Partnership supports local arts and culture organizations

Our community's arts and culture nonprofits have an audience participation of residents and visitors totalling more than 2 million per year. In addition, Charlotte’s cultural sector employs thousands of full-time workers and generates an annual economic impact of $360 million, while its education programs for children and youth are nationally recognized.

With local arts and culture nonprofits devastated by $50 million in lost revenues due to the effects of the pandemic, Foundation For The Carolinas led a campaign to raise $18 million from the private sector to create the Infusion Fund to support Charlotte’s cultural community, ultimately raising $23 million from generous donors. The City of Charlotte will match the original $18 million fundraising goal for a total of $41 million over three years.

By committing to match $18 million raised from the private sector, the City doubles its current level of public funding for arts, science and history organizations. Together, an annual grants pool of public and private dollars will help revive and sustain local cultural organizations. A citizen-led grantmaking board, appointed by the City of Charlotte and private sector, distributes these grant awards. The last grants will be distributed in fall 2024.

Contributors to the fund include:

Multimillion Dollar Commitment
City of Charlotte

$1.5 million and above
Bank of America
C.D. Spangler Foundation / National Gypsum Company
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Trane Technologies

$600,000 - $1 million
Albemarle Foundation
Atrium Health
Barings
Duke Energy
Honeywell
JELD-WEN, Inc.
LendingTree Foundation
Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
Novant Health
Red Ventures
Truist

$300,000-$600,000
Ally Financial
The Centene Charitable Foundation
Childress Klein Properties
Coca-Cola Consolidated
Deloitte
EY
The Gambrell Foundation
Moore & Van Allen
PwC
Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A.
Rodgers Builders
Wells Fargo

Up to $300,000
Fifth Third Bank
Foundation For The Carolinas
Deidre and Clay Grubb
Leslie and Michael Marsicano
Jane and Hugh McColl
Nucor Corporation
PNC Bank
Premier, Inc.
Jane and Nelson Schwab

To read more about private-sector commitments, visit our Media and Publications.

FFTC agreed to lead the campaign after it was recruited by the City to serve as the third-party administrator for the multi-year arts funding plan. The fundraising effort was an initiative of the Robinson Center for Civic Leadership, FFTC's flagship program that addresses key challenges and opportunities in our region.

Grantees: visit the following page for Infusion Fund Guidelines.