OYO Partnerships Grant
Creating more opportunities for Charlotte teens doesn’t always mean starting something new. Sometimes, it means investing in what’s already working.
Through the OYO Partnerships Grant, two organizations will receive up to $50,000 each to expand existing programs, remove barriers to participation and create more opportunities for teens ages 13–18 outside of the traditional school day.
Applications are open October 5–November 2, 2026.
Apply Now
Funding can help organizations expand when programs are available, add new experiences, reach more teens or address barriers that make participation difficult.
That could mean…
- Opening your space to teens on Friday or Saturday evenings.
- Adding programming on teacher workdays or other out-of-school days.
- Extending an existing program to serve more teens or offer additional hours.
- Providing transportation so teens can participate.
- Bringing in an instructor or facilitator to add a new experience.
- Helping cover staffing, space, equipment or materials needed to expand what you already offer.
Have something that’s already working for Charlotte teens? OYO wants to help you do more of it.
Who can apply?
Organizations must:
- Currently serve teens ages 13–18 within the City of Charlotte.
- Have an existing youth-serving program, service, space or demonstrated capacity to deliver the proposed programming.
- Have the programmatic, administrative and financial capacity to implement the proposed work and manage City funding.
- Be able to complete the proposed work within the grant period.
Eligible applicants may include nonprofit and community-based organizations, faith-based organizations with youth programming, recreation providers, mentoring and youth development organizations, arts and cultural organizations, education and career-readiness organizations, and others providing structured programming or opportunities for teens.
What can the funding support?
The OYO Partnerships Grant can support a wide range of programs and experiences that help teens connect, learn and explore their interests outside of the traditional school day.
Programming may include recreation, mentoring, leadership development, career exploration and readiness, educational enrichment, postsecondary exposure, civic engagement, arts and culture, wellness, skills development and other youth-development activities.
Eligible expenses may include:
- Additional staff hours
- Contracted instructors, facilitators or specialized services
- Transportation
- Meals associated with funded programming
- Program materials and supplies
- Equipment needed to deliver programming
- Facility or space costs associated with the expansion
- Admission or participation costs
- Outreach and recruitment associated with the expansion
- Other costs necessary to remove barriers to youth participation
OYO funding is intended to supplement the resources an organization already has, not replace or cover the full cost of an existing program.
Key dates
Applications open: Monday, October 5, 2026
Application deadline: Monday, November 2, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Applicant notification: Early December 2026
Grant-funded activities may begin upon execution of the funding agreement and must be completed by July 31, 2027.
Ready to apply?
Before beginning your application, review the OYO Partnerships Grant Application Checklist to make sure you have the information and materials you’ll need.
Apply Now
Questions? Contact Bonnie Quizhpi at bonnie.quizhpi@charlottenc.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need to create a new program to apply?
No. The OYO Partnerships Grant is designed to build on existing youth-serving work. Your proposal might expand an existing program, offer programming at additional times, add new activities or experiences, serve more teens or remove barriers that currently limit participation.
What ages should the proposed program serve?
Proposed programming should serve teens ages 13–18 within the City of Charlotte.
What can OYO Partnerships Grant funds be used for?
Grant funds may be used for reasonable and necessary costs directly connected to the proposed OYO-funded expansion, including:
- Additional staff hours
- Contracted instructors, facilitators or specialized services
- Transportation
- Meals associated with funded youth programming
- Program materials and supplies
- Equipment needed to deliver programming
- Facility or space costs associated with the expansion
- Admission or participation costs
- Outreach or recruitment associated with the expansion
- Costs necessary to remove barriers to youth participation
- Other direct program costs approved by OYO
What can grant funds NOT be used for?
Unless specifically authorized, grant funds may not be used for:
- Costs associated with programs that would occur regardless of OYO funding
- Replacing existing committed funding
- General operating costs not related to the approved expansion
- Expenses incurred before the grant period
- Activities outside the approved scope or budget
- Costs reimbursed by another funding source
- Debt repayment, fines, penalties, late fees or interest
- Alcohol or political campaign activity
- Religious worship or proselytizing
- Unsupported or undocumented expenses
- Capital or permanent facility improvements (unless approved)
- Gifts, prizes or giveaways (unless approved)
Can OYO funding pay for costs our organization is already covering?
No. OYO funding is intended to supplement existing organizational resources, not replace resources already committed to an existing program or operation.
Is a funding match required?
No formal match is required, but applicants must identify the existing resources supporting the proposed effort.
What must we submit with our application?
A complete application includes:
- Completed application
- Scope of Work
- Program Schedule
- Budget and Organizational Investment Summary
- Current organizational budget
- Organizational and legal documentation requested by OYO
When can funded programming begin?
Work may begin after the City agreement is executed. All work must be completed by July 31, 2027.