residents together across generations, strengthening relationships and encouraging deeper neighborhood engagement.Dayton Lane & German Village Dinner En Blanc
Inspired by the concept of elegant, pop-up dining experiences, these two historic neighborhoods collaborated on a joint Dinner En Blanc. The microgrant supported décor, lighting, and logistics, transforming shared spaces into a magical, community-focused evening.Blues on Bailey
A brand-new addition to Hamilton’s neighborhood events, Blues on Bailey brought soulful live music and residents together for an evening that transformed Bailey Square into a lively, welcoming gathering space. The microgrant helped organizers secure musicians, enhance the event setup, and create a comfortable environment where neighbors could relax, mingle, and enjoy music close to home.Lindenwald Porch Fest
A newer Hamilton tradition, Porch Fest uses front porches as stages for live local music. Microgrant support helped expand the number of participating homes, amplify artists, and deepen Lindenwald’s spirit of hospitality and creativity.
These examples show how microgrants act as sparks, showcasing the power of residents working together. The outcomes are diverse, but the purpose is consistent: building stronger neighborhoods from within.
How Microgrants Strengthen Community Life
The beauty of the 17STRONG Microgrant Program lies in its flexibility and accessibility. Any resident living in one of the 17 neighborhoods can apply, individually or as part of a group. The only requirement: the project must benefit the entire neighborhood, not just a single household. This keeps the grant focused on the collective good, whether that’s beautification, public safety, engagement, or celebration.
The review process encourages collaboration, too. Applicants gather signatures from fellow residents, building early support and ensuring projects reflect shared interests. This step transforms ideas from “one person’s dream” into “the neighborhood’s plan,” creating stronger buy-in, turnout, and continuity once the project launches.
Because of this framework, microgrants have empowered residents to:
Bring neighbors together across cultures, interests, and generations
Create shared experiences that deepen belonging
Beautify public spaces and strengthen neighborhood identity
Improve safety and visibility
Launch or expand yearly traditions that become part of Hamilton’s story
Looking Ahead: Opportunities in 2026
With the new year comes new opportunities and new ideas waiting to take shape. In 2026, we anticipate even more residents stepping forward with creative visions for their neighborhoods. Possibilities include:
Cultural celebrations
Youth engagement projects
Pocket-park or alleyway revitalization
Collaborative cross-neighborhood events
Safety enhancements and lighting projects
Cleanup and beautification efforts
New porch fests, pop-up markets, or community dinners
If this past year proved anything, it’s that residents already have the ideas; they just need the support to bring them to life. And that’s exactly what microgrants are designed to do.
Your Neighborhood. Your Idea. Your Impact.
Whether you want to host a family-friendly event, revitalize a shared space, celebrate your neighborhood’s culture, or build stronger connections among neighbors, the Microgrant Program is here to help you get started. Big change doesn’t always require big budgets; it requires committed neighbors with a vision and the willingness to make it happen.
As 2026 begins, we invite every Hamilton resident to dream boldly and consider applying for a 17STRONG Microgrant. The next great neighborhood tradition might start with your idea.
The above article was written by 17STRONG Board member and Microgrant Ambassador, Dayton Lane neighbor, Bethany Spaeth.
December Community Events Update
Check out our monthly event update and get involved in the 17STRONG movement with your neighbors!
The Second Ward Heritage Walk: Pride of Place
The bronze Gothic spire with its 8 foot gold-tipped cross soars 175 feet towards heaven, a symbol of the hopes and dreams, faith and struggles of 19th century German immigrants to Hamilton. Constructed in the year the Civil War ended, St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, a Romanesque-Gothic landmark, remains a physical symbol of both the American immigrant experience, and the changing demographics of 20th and 21st century Hamilton, Ohio. The church occupies a prominent location in the heart of what is still known as The Second Ward, also known as Southeast but which recently took on the name Riverview neighborhood, delineated by Pershing Avenue to the north, Knightsbridge Drive to the south, U.S. 127 to the east, and the river to the west. Central Avenue runs diagonally through the neighborhood.
The idea for a heritage walk came from the need to educate people about their neighborhoods and to instill community pride. The Riverview Walk grew from neighborhood community conversations spearheaded by residents Candice White and Angela Jarrett. The goal was to highlight the historic and cultural significance of the Riverview neighborhood by creating a walking tour of the neighborhood with sites open to the public. It was truly a neighborhood effort with tremendous help from Candice White, Josephine Anderson, Archie Johnson, Anne Marie Barth, Coe Wilburn, Angela Jarrett, Bob Harris, Peter Engelhard, and Ebony Brock, along with Brad Spurlock, Sara Silva, Adriana Reyes, and Kat Steele.
Historic sites were identified and researched. Host sites were identified, a passport was created for participants, and food and live entertainment was provided at BTW. In many ways this event was a continuation of the Blues on Bailey summer music series and combined history, education, and community fellowship. Host sites included: Riverview Elementary School, Second Baptist Church, St. Joseph’s Church and School, Bailey Square, St. Phillip’s CME Church, Payne Chapel AME Church, Beacon Pointe Homes, and Booker T. Washington Community Center. In addition, an interactive map was produced featuring former homes and businesses of the historic Second Ward.
Participants were excited to learn about the history and cultural significance of the neighborhood and the people who made it such an important part of Hamilton’s rich and diverse history. It is hoped that the experiences of this first 17 Strong Neighborhood Heritage Walk can be replicated in other Hamilton neighborhoods, helping both educate and bring pride in the places people call home.
This article written by Chris Maraschiello, 17STRONG Board Member, History & Education Subcommittee, Teacher at Hamilton Freshman School, and resident of Taft Place/Governor’s Hill Neighborhood
Photo by Michael D. Clark/Journal-News
November Community Events Update
Check out our monthly event update and get involved in the 17STRONG movement with your neighbors!
Have something to add and share with the 17STRONG community? Use our Contact Form and let us know you have something to share!
October Community Events Update
Check out our monthly event update and get involved in the 17STRONG movement with your neighbors!
Beyond the Mission Statement
Pride in Place has been established to give proper recognition to those businesses and organizations that help make Hamilton worthwhile.
Have you heard? A new 17STRONG initiative has arrived! An initiative aiming to make the City of Hamilton an even stronger and better place to live and work. As a movement, 17STRONG has focused its attention primarily on each neighborhood of the city, but what about the businesses and organizations that are also part of those neighborhoods and make up the city?
In August, the Greater Chamber of Commerce opened its doors, and twenty individuals from the city met for the first time to discuss that very topic. Those in attendance represented big and small businesses, non-profit organizations, local government, and churches from the neighborhoods. Individuals with a collective sense of making Hamilton better.
Pride in Place has been established to give proper recognition to those businesses and organizations that help make Hamilton worthwhile. This initiative isn’t to highlight the work or services being provided daily; no, this initiative is to bring attention to the work beyond the work. Nor is it a popularity contest, as it won’t matter if a company has one person or a thousand. Whether they are well-known or unknown. What will matter is that those who actively create welcoming spaces, who constantly provide great examples of tidiness, and show up daily in this regard, even without recognition, are finally brought forward for their efforts.
A better Hamilton is a group effort, and 17STRONG is seeking strong partners in this endeavor. Businesses and organizations that promote clean, safe, and inviting properties, participate in community clean-ups, engage in local events, or those companies whose culture promotes volunteerism and community building. These efforts should be known.
For this initiative to be meaningful and something that lasts for many years, it will need your support. Your support is essential in recognizing those businesses and organizations. Although Pride In Place is just beginning, it isn’t too early to start the recognition process using the Pride in Place Nomination Form. If you have a business, organization, or church in mind already, take a moment to recognize them.
Recognition and public acknowledgement of these efforts can have a lasting impact. Those recognized will be highlighted in a monthly social media feature and receive a distinct door display visible to every customer. And the most outstanding in their neighborly actions will receive an award at the annual Neighborhood Summit. This recognition demonstrates how their values stretch beyond the mission statement.
The above article was written by 17STRONG Communications Committee Member and Millikin neighbor, Chris Norton.
Welcome to 17STRONG Stories!
Welcome to 17STRONG Stories! Featuring good news stories from your neighbors in the 17 neighborhoods of Hamilton.
We’re excited to bring you 17STRONG updates and news via this blog page. Each month, you’ll find good news stories from your neighbors, serving as 17STRONG board and committee members. Along with your regular Monthly Minute through the Department of Neighborhoods, we’ll be sharing events and opportunities on how you can get involved with the movement.
17STRONG exists to create a sense of belonging by building space for all Hamilton residents to come together and connect, to strengthen relationships within and between all 17 neighborhoods, and to support neighborhood pride and growth by promoting resident love for and involvement in their communities, driving positive change throughout the city.
If you’d like to contribute your good news story, maybe it’s a friend that has helped your neighborhood that deserves recognition, or a special community event that raised awareness or resources for a good cause, or you would like to draw attention to an issue that has had a happy ending, feel free to send us your story, under 500 words long to: 17scommunications@hamilton-oh.gov