T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program

The T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program is a $25 million initiative funded by T-Mobile in partnership with Main Street America and Smart Growth America. This five-year program is designed to support small towns and rural communities across the United States by investing in placemaking projects that help these communities thrive. Each year, up to 100 small towns may be awarded up to $50,000 to implement community-enhancing projects. The program reflects T-Mobile’s broader corporate responsibility commitment to strengthening America’s small towns and increasing community connectivity. The grant program operates on a quarterly cycle, with up to 25 towns selected for funding each quarter. It is open to eligible applicants from small communities with populations of 50,000 or less. Applicants must be either 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations or local government entities. Proposed projects must focus on physical enhancements to public spaces that encourage community gathering and engagement. Examples include revitalizing historic structures, creating community assets or destinations, and enhancing public spaces. All proposed projects must be shovel-ready and publicly accessible upon completion. Applications are reviewed based on a comprehensive set of criteria. Reviewers will evaluate the community need, anticipated impact, level of community engagement and partnerships, project feasibility, and alignment with T-Mobile’s strategy for supporting small towns. Letters of support from various community stakeholders are a critical component of the application. The program encourages applicants to involve local organizations in planning and implementation and emphasizes projects that demonstrate strong local backing. Applications are accepted throughout the year in quarterly cycles, with spring, summer, fall, and winter windows. The current application cycle closes on June 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Award decisions for this round will be communicated by late August 2025. Selected projects must be completed within a 12-month implementation period running from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026. A midterm progress report and a final report are required, both using a provided template. Funding must be used for tangible, physical elements of a project. Eligible expenses include materials and labor for construction, rehabilitation, installation, and artistic elements involving community input. Items such as furniture and physical equipment for community spaces are also allowed. However, funds may not be used for architectural or engineering fees, operational costs, staff salaries, maintenance, or reimbursements for completed projects. For more information, applicants can contact Main Street America at info@mainstreet.org or by phone at 312-610-5613. Additional program details and application forms can be found at the T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program's official website. This opportunity provides a vital resource for small towns seeking to enhance their communal spaces and foster meaningful local engagement.