In addition to helping individual homeowners, the Historic Chicago Greystone Initiative® works closely with its partners and funders to implement programs aimed at preserving Greystones on a larger-scale. These efforts include developing targeted grants programs, serving as technical assistance resources for community groups, undertaking model building projects, and working with neighborhood residents to get their blocks historically designated. See below for a sampling of current and past projects.
n late 2008, the Midwest Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation partnered with the Historic Chicago Greystone Initiative® to help launch their pilot Cornerstones of Community program. The purpose of the program is to expand outreach regarding historic preservation resources and incentives to communities often underserved by preservation organizations. The initial geographic focus area for the program is the K-Town area of Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood. As part of this effort, the National Trust and the Greytsone Initiative are supporting residents’ efforts to have K-Town listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as developing practical guidance for helping owner’s of historically-designated properties take advantage of the State of Illinois’ Property Tax Assessment Freeze Program for Historic Residences. As part of the partnership, the National Trust also assisted the Greystone Initiative in producing its new Greystone Design Guidelines Booklet
In late 2009, the Woodlawn Preservation and Investment Corporation (WPIC) and Woodlawn East Community and Neighbors (WECAN) partnered with the Historic Chicago Greystone Initiative® to help implement their Woodlawn Historic Preservation Initiative on Greenwood. The focus of this effort are the 6300 and 6400 blocks of South Greenwood, which feature a mix of Greystone and brick homes set along a curving, tree-lined street. The goal of this emerging program is to deliver an intensive mix of home improvement, weatherization, technical assistance, and historic preservation resources to the blocks to support existing homeowners, beautify the area, and celebrate Woodlawn’s architectural heritage. 
In late 2007, NHS partnered with the JP Morgan Chase Foundation to offer special grants for exterior repairs to Greystones through the Historic Chicago Greystone Initiative®. The grants were targeted to homeowners in the K-Town area of North Lawndale, which is so named for its high number of north-south streets that begin with the letter “K”. NHS and Chase launched the grant program at a press conference featuring William Daley, Midwest Region chairman for JP Morgan Chase, and Ellen Sahly, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Housing, speaking in front of a two flat Greystone at 4147 West 21st Street. Improvements made possible by the grant funds included masonry cleaning and paint removal, masonry repair and repointing, front porch repair or replacement, front door refinishing or replacement, concrete walkway replacement, and new fencing. Repairs to all homes were completed in summer 2009.
In 2007, NHS Redevelopment Corporation and the Historic Chicago Greystone Initiative® began rehab of a small, humble Greystone at 1841 South Spaulding in North Lawndale. The purpose of this model project, commenced in collaboration with the City Design Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Landon Bone Baker Architects, was to explore how this vacant and deteriorated two-flat could be transformed into a fully updated home. Major work areas included duplexing the first floor and basement to create a larger primary residence; maintaining the second floor as separate rental for family unit; updating of all living and building systems; and repair of the Greystone facade. Improvements made to this model Greystone served as a partial basis for The Historic Chicago Greystone: A User’s Guide to Renovating and Maintaining Your Home. NHS RC and the Greystone Initiative celebrated completion of the project in October 2008 with an open house for neighborhood residents.
