FiveTwoNine and Billion Dollar Boy announced a new grant program designed to help creators transition their online communities into real-world gatherings. The “Your Community IRL” initiative launches as the latest offering under their Creator Fund, providing financial support for creators hosting in-person events.

The pilot program offers $3,500 to a New York City-based creator to organize a community-driven event, with plans to expand to additional locations in 2026.

Established in March 2025, The Creator Fund has already supported 40 creators with industry access and professional development opportunities. Twenty creators, including Allison Chen, Colby Eubanks, and Taiwo Adewunmi, received sponsorship to attend the Cannes Lions Festival, while another twenty, including Temi Danso and Ben Mercer, gained access to CreatorFest Europe.

The fund aims to reduce financial barriers for emerging talent while providing networking opportunities and industry connections to accelerate career growth.

Growing Trend in Community Building

The initiative responds to a growing trend of creators hosting offline gatherings to strengthen audience relationships. Recent examples include fashion creator Lizzy Hadfield’s monthly book club, “Buffy’s,” and career development creator Colin Rocker‘s professional meetup club, “for the firsts.”

Industry data supports this shift, with a recent survey finding that 41% of U.S. consumers have attended an in-person influencer event in the past year, and 67% express interest in future attendance.

Funds can cover various event expenses including food, beverage, content production, design, branding, and materials.

Application Process Now Open

NYC-based creators can apply for the grant if they meet specific criteria:

• 50,000+ followers on their primary social media platform
• A clear vision for an offline community event in New York City
• Plans to host the event by the end of 2025
• Capacity for up to 100 guests
• Demonstrated commitment to community building, creativity, and real-world impact

Applications close November 12, with the selected creator to be announced on December 1.

Future Expansion Plans

Following the New York City pilot, FiveTwoNine and Billion Dollar Boy plan to expand the initiative to additional cities in 2026, including Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami, and Houston.

The companies are also seeking brand partners with similar values to contribute to The Creator Fund and increase its reach.

Becky Owen, Global Head of FiveTwoNine and Global CMO of Billion Dollar Boy, explains the strategic importance of the initiative: “The creator economy is evolving fast. Creators aren’t just content producers; they’re entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community builders. But, as algorithms shift and platforms change, owning their audience has never been more important.”

Owen notes that when creators visit FiveTwoNine spaces in New York City and London, they consistently express the desire to connect with their audiences in person, but often lack the necessary resources or confidence.

“Building community outside of the feed isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential to long-term growth and stability,” Owen adds.

The Your Community IRL initiative represents part of the companies’ broader mission to support sustainable creator businesses beyond platform algorithms, providing resources for creators to develop as brands, businesses, and industry leaders.

Those interested in applying can submit their application through the online form, with full terms and conditions available on the website.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Check Out Our Podcast