City of Charlotte Opens Applications for 2025 Creative Growth Grants
Published on June 16, 2025
Funding Available for Local Artists and Grassroots Arts Organizations Across Mecklenburg County
Exciting news for Charlotte’s creative community — starting Thursday, June 19, the City of Charlotte will open applications for the 2025 Creative Growth Grants, a public funding initiative designed to fuel local talent, celebrate culture, and support the people and organizations making art in our neighborhoods.
Three types of grants are available, ranging from $2,500 to $25,000, for grassroots arts nonprofits and individual creatives living and working in Mecklenburg County. The program is open to individual artists shaping the Charlotte area’s cultural future through their work — poets and spoken word artists, dancers, musicians, storytellers, theatrical producers, textile artists, and more.
"These grants are reflective of the city's ongoing and eager support of Charlotte's creative community," said Mayor Vi Lyles. "We are committed to strengthening our arts and culture ecosystem and fueling the creativity that exists in every corner of the Queen City."
The grants support projects, professional development and operational needs that align with the Charlotte Arts and Culture Plan accepted by the Charlotte City Council in 2023, aiming to deepen community engagement, promote equity and strengthen the local creative economy.
The application deadline is Monday, Aug. 4, at 5 p.m. ET. For full details, including eligibility and application support, please visit CLTgov.me/CGG.
Who Can Apply
- Grassroots arts and culture nonprofits based in Mecklenburg County.
- Individual creatives who live in Mecklenburg County and apply with a fiscal sponsor (a nonprofit organization that agrees to provide its tax-exempt status, administrative support and financial management to another group or individual that does not have tax-exempt status; does not need to be arts-related or local).
- Ineligible: For-profit companies and individuals without a fiscal sponsor. Organizations that received FY 2025–2026 operating funds via FFTC may apply only as collaborators.
Application materials and program information are available in English and Spanish. Free coaching and info sessions are available to help applicants every step of the way.
Support for Applicants
To ensure broad community access and understanding, the City of Charlotte and partner organization Charlotte Is Creative, working with other community organization, are offering free information sessions, workshops and one-on-one coaching throughout the summer to help applicants prepare to apply:
- Virtual Info Session (bilingual): June 19, noon to 1:30 p.m. ET.
- Live Q & A Sessions: June 27 and July 8, noon to 12:30 p.m. ET.
- In-person Grant Workshop: July 14, 6–9 p.m. at the Independent Picture House.
- Virtual Grant Workshop: July 16, 6–8 p.m.
- Individual Grant Coaching: Available starting June 19 on a first-come, first-served basis.
All sessions are free. To register or access recorded sessions of the events above, visit CLTgov.me/CGG.