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Neighborhood Board Retreat (Apply by March 6)

Housing & Neighborhood Services (HNS) is accepting applications for Building a Stronger Board Together, an interactive retreat to help neighborhood boards strengthen teamwork, roles, onboarding, leadership continuity, and community trust.

• Apply as a group (full day): Minimum 4 board members, includes a guided goal-setting session for your neighborhood
• Apply as an individual (half day, morning): For board members attending solo and bringing tools back to their board
• Possible benefit: Eligible groups may earn up to $2,000 in Neighborhood Matching Grant volunteer-hours credit to 7 participants per neighborhood

Deadline: March 6, 11:59 p.m. Space limited, priority to first-time attendees.

Community Partnership Grant (Nonprofits): LOIs Due Feb. 28

A competitive funding opportunity for Charlotte nonprofits partnering with neighborhood-based organizations on projects with measurable neighborhood benefit. LOI window: Jan. 24 to Feb. 28. Note: Nonprofits apply as the fiscal lead.

From Idea to Impact: Community Microgrants in Action

Community Microgrant projects are designed to turn resident ideas into action quickly, and Windsor Park is a recent example. Using $5,000 in Community Microgrant funding, Windsor Park Neighbors purchased 519 board games for every student at Windsor Park Elementary so families could enjoy screen-free time together over winter break. The project also sparked additional resident donations of games and LEGO sets for the school’s library, strengthening the partnership between the neighborhood association and the school.

Want to do something like this in your neighborhood? The Community Microgrant is a citywide option that provides $500 to $5,000 (no match required) for neighborhood-based organizations to complete a resident-led project in about six months. Projects should align with one or more focus areas: Innovation and Sustainability, Community Health and Wellness, or Neighborhood Engagement and Belonging. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through March 1.

Tree Care and Beautification Grants: Neighborhood Projects in Action

This winter, Keep Charlotte Beautiful awarded more than $20,000 to support neighborhood-led projects. Tree Care funding supported invasive species removal and mulching projects in Council Districts 2, 4, and 6 to help protect and strengthen Charlotte’s tree canopy.

Beautification funding supported hands-on community greening: Charlotte Bilingual Preschool is using grant funds to plant native shrubbery and install two raised garden beds, and Zealous Empowering Nurturer (ZEN) is creating pollinator-friendly habitat around its community farm’s apiary.

Share Your Events: CLT Community Calendar

Hosting a meeting, cleanup, workshop, or neighborhood gathering? Post it so neighbors can find it.

Paid Summer Work Experience for Charlotte Teens (MYEP)

The Mayor’s Youth Employment Program (MYEP) connects Charlotte teens with paid, real-world work experience to explore careers and build professional skills.

For teens and families

• Ages 16 to 18
• Paid placements with one employer
• 2-, 4-, or 6-week options
• At least 25 hours per week
• Earn at least $13/hour

For employers and partners
MYEP depends on employers across Charlotte’s private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Ways to get involved:

• Host a student during the summer window
• Sponsor a placement at a local nonprofit
• Offer an industry day or job shadowing
• Serve as a virtual pathway subject matter expert

Employer partners receive city staff support for onboarding and ongoing assistance, plus pre-screening support (such as background and drug screenings), so you do not have to sort through resumes or interviews.

EmpowerTech: Free Digital Skills Workshops (HNS + Smart Charlotte)

Short lessons plus hands-on lab time, dinner provided. Pick the sessions you want, each one is standalone.

• Bring: A laptop if you have one
• Next sessions (6 to 7:30 p.m.):
  • Mar 24: Introduction to AI | Eastway Regional Recreation Center
  • Apr 28: Productivity Tools | Power Up USA (2300 Alleghany St, Charlotte, NC 28208)
  • May 26: Tech Tools for Better Meetings | Allegra Westbrook Regional Library
  • Jun 23: File Management | University City Regional Library
  • Jul 28: Streamlined Digital Communication | Belmont Regional Center

Participants who attend four or more sessions will receive the EmpowerTech Excellence Award, recognizing their dedication to growth, innovation, and effective community leadership.

City-Supported Housing You May Pass Every Day (City Council District 2)

City-supported housing is already part of many neighborhoods, and it often looks like any other apartment community from the street.

Two examples in District 2:

• Abbington on Mt. Holly: 4110 Abbington Holly Dr
• West Downs Apartments: 325 Mattoon St

Learn more about City of Charlotte's affordable housing programs.

Trella Uptown Opens (Mixed-Income Housing)

A new Uptown development mixes affordable and market-rate homes in the same building, with city support to help keep some homes affordable. Trella Uptown includes 353 total units, including 106 affordable homes.

Quality of Life Team Addresses Abandoned Shopping Carts

Since November, the Quality of Life Team has been actively addressing abandoned shopping carts in the University City area, including North Tryon Street, and around Albemarle Road and Harrisburg Road. Team members have been collecting carts left in the public right of way and working with University City Partners and local retailers to reduce the issue at its source. To date, the team has collected more than 500 carts, helping improve safety, mobility and neighborhood appearance.

Bulky Item Pickup Reminder

Schedule bulky item pickup through 311, and place items at the curb no earlier than the day before collection. Read the collection guidelines.

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