The City of Brighton is opening doors for local creatives and organizations to bolster the city's economic and cultural landscape through the 2025 Brighton Creative Community Grants program. Funded by the city's Lodging Tax, these grants aim to elevate activities focused on economic development, special events, cultural arts, tourism, and other spending that could encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more in the area.
Applications are now welcome, and preference will be given to projects that promise to draw new business and tourism. Despite the open invitation, there are stipulations: According to the City of Brighton, interested parties must align with the goals of the Lodging Tax Use as per Brighton Municipal Code Section 3-40-50, and the funds cannot go towards personnel expenses, nor can it be passed through to another entity. After the December 29 deadline, grants will be awarded monthly, with a cut-off for new awards on September 30, 2025, and a final project completion date of November 30, 2025.
Kristen Chernosky, Brighton's Communications & Engagement Director, is the point of contact for this initiative. Chernosky, whose contact information and further details on the grant can be found on Brighton’s official website, is available for inquiries regarding the application process. This opportunity for local growth is, however, dependent on the City’s annual budget approval and the applicant's adherence to the requisite follow-up reporting and agreement completions.
This grant program is a calculated effort to see the city thrive by investing directly into the local creative economy, it is an acknowledgment of the role that arts and community events play in invigorating public spaces and creating a sense of place. Applicants must submit reports by December 31, 2025, to account for the expenditures and outcomes of their funded projects. Interested organizations and individuals should therefore carefully consider the guidelines to ensure their proposals meet the city's strategic aspirations for cultural and economic enrichment.
