T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program

The T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program is a national initiative spearheaded by T-Mobile in collaboration with Main Street America, targeting community revitalization efforts in small towns and rural areas across the United States. With a $25 million commitment over five years, this program aims to foster stronger, more connected, and economically resilient communities. T-Mobile’s vision is grounded in enhancing “placemaking” — projects that enrich public spaces, spark local pride, and can lead to sustained investment in these towns. Since its inception, the program has been awarding funding quarterly, with up to 25 towns selected each cycle and each recipient eligible to receive up to $50,000 for their proposed physical community projects. The scope of the T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program is strictly focused on tangible improvements within small towns with populations of 50,000 or fewer. Funding must be applied to physical placemaking projects that benefit the public. Examples include revitalizing or repurposing historic buildings, enhancing parks or gathering spaces, constructing new community destinations, or undertaking beautification initiatives like murals or creative crosswalks inspired by community dialogue. Eligible expenditures include construction materials, equipment, labor for installation or rehabilitation, artists’ supplies, and public-use furniture. Up to 10% of the awarded funds (not exceeding $5,000) may be allocated to event programming for space activation. However, administrative costs such as staff salaries, operational overhead, architectural or engineering fees, or completed projects are not eligible for reimbursement. Eligibility for the program is limited to 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations and local government entities. Applicants must demonstrate either ownership or formal permission to alter the project site, and one of the required letters of support must be from the property owner if the applicant is not the owner. Only one application per organization is allowed per grant cycle. Past grant recipients may apply again in subsequent rounds, provided they show evidence of successful completion of prior grant-supported projects. The application process is straightforward and designed to encourage wide participation. Applications can be submitted via a designated form on the program’s website during open windows. The Winter 2025 cycle runs from October 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, with a final submission deadline at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. The Spring 2026 cycle opens on January 1 and closes on March 31, 2026, marking the final opportunity for this grant. All applicants will be notified of funding decisions within 60 days of the closing date for their cycle. Selected projects will begin implementation on March 1, 2026, and must be completed by February 28, 2027. Applications are evaluated by an internal T-Mobile review panel alongside Main Street America, the nonprofit partner with deep expertise in community development. Review criteria include the demonstrated community need, anticipated impact, community engagement, implementation feasibility, and alignment with T-Mobile’s small-town strategy. All recipients are required to submit a progress report at the six-month mark and a final report at the end of the 12-month period, both of which must use templates provided by the grant administrators. Applicants are encouraged to prepare strong letters of support and provide clear documentation of community impact and project feasibility. T-Mobile urges interested individuals in small towns to spread awareness among local leaders and nonprofits, as only organizations and government entities are permitted to submit applications. Communications regarding this grant will come from official emails ending in @mainstreet.org or trusted partner domains, and applicants are advised to confirm legitimacy if unsure.

Emphasize community impact, need, feasibility, and strong letters of support.