JAN September Board Recap: Adopt-a-Block, Fall Programming and Neighborhood Engagement

The Jackson Association of Neighborhoods (JAN) hosted its monthly board meeting on Monday, September 14, at Urban Studio, courtesy of Downtown Jackson Partners.

Adopt-a-Block Microgrants

Dr. Francine Sutton, Director of the City of Jackson Innovation Team, joined us again to present the upcoming Adopt-a-Block Neighborhood Beautification Microgrant Program. Applications open September 24, 2026, with $22,000 available for direct neighborhood investment through up to 37 microgrants.

Awards include five Transformational Project Awards of up to $1,000, 12 Community Impact Awards of up to $750, 12 Neighborhood Starter Awards of up to $500, and eight Neighborhood Quick Win Awards of up to $250. Funding may support projects such as landscaping, community gardens, neighborhood signage, vacant-lot beautification, litter removal, illegal dumping cleanup, and other neighborhood improvement efforts.

Applicants must be City of Jackson residents, and projects must be located within Jackson. Eligible applicants include individuals, as well as residents affiliated with neighborhood associations, faith-based organizations, nonprofits, and registered businesses.

Dr. Sutton emphasized that Adopt-a-Block is about more than one-time cleanup efforts. The program is designed to place resources directly into residents’ hands, helping neighborhoods organize projects, engage their neighbors, and develop plans for ongoing maintenance and stewardship. The larger goal is to encourage residents to take greater ownership of their surroundings and help keep Jackson’s neighborhoods clean, connected, and beautiful.

JAN Board Business

Board discussion focused on JAN’s fall programming, including plans to participate in community events such as National Night Out while also developing JAN-led events and initiatives. The board also discussed relaunching JAN’s Neighborhood Night Out programming as part of a broader effort to increase neighborhood engagement, visibility, and opportunities for residents to connect.

The board also discussed JAN’s newly relaunched membership program, which is designed to provide neighborhood associations, residents, and community partners with practical resources and greater opportunities to connect. Membership benefits include leadership training, toolkits and templates, early notice and support for funding opportunities, priority access to JAN-led programs and initiatives, networking and collaboration with other neighborhood associations, recognition and promotional opportunities, resource sharing, community service opportunities, and the ability to use the “JAN Partner” badge for outreach and marketing. The program is intended to strengthen neighborhood leadership while making it easier for members to access the tools, information, and partnerships needed to support their communities.

JAN, in partnership with the City of Jackson, will update its neighborhood database to ensure more accurate and current information about Jackson’s neighborhoods. The database will include neighborhood names, boundaries, and neighborhood leadership, with a goal of completing the update by December.

Other topics included establishing JAN office hours in collaboration with the Jackson Redevelopment Authority’s Coworking Wednesdays, exploring ways to make JAN more accessible and available to neighborhoods, and planning a community lighting event focused on identifying and collectively reporting streetlights that are out across Jackson neighborhoods.

JAN’s next board meeting is scheduled for October 5.

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Interested in strengthening your neighborhood? Join the Jackson Association of Neighborhoods and become part of a citywide network of residents, neighborhood associations, businesses, and community partners working together to build stronger communities. JAN members receive access to leadership training, resources and toolkits, funding opportunities, networking, collaborative initiatives, and other member benefits.