Block Builders’ founder: A sense of community has been reborn in Fulton
By Stefan Yablonski
Linda Eagan is celebrating a small milestone this year that has produced huge results.
“Since Fulton Block Builder’s start in 2017, it has awarded 1,739 Block Challenge, Paint Fulton and Pride Grants,” the organization’s founder said. “Four and a half million dollars has been invested in Fulton’s participating properties since our start!”
Fulton Block Builders is a program that generates neighborhood pride and helps homeowners and property owners recover part of the cost of their exterior property investment. The core feature of this approach is to build on strengths rather than just fix weaknesses, Eagan said.
Last year was another successful year for the program, Eagan added. In 2025, FBB awarded 156 grants through the Block Challenge, Paint Fulton and Pride Grant programs supporting 165 properties spread throughout the city. For every dollar invested by FBB, property owners invested 4.2 times that amount.
“I never was Fulton Block Builders all by myself; we always had a team of about 20 volunteers. They really did all the great work,” she said. “We started in 2017; this is our 10th year. We are trying to do extra fun things to celebrate the year.”
A life of service
“I am originally from the west side of Rochester. But we moved here from Seattle, Washington, in 1987,” she said. “Most of my adult life, after I raised the kids, I worked for Oswego County BOCES. I was the coordinator of the teen pregnancy prevention program for the county. I did that for about 18 years. We had great success in lowering the number of teens that were getting pregnant in the county.
“Then I went to work for OCO for a couple of years and they lost funding. So, I went to work for Oswego County Health Department. I was the compliance officer there for about five years. In those five years I started Block Builders. After a couple of years of Block Builders, I said, ‘I really don’t think I can do both of these jobs.’ It was pretty taxing on me. So, I decided to retire from the county — although I loved working for the county!”
She retired to dedicate herself to her family — and Block Builders.
“In 2016, when the decline and lack of confidence in Fulton seemed to dominate the conversation, I felt compelled to do something,” she explained. “Block Builders began by focusing on what was already going well and building on that success, rather than trying to fix what was broken.”
Funding
“We raise between $50,000 and $75,000 each year locally from our businesses, from past participants, individuals and civic groups. We raise that much money and then Shineman Foundation matches us two to one. This year again they have promised another $100,000. This year is another year of a five-year grant that Shineman has given to us [and the Oswego Renaissance Association]. So, we know that we will have that match from them as long as we continue to raise the money over these next five years. That takes a lot of worry off of us,” she said.
“Those [projects] are not all unduplicated; we do a lot of peoples’ more than once,” she explained. “They can apply for two years, then we ask that they take at least a one-year break to let the wonderfulness spread around the city. We have funded quite a few properties many times over. We had a lot of work to do when we first got started. It is paying off; there is no question it is paying off.”
Some areas of the city are seeing a lot of activity and some areas of the city are seeing not as much.
“We have really been trying to get out there and talk to those council people and those residents. If you don’t have big projects to do then you can meet with your neighbors and do small projects — plant some flowers on your porch, do a little bit of landscaping, re-seed that yard — anything like that,” she said. “What I am most proud of is the sense of community that has been reborn in Fulton.”
When they deliver checks “[people] are thrilled to have us tour their neighborhood, their house inside and outside. They go on and on and it doesn’t matter where we are in the city — they live in the best part of the city. Every neighborhood has that much pride,” she said. “I thought I knew all the neighbors, actually, I thought I knew everybody in the city — believe it or not participating in block builders, I have met a lot more people that I didn’t realize that I didn’t know. Last year we had one block adopt an elderly gentleman’s home and they helped with indoors and landscaping and some painting for him. That has happened on more than on occasion. That’s great, a great success for us.”
Slowing down
“I’m slowing down. I’m 72, I’m definitely slowing down. I don’t get as much done in a 24-hour period that I did when the numbers were reversed — when I was 27,” she said with a laugh. “But if you love what you do, it’s not really work. That is very true and I’m very, very proud of the Block Builder program and very happy with the results that we see in the city. How can you not keep working at it?
“I make a point every week that I spend several hours just for Linda. So that might mean going to yoga classes or going to the Y.”
This winter, Eagan went back to downhill skiing.
“I only did it once. I have had both my knees replaced. So, it was a big deal to get back out there on the slopes again,” she said. “I also like to hike. I hike up in the Adirondacks. We have a lot of land, so I hike out back on our property as well. That is a great joy for me, just walking, you know. There are a number of different things that I do to make sure that I am taking care of myself.
“The winter has been a little long in the tooth this year. But I do love the four seasons. It is the end of winter, so I am getting tired of winter. Even the end of summer I am getting tired of summer. I look forward to fall. I do love the four seasons. I would have trouble living somewhere that it was constantly the same all year round.”
FBB offer special 10th anniversary grants
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Fulton Block Builders announced a special neighborhood grant to any and all past recipient groups for amounts between $1,000 and $10,000.
A 10th Anniversary Pride Grant is a request for funds between $1,000 and $10,000 to enhance life in the city of Fulton.
All projects should benefit the community, all projects should be visible to the community and all projects must be maintained over time.
Any group that has completed at least one successful neighborhood Block Challenge Grant in the past nine years may apply.
At least five neighborhood households must apply together. Only one 10th Anniversary Pride Grant can be awarded per group.
To apply visit www.fultonblockbuilders.com and click on the Pride Grants tab to download the application.
Lifelines
Name: Linda Eagan
Position: Fulton Block Builder founder
Birth Date: Feb. 17, 1954
Birth Place: Rochester
Residence: Volney
Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in social work and criminal justice; master’s level guidance counseling
Affiliations: Member of several nonprofit boards
Personal: Married with three children and four grandchildren
Hobbies: Fulton Block Builders, hiking, entertaining and family
