Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation created a new opportunity and special fund this year to support Library staff’s programming efforts and ideas. The Flight Fund is a new grant opportunity created to provide programming support to Library staff to either expand current programs and/or create new ones.

All programming must align with the Library’s programming and equity priorities. Staff can request between $500 – $2,500 and must develop and deliver the program within one year.

The first-round Flight Fund grant applications were submitted by Library staff in January. A total of 12 grants were reviewed and evaluated by a selection committee comprised of Library Leaders Martha Yesowitch, Emily Nanny, Meryle Leonard, and Reginald Villegas and Foundation Board member Jennifer Bennett.

For the first cycle, the selection committee awarded either full or partial funding to nine applicants. Our first-round grant recipients are:

Community Block Party: We Are More Than Just Books
Carmella Powers, Sugar Creek

Beginner’s Guide to Photography
Christina Dooley, University City Regional

Charlemos Charlotte: Cultural Conversations
Ana Robles, South Boulevard

Neurodiverse Sensory Storytime-Adaptive Programming
Jennifer Williams-Cannon, North County Regional

Black Owned Business Showcase
Ashley Evans, SouthPark Regional

3D Printing Workshop
Erin Kisiel and Randi Smith, South County Regional

Healing Arts: Mending Our Hearts through Creative Expression
Amanda Sprott-Goldson and Kate Hill, Pineville

Loft Leaders Academy
Bree White, ImaginOn Teen Loft

Mental Health First Aid
Gina Petrie, University City Regional

We look forward to sharing their new program efforts with you. The next grant cycle will open in May 2023.