A version of the following article appeared in the Friday, October 23, 2026, edition of The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
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City to award 2 grants to expand youth and teen programming in light of recent ‘teen takeovers’ and Charlotte’s new curfew
by Lindsey Banks
The City of Charlotte recently said it would begin enforcing a stricter youth curfew following a series of so-called “teen takeovers” in which large gatherings of teenagers have caused disturbances across Charlotte — but the city also announced earlier this month another way it’s hoping to curb teen behavior.
Through its Office of Youth Opportunities, the city is offering grants to organizations that provide activities and spaces for teenagers outside of school hours. The OYO Partnerships Grant will award up to $50,000 to two organizations serving teens ages 13 to 17 in Charlotte.
The funding is intended to expand existing programs rather than create new ones, according to the city’s website. That could include keeping community centers open on Friday or Saturday evenings, adding activities on days when school is out or providing transportation to help teens access these programs. Think nonprofits, faith-based organizations and recreation providers.
Last month, Charlotte City Council approved a pilot curfew that requires anyone under 18 to be out of public spaces between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., beginning Nov. 1. The move follows several large teen gatherings across the city that resulted in arrests, injuries and damage to property.
The city first shared the idea for the grant in an August City Council meeting in which council members and CMPD discussed ways to prevent teen takeovers.
Applications are open through Nov. 2, and selected organizations are expected to be notified in December, with funded activities required to wrap up by July 31, 2027.