Donate to Help Fuel
Charlotte’s Next Big Idea
Your $250 gift can change a creative’s life.
Every month, Charlotte Is Creative awards Helpful Unfettered Gifts, or H.U.G.s, to help local artists, makers, and creative entrepreneurs take their next step. Try something new. Move a career forward.
Each H.U.G. is a $250 micro-grant that clears a small obstacle, like supplies, space rental, or the launch of a project, program, service, or product that might otherwise stall.
Since 2017, with support from private citizens and corporate donors, CIC has awarded more than 600 H.U.G.s to creatives across Mecklenburg County. Many of Charlotte’s standout creative businesses and artists started right here, with a single H.U.G.
Donate or Sponsor a H.U.G.
Your gift puts real money directly into a creative’s hands, fueling new ideas, local jobs, and the creative energy that keeps Charlotte thriving.
What’s a H.U.G.?
There’s a first time for everything. And, to do it, you’ll need an idea, a plan, a budget, confidence, luck and, possibly, A H.U.G.
A H.U.G. (Helpful Unfettered Gift) is a $250 micro-grant awarded monthly to help Charlotte creatives move “a first” – a new project, product or performance they’ve never done before forward. H.U.G.s are open to both for-profit and nonprofit ideas that strengthen Charlotte’s creative community.
H.U.G.s can fund:
- Materials or equipment allowing you to do new work
- Space rental or permits
- Marketing, design, or printing
- Legal or professional services
- Prototype or production costs
- Start-up costs for a new event
How It Works
- Apply right here — it takes about 10 minutes.
- If selected, you get $250 — no strings attached — to move your idea ahead.
- Share your story and inspire the next creative.
- Apply for a H.U.G.
Need some advice on the best practices for applying? Here you go!
COMING SOON: Meet last month’s H.U.G. grantees
Get a HUG
The Extra Squeeze
Each month, one H.U.G. recipient from the previous month is selected for an Extra Squeeze — an additional $250 and a custom promotional package thanks to our partners at Bogues Group, SpringClean Global, Charlotte Five and Charlotte Is Creative.
You can’t apply for it — it’s our way of giving an extra lift to a creative who’s going above and beyond.
PLEASE DONATE.
Charlotte needs creative ideas and projects.
Creative ideas and projects need finances to move forward.
And, the creatives behind them need to know they’re seen, appreciated, and supported.
In short, they need a HUG. And, that’s where you can help! Your donation makes this program possible.
Thank you for supporting the HUG Program!
We know. It’s hard to resist. Give in! Give a HUG.
85% of your donation goes directly into a creative’s hands so they can get started making something amazing. DONATE HERE.Creativity, for me, came from the rawest, most emotional space and lived experience. Receiving a HUG was the monetary seedling I needed to create a peer-led community for bereaved young people. A community that fosters creativity and provides hope and support while on their education journey, whatever that may be. The same community I wish I had when I lost my parents.