Placemaking Grant Program

The Placemaking Grant program is a community-building initiative that supports quick-wins, and transformative projects throughout the city to create, and enhance community vibrancy, safety, and identity through:

Activation of leftover and underutilized spaces
Streetscape improvements
Art and beautification efforts
Creation of community gathering spaces

With the program over five years in, this grant has a total pool of $150,000. It builds upon the opportunities presented in the City’s Placemaking Hub, which provides toolkits to inspire and guide placemaking efforts. These efforts allow neighborhoods, individuals, and businesses to define the character and identity of their communities through community-driven projects with the support of the City of Charlotte Urban Design Center staff.

What is Placemaking?

Placemaking is a word for prioritizing the experience people have as they spend time in public places. Projects work toward enhancing those spaces; making them vibrant and active; and serving the needs, wants and hopes of the communities where they live. The Charlotte Urban Design Center sees placemaking as a collaborative process to better connect community members to the spaces and people around them.

Do you have a specific project idea to address an issue or opportunity in your neighborhood? Below are the types of placemaking projects that will be considered for funding:

Wall murals
Street furniture
Street parking
Painted crosswalks
Bike parking
Playscapes
Swings
Sidewalk Dining
Pop-up plaza/park

Street murals
Painted traffic circles
Programming and events
Bus stop improvements
Green infrastructure
Community agriculture
Signal cabinet wraps
Technical assistance

Thinking about something different? We love new ideas. Other projects will be considered.

Who Can Apply for a Placemaking Grant?

Neighborhood and homeowners' associations
Community organizations
Businesses or merchant organizations.
Individuals with Project Teams
Applicant groups must be significantly composed of people who live within the city of Charlotte limits
If selected, the applicant must be able to meet the City of Charlotte vendor requirements

How Do I Apply for a Placemaking Grant?

The 2025 application period has closed but check back in early 2026 for important information about the next grant cycle. Note that all applications require a letter of support from the community organization where the project is located at the time of submission. Start gathering your materials early!