Below are answers to common questions about the City of Hobbies 2026 Microgrant. If you have additional questions not covered here, please direct them to info@cityofhobbies.org. Allow up to 36 hours for a response.

What is the City of Hobbies Microgrant?

This is a microgrant opportunity with funds ranging from $250 to $1,500, depending on the age of the applicant.  The City of Hobbies microgrant is part of the larger City of Hobbies project, which pairs research from our youth fellows program and the hobbies survey with microgrants for local hobbyists to share their interests with others, and new events and programs to transform physical spaces into hobby sites for all ages. 

Microgrants help Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents host a hobby experience for their community - whether that's a workshop, a class, a meetup or a clinic - that is free and open to the public.

No grant experience is needed. You just have to have a hobby you’re excited to share and a plan to share it.

Why hobbies?
Because hobbies build confidence, creativity, connection and belonging. They are not necessary to life, but they make life worth living. Every resident deserves the chance to find and develop one or more that bring them joy and purpose.

This program exists to knock down the barriers that keep people, especially young people, from ever trying something new: cost, access, time and awareness of hobby opportunities. We want to be a model for other US cities to follow, and set Charlotte up as the best city in the country for hobbies.

What is the breakdown of how much I can apply for?
The program breaks funding into three groups:

• Youth, ages 13-17: $250 to $1,000, with a parent or guardian co-signing and receiving the funds on the applicant's behalf

• Adults, 18 and up (individuals and groups): $500 to $1,500

• Organizations, nonprofits, clubs and businesses: $500 to $1,500

Anyone younger than 13 is ineligible to apply.

Will any distinction be made for grant applications completed by those under 18?
Applicants 13 to 17 can absolutely apply and lead their own idea, but a parent or guardian must co-sign and manage the funds on their behalf. Other than that, ideas will succeed based on their own merit.

What are the critical deadlines of the grant?

• Applications Open: September 21, 2026

• Information Session: September 30, 2026, 4:30pm on Zoom

• Application Deadline: October 28, 2026

• Decisions Announced: November 20, 2026

• Funding Released: Late November

• Projects Take Place: December 2026 - February 2027*
  *NOTE: This date is firm and cannot be extended.

What constitutes a strong application? How will winning grants be chosen?
Strong applications are for programs that are free, welcoming and open to the whole community. They help people try, learn, share or connect through a hobby. They work with the budget and timeline requested and they're led by someone genuinely excited to share what they love.

50% of the applications chosen will be youthled, with those led by individuals of 18 or older and organizations, for-profit and non-profit companies comprising the remaining 50%.

Applications will be judged on the above on a scale of 1 (does not meet standards) to 4 (highly exceeds standards.)* Additional consideration will be given to proposals with:

• A good point of view and narrative

• A date/time place for the event

• A realistic budget

• A defined audience

• A plan for marketing/promotional the event to the community

• A strong team assembled to run the event (for group applications)

• Letter(s) from participating instructors, experts or teachers 

• Letter from a location stating that the date/time of the event is reserved

PLEASE NOTE: Complete applications do not need any of the above, but they do speak to how ready an event is to roll out.

What if my application does not have a location where my event will take place?
Your application will be considered complete even if you do not have a location where your event will take place. You may select the location after your event has been chosen. If you don’t have a location selected/secured, please take time to describe in detail the ideal location for your event. 

Who is reviewing the applications?
Each grant application will be reviewed by multiple members of the review committee, which is made up of diverse individuals representing public, private and philanthropic organizations of Charlotte. The committee will read and score all applications independent of one another and then meet to discuss and ratify each of the winning proposals.

Does it matter if I've received a grant before?
No prior grant history is required or held against an applicant. Every application is judged on its own merits.

May I fill out more than one application?
No. One application will be accepted per lead applicant. If you have a second (or third idea), it must be filed and led by someone else.

What is required in terms of grant performance/evaluation?
During the event, participants fill out a short feedback form. A template will be provided to ensure consistency. After the event, grant recipients complete a brief survey and share a few photos, a participant story or quote and something created or learned along the way. 

Who will disburse the grant?
City of Hobbies microgrants will be distributed by the nonprofit Do Greater Charlotte, as a part of the larger City of Hobbies project. City of Hobbies is supported by The Gambrell Foundation.