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Creative District Funding Opportunities

"Trenton Creative Network Grant"

The TCN Grant will support local artists and creative businesses in creating impactful community projects in Downtown Trenton’s C2C Creative District.

OVERVIEW

  • Grant Amount: 4 grants of $2,500 each
  • Funding Structure: 50% upfront, 50% within 30 days of project completion
  • Eligibility: Artists and creative businesses with projects located within Downtown Trenton’s Creek to Canal Creative District

GOALS

Awarded applicants must select 2-3 goals from the list below and explain how their project will achieve them:
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  • Develop a welcoming and supportive creative community
  • Establish physical connections with nearby Arts & Culture institutions
  • Encourage arts exploration of Trenton’s assets
  • Strengthen connections between arts and culture destinations within Old Trenton (OTN)
  • Foster a full-service community for artists and creative entrepreneurs
  • Integrate art in parks to draw people in
  • Create opportunities for artists and creatives to teach or mentor
  • Expand programming to integrate creativity into social services

Eligible Projects

Grants may be used for projects related to:

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1. Creative Activation of Spaces

  • Visual Arts, Design, and Beautification (e.g., murals, sculptural installations, streetscape improvements, lighting installations)

2. Culture & Performing Arts

  • Festivals, oral history projects, public concerts, theater, dance performances, etc.

3. Community Investment

  • Projects benefiting downtown residents (e.g., education, youth development, elderly enrichment, sports programs)

Ineligible Projects

This grant will NOT fund:

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  • Discriminatory projects or organizations

  • Debt reduction or operational support

  • Capital campaigns or fundraising events

  • Re-granting programs

  • Scholarships

  • Partisan political activities, lobbying, or election influence

  • Religious activities (worship, instruction, proselytizing) – Religious organizations may apply for non-denominational activities open to all

TIMELINE

Launch Date

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2/10/2025

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Submission Deadline

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3/31/2025

Award Notification

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4/28/2025

Application Requirements

 
Applicants must submit an online form including:
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  • Project description
  • Budget & timeline
  • Portfolio or examples of past work (optional but recommended)
  • Must provide a clear community benefit (not for private gain)
  • Must be non-discriminatory
  • Must benefit Downtown Trenton and its residents

Selection Criteria

​Applications will be evaluated based on:
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  • Creativity & Innovation – Is the project unique and original?
  • Community Impact – How does it benefit or engage the community?
  • Feasibility – Can the project be realistically completed within the budget and timeline?
  • Alignment with Goals – Does the project support the program’s objectives?

Selection Process

  • Applications will be reviewed by a Grant Review Committee (local arts leaders, community members, and funders).

  • Applicants may be interviewed or asked for additional information.

  • Selected recipients will sign a grant agreement outlining fund use and reporting requirements.

  • Payment Structure: 50% upfront, 50% upon project completion.

  • Final Report: Recipients must submit a brief report detailing project outcomes and lessons learned.

WHERE ?

210204 otn_planning_compressed.jpg

CONTACT

Questions or comments?

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Please email:

Tyquan Benton

Special Projects Manager, Isles

tbenton@isles.org

© 2025 Creek to Canal Creative District

This site is maintained by Isles, Inc.

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