Apply for a Community Transit Engagement Stipend – due Aug 17
Sustain Charlotte is excited to offer Community Transit Engagement Stipends to neighborhood-based organizations across Mecklenburg County.
We're looking for organizations that already have trusted relationships with residents and can help ensure their voices are heard as major transit decisions are made over the coming months.
Whether your neighborhood is concerned about bus service, rail projects, bus stops, safety, affordability, displacement, or simply wants better information about what's happening, we want to support your efforts to engage residents.
What are the stipends?
Organizations may receive $1,000-$3,000 to support community outreach and engagement related to transit planning and decision-making.
These awards are intended to help neighborhood organizations ensure their residents are informed about and engaged in the Mecklenburg Public Transit Authority's (MPTA) work as major transit decisions are made. Funding can support creative, community-driven efforts that educate residents, gather their feedback, and reduce barriers to participating in public meetings and other engagement opportunities. Together, we can help ensure transit decisions reflect the voices and needs of communities across Mecklenburg County.
By “transit”, we mean local public bus, train, and special transportation services run by CATS and managed by the MPTA. Due to the nature of these awards, they cannot be spent to advocate for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure alone.
Funding may be used for activities such as:
- Childcare or transportation assistance so residents can attend local government meetings related to public transit in person
- Printed newsletters, flyers, or other educational materials regarding public transit plans
- Translation or interpretation services
- Food and/or venue rental for community gatherings to learn about and provide input on public transit plans
- Social media or digital outreach related to public transit meetings, information, or engagement opportunities
- Other creative ideas that help residents learn about and engage in public transit planning
These are only examples to get you thinking.
You know your community best. We're intentionally leaving room for creative, neighborhood-driven ideas that help residents participate in ways that make sense for your organization.
Sustain Charlotte will provide shareable updates about transit projects, public meetings, and engagement opportunities that you may use in your own communications. You're also welcome to create and share your own content.
Who can apply?
Any neighborhood-based organization serving Mecklenburg County is encouraged to apply, including:
- Neighborhood associations
- Resident-led groups
- Community organizations
- Other neighborhood-serving organizations
Organizations do not have to be a 501(c)(3) to apply. HOAs must have a policy and demonstrated record of meaningfully engaging renters in addition to owners.
Timeline
- Applications due: Monday, August 17 at 11:59PM Eastern
- Awards announced by early September
- Funds must be spent by December 31, 2026
- A brief follow-up report (approximately 15-20 minutes to complete) will be required after funds are spent.
How awards will be made
Sustain Charlotte expects to award approximately $25,000 total.
Individual stipends will generally range from $1,000-$3,000, depending on:
- Number of applications received
- Geographic diversity
- Proposed activities
- Community need
- Available funding
Our goal is to support a diverse group of neighborhood organizations across Mecklenburg County.
If you would like to preview the full list of application questions prior to completing the online application (linked at the button above), download the pdf: