Get ready, Atlanta! Mayor Andre Dickens and Showcase Atlanta have officially launched an exciting new initiative to ensure everyone in the city can experience the thrill of the 2026 World Cup. The Community Engagement Grant program is a $150,000 effort designed to bring the world’s biggest sporting event directly into Atlanta’s diverse neighborhoods.
Bringing the World Cup to Every Neighborhood
This grant program aims to decentralize the global sporting event, empowering local organizations to host free, public viewing parties and community festivals. The goal is to make the World Cup accessible to all residents, no matter where they live in the city, ensuring that the excitement isn’t confined just to the downtown area around Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Selected organizations will receive a comprehensive support package to make their local events a success. This includes the provision of professional outdoor screens and high-quality sound systems for the duration of their events. Additionally, grants ranging from $3,000 to $4,000 will be provided to cover costs for local food vendors, music, and other community programming.
Eligibility and How to Apply
The city is actively seeking applications from a wide array of Atlanta-based groups to ensure broad representation across all neighborhoods. Eligible organizations include neighborhood associations, Neighborhood Planning Units (NPUs), business associations, local nonprofits, faith communities, and various civic organizations. Events can range from one to three days and must remain free and open to the public.
Showcase Atlanta’s mission is to ensure the World Cup’s impact resonates deeply within the city’s local economy and social fabric. By enabling neighborhoods to host their own sanctioned events, they hope to cultivate a shared sense of pride and participation in this historic global moment. The application window is currently open and closes on April 30th. Interested organizations can apply through the official portal.
Are you part of an Atlanta organization that could benefit from this grant? Share this information and encourage them to apply! What kind of community events would you love to see?
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