Through the Community Programming Fund, the City of Bellevue offers grants to support community-driven programs and events in outdoor public spaces across the city.
Donor Name: City of Bellevue
State: Washington
City: Bellevue
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/02/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year
Details:
The Community Programming Fund (CPF) is returning for its second year, continuing the City of Bellevue’s commitment to supporting activities that help make the outdoor public spaces welcoming, lively, and well-used. The CPF provides grants to organizations, small businesses and individuals organizing activities in plazas, parks and other outdoor areas across the city.
By investing in community-led efforts, the CPF aims to strengthen the experience of visitors, workers, and residents in Bellevue’s mixed-use neighborhoods, encouraging people to gather, support local businesses, stay longer, and return more often. The City is looking for ideas that foster community connection, celebrate culture, and create opportunities for people to share experiences in outdoor spaces throughout Bellevue.
Funding Priorities
While the Community Programming Fund welcomes a wide range of ideas, proposals that align with one of the program’s three priority areas will receive additional consideration during the evaluation process.
- Small-Scale Activity Series
- Recurring activities help build momentum and give people a reason to return to a space week after week. Because of their ability to create steady foot traffic and familiarity with public spaces, the CPF will prioritize small-scale programming that repeats throughout the season.
- Programs in this category typically:
- Attract fewer than 100 people at one time
- Occur three or more times at the same location
- Include wellness classes, live music, performances, workshops, family activities, or similar recurring activities.
- Market Series
- Outdoor markets play an important role in creating a sense of place and supporting local vendors. For 2026, the CPF will prioritize market organizers who are building something new—whether expanding to a new location, adding new dates, or reaching new audiences.
- Programs in this category typically include:
- Activities Related to the Global Soccer Tournament
- Next summer’s FIFA World Cup™ soccer tournament is expected to draw significant attention and activity throughout the region. To help Bellevue’s public spaces feel welcoming, festive, and community-oriented for visitors, residents, and workers, the CPF will prioritize proposals that intentionally engage the community around this major event. Activities might directly reference the tournament or simply contribute to the sense of celebration and shared experience it brings.
- Programs in this category:
- Take place between June 1–July 19
- May or may not be sports-themed
- Should aim to create a positive atmosphere for residents, workers, and visitors during the tournament season.
Funding Information
Applicants will submit a budget for their proposed program and may request funding at one of the following levels:
- $1,000
- $2,500
- $5,000
- $7,500
- $10,000
- $20,000 (eligible for market series only).
Grant Period
June 1–December 31, 2026, with priority for programs taking place June 1–September 30, 2026.
Geographical Areas
Because small-scale programs may be suitable for a variety of locations, it is not required to have a location lined up before applying. However:
- All programs must take place in an outdoor public space in Bellevue.
- Grant recipients are responsible for securing all necessary reservations, permissions, and permits for their chosen site.
- Location factors into program feasibility.
Eligible Activities
The Community Programming Fund supports outdoor activities that bring people together and help Bellevue’s public spaces feel welcoming, lively, and well-used. Eligible activities may take many forms; examples include live music, cultural celebrations, performances, family or youth focused activities, fitness and wellness classes, workshops, or hands-on creative experiences. These examples are only a starting point, and they welcome creative ideas of all kinds, as long as they meet the basic eligibility requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
- Individuals
- Community organizations
- Nonprofits
- Small businesses, if programming meets criteria and is not primarily promotional; partnership with a community organization or nonprofit is encouraged.
For more information, visit City of Bellevue.
