ASC Culture Blocks for Organizations in North Carolina

Culture Blocks for Non-Profit Organizations is administered by the Arts & Science Council, Charlotte-Mecklenburg's Local Arts Agency and a cultural catalyst focused on arts, sciences, and culture. Culture Blocks is funded by Mecklenburg County and administered by the Arts & Science Council in partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Libraries and Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation. The program is intended to remove barriers to access and connect communities across Mecklenburg County with free arts, science, and history experiences, particularly in historically underserved neighborhoods with limited opportunities or access to these experiences. Culture Blocks supports cultural experiences shaped by residents and delivered close to where they live through public libraries, recreation centers, parks, and other community spaces. Supported programming may include, but is not limited to, workshops and experiences in visual arts, dance, theater, writing, photography, culinary arts, music classes, film screenings, concerts, festivals, and multicultural events. Programs serve neighborhoods in Charlotte as well as the towns of Cornelius, Huntersville, Davidson, Matthews, Mint Hill, and Pineville. Programming funded through this cycle must take place between January 1 and December 31, 2027. Applicants may request no more than $40,000. Culture Blocks awards may be partially funded depending on available resources and the program's objective of providing a variety of programming across the community. The source does not state a minimum award, total program funding amount, number of awards, or a required cost share or matching contribution. Funding decisions consider access across partner facilities, diversity of age groups and program types, alignment with Block population size, and the significant role of local creatives and nonprofits in providing programming near where residents live. The opportunity is presented for nonprofit organizations. Culture Blocks has implemented a one-application-per-cycle policy intended to support a more equitable review process and fair distribution of funding across the community. Applicants are encouraged to submit their strongest proposal during the cycle. The supplied source does not provide additional nonprofit qualification requirements, tax status requirements, fiscal sponsorship provisions, organizational size requirements, or other detailed organizational eligibility restrictions. Applications are submitted through the Arts & Science Council's online application system, Blackbaud. The application is free. The application period opens Monday, July 13, 2026, and the final deadline is Monday, August 17, 2026, at noon Eastern Time. Resources identified for applicants include an Application Questions Nonprofit Organization Template and the Official CB Nonprofit Budget Template. Staff will receive draft applications and budgets by email between May 12 and August 7 at 5 p.m. Applicants may reserve only one feedback meeting time slot. Information sessions are offered before and during the application period, but the supplied source does not state that attendance at an information session or participation in a draft review is required for submission or advancement. Funding decisions consider community access, diversity of age groups and program types, alignment with Block population size, and the role of local creatives and nonprofits in delivering programs close to residents. Applicants will be notified of approval or decline in early October 2026. Approved programming must occur between January 1 and December 31, 2027. Questions about Culture Blocks may be directed to cultureblocks@artsandscience.org, while questions about Blackbaud accounts may be directed to grants@artsandscience.org. The supplied source does not provide a named individual contact or telephone number and does not explicitly establish that this funding opportunity recurs annually or on another fixed schedule.

Attend info sessions and submit draft by August 1. Only one application allowed; prioritize best proposal.