The City of Tacoma’s Events and Recognitions Committee (CERC) is now accepting applications for funding to support public-benefiting special events in 2026.
Donor Name: City of Tacoma
State: Washington
City: Tacoma
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 11/03/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Tacoma Venues & Events (TVE) provides this funding through the special events grant program, made possible by revenue generated from Tacoma Dome and Greater Tacoma Convention Center events that is reinvested back into the community.
Funding Information
Events recognized as Citywide Events are eligible for a maximum special events contribution of $40,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible to receive non-monetary support (personnel, equipment, or services), events must first be designated as either a Citywide Event or a City of Tacoma Sponsored Event through the special events grant funding application process.
- Events must apply for a City of Tacoma Special Events Grant, meet all eligibility requirements, and receive a minimum of 60% of the overall available points (as scored by the CERC), including no less than 50% of the available points in each category. The events must also meet the following guidelines:
- The event provides a benefit to the public or stimulates economic or cultural activity
- A majority of the event is free to the public without admission or participation fee
- The provision of City services will result in improved crowd control and public safety
- The event meets the City’s Green Event Participation Criteria
- The event would not typically be defined as an athletic, commercial, or free-speech event
- A City of Tacoma Sponsored Event meets all of the eligibility requirements and is conducted by a nonprofit entity, neighborhood or community-based group, business group (such as chambers of commerce or business improvement areas), federally recognized tribe or tribal nonprofit, or group that does not have a geographic base (such as racial or multicultural groups, LGBTQ+ groups, or a disability community)
- All events must also submit a complete Special Event Permit Application including a professionally drafted comprehensive traffic control plan, if required, no less than 90 days prior to the event.
- Individual event producers may have up to two events designated as Citywide Event and/or City of Tacoma Sponsored Event per year.
Citywide Event Designation
Events meeting the eligibility requirements may be considered for Citywide Event designation based on the following criteria:
- The event is conducted by a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates from or provides services within Tacoma
- The event is expected to draw a significant citywide and/or regional crowd
- The event has one or more of the following characteristics
- The event is expected to draw attendance of more than 10,000 spectators
- The event utilizes no less than seven (7) city blocks
- The event is a celebration of a local, regional, or federal holiday.
For more information, visit City of Tacoma.
