The Washington Festival & Events grant is now closed.
Applications closed on Friday, July 1 at 5:00 p.m.
NOTICES UPDATE: Due to a technical issue, notices are still in process of being sent out. Apologies for the delay. We appreciate your patience!
Uploading Additional Documents – update: Grant recipients, please watch for a notice from us with instructions on how to upload required tax documents and other forms as requested. Notices will be sent to the email you used in your grant application. If you have not received a notice (by August 4, 2022), please reach out to us.
Questions? Please contact Bruce Skinner, Executive Director, WFEA:
☎ | 360-441-7190
✉︎ | bruce@wfea.org
About this grant
Washington Festival and Events Association, in partnership with ArtsWA and the Washington State Department of Commerce, is pleased to offer a Festival and Events Grant Program. This program supports “legacy-level” community events, including:
- festivals
- civic and holiday celebrations
- cultural and heritage events
- music festivals
- street and art fairs
What does “Legacy-level” mean?
“Legacy-level” refers to events that have taken place in the community for five or more years and draw visitors.
What kind of “Communities” are eligible?
For the purposes of this grant, “Communities” are defined as a geographic area with less than 100,000 residents according to the 2020 census and not part of, or located within, the 10 cities above this threshold (Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Federal Way, Everett, Tacoma, Vancouver, Spokane and Spokane Valley).
What does this grant fund?
Funding supports events in communities of less than 100,000 residents (based on the 2020 Census). Grants are designed to either restart and stabilize “legacy-level” festival and events suspended in 2020 and 2021, recover from disruptions and losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, or both.
Covered expenses include deposits on infrastructure (security, temporary fencing, staging, lights, sound equipment, etc.) and staff and labor costs. Grants range from $5,000 to $35,000. Award amounts are based on need and demonstrated losses.
Funding amounts
- Grants will range from $5,000 to $35,000, based on need and demonstrated losses.
Important dates
- Application period: June 8 – July 1, 2022
- Deadline July 1, 2022, 5:00 p.m.
- Notification of grant award: on a rolling basis and by July 25, 2022
- When funds will be distributed: on a rolling basis and by October 31, 2022
- Final report due: January 2, 2023
Application information
To be eligible, organizations must meet the following criteria:
- “Legacy-level” festivals and events in Washington State communities of less than 100,000 residents (based on 2020 Census).
- Active for-profit or non-profit organizations identified by UBI, EIN, and UEI numbers
- Organizations with demonstrable financial loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021
- One-off concerts that are not part of an ongoing series (such as an annual concert in the park series)
- Events that are online/virtual only
- Festivals or Events not in existence in the last five years
- Events that are exclusive (not open to everyone, or only available to affiliates)
- One-off events or series of events that aren’t “festival” in nature
- Events or festivals that are political or advocacy in nature
- Most sporting events that are primarily spectator-oriented (unless they are part of a Lifestyle festival, such as a rodeo)
- Events or festivals that are under three hours in duration
- Organizations debarred, suspended, ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from receiving federal funds (45 CFR 1169)
- Organizations permanently closed or intend to permanently close in 2022
Screening for eligibility
- Applications are screened by staff to ensure the applicant meets eligibility requirements.
Evaluation and application scoring panel
- Applications are evaluated and scored by staff and/or community members.
Funding
- Panel(s) meet to discuss applications and make funding recommendations.
Notification of award
- Applicants will be notified by July 25, 2022
- Feedback is available if your application is found ineligible for funding.
Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and financial need. Awards will be made based on number of applications received and available funds.
- Grant recipients will be asked to supply tax documents (990, etc., may also include organization budgets)
- UBI (Unique Business Identifier) number
- EIN (Federal Employer Identification Number)
- UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) number
Webinar
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Shareable graphics and content
How to apply:
Applications are submitted through our online grant platform, Submittable, until 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date. Applications are open June 8, 2022, through July 1, 2022 – 5:00 p.m.
Contact us
Questions? Please contact Bruce Skinner, Executive Director, WFEA:
☎ | 360-441-7190
✉︎ | bruce@wfea.org
About Washington Festival and Events Association
The Washington Festivals & Events Association (WFEA) is a corporation dedicated to promoting the common business interests of the festivals and events industry in Washington State. The Association seeks to assist members and the special event industry to improve and advance industry standards by providing professional and leadership development, and technical assistance state-wide for the festivals & events industry.
About ArtsWA
ArtsWA is the Washington State Arts Commission. The Arts Commission is a catalyst for the arts, advancing the role of the arts in the lives of individuals and communities throughout the state.
About the Washington State Department of Commerce
The Washington State Department of Commerce’s mission is to strengthen communities in Washington.
Transparency
Let us know if individuals involved with your organization also have an affiliation with WFEA, ArtsWA, or the Washington State Department of Commerce such as staff, commissioners, consultants, contractors, current grant panelists, or the immediate family members, etc. If you have an affiliation, please reach out to Bruce Skinner, Executive Director, WFEA, at 360-441-7190 or bruce@wfea.org.
Appeals
Unsuccessful applicants may appeal in accordance with Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 30.12.036, found here.