Community or Destination Event & Animation Grant Program

The Community or Destination Event & Animation Grant Program is a Town of Breckenridge funding opportunity designed to provide financial support for new events and animation that contribute to Breckenridge's year-round vibrancy, economic impact, community engagement, and tourism. The program is administered through the Town, with the Town Manager's Office involved in grant award decisions and administration. Funding is limited, awards are made at the Town's full discretion, and the Town reserves the right to approve or deny applications and funding requests. The Town also states that continuation of the program is not guaranteed and that the program may be changed at any time. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations, event producers, public schools, service clubs, community groups, neighborhood or resident groups, and local businesses proposing activities that provide a public benefit. Priority is given to local event producers or producers working with local partners where specified. Events must be located in, or primarily benefit, the Town of Breckenridge. Only new events and animation qualify. SEPA and BEC approval are required when applicable, and proposed events may not be alcohol focused. Funding is organized into three tiers. Tier 1 provides up to $10,000 for events generally expecting attendance of 100 to 500 people and may support a one-day event, a small recurring series, or general animation. Tier 2 provides up to $50,000 for events generally expecting attendance of 501 to 1,500 people and can support single-day, multi-day, or non-consecutive-day events. Tier 3 is for awards of $50,000 or more and is available by invitation of the Town Manager only for large-scale or high-impact events that may be single-day, multi-day, or multi-year. Town funding cannot be used for alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, personal property for individuals, salaries not directly tied to event delivery, or political, religious, or private events. Town funds also cannot cover more than 50 percent of the total cost of a Tier 2 or Tier 3 event. Application requirements vary by funding tier. Tier 1 requires a budget, project plan, and community and economic benefit statement. Tier 2 requires those materials plus evidence of organizational or project capacity. Tier 3 requires a formal agreement, performance measures, and annual reporting. A complete application must be submitted through the Grant Application Form. The Town also provides a PDF version of the application form. Tier 1 applicants are generally expected to apply at least two months before the event starts, while Tier 2 and Tier 3 applicants should apply at least four months before the event starts, although the Town states that some exceptions may apply. The Town began receiving applications in July 2026 and reviews applications on a rolling basis. Applications are evaluated based on economic and tourism benefit, community impact and accessibility, feasibility of the proposed timeline, staffing and budget, financial leverage through matching funds, partnerships or volunteers, welcoming and inclusivity efforts, and environmental sustainability. Additional considerations include community cohesion, quality of life, equity, and cultural vibrancy. For Tier 1, a review committee evaluates applications and makes award recommendations to the Town Manager's Office. Tier 2 and Tier 3 awards require review and approval by Town Council. All funded applicants must complete post-event reporting. Required reporting includes a summary of activities and attendance, a description of community outcomes, photos or other documentation, a final overall budget, and a detailed accounting of how Town funds were used. Tier 3 events have additional requirements, including the performance measures and annual reporting associated with that tier. No specific award notification date or defined performance period is provided in the supplied program information. Questions about the program may be directed to the Town Manager's Office at 970-547-3166 or peytonr@townofbreckenridge.com. The application is submitted through the Town's linked Grant Application Form, and an explicit PDF Grant Application Form is also provided. Because applications are reviewed on a rolling basis after opening in July 2026 and event-specific lead times apply, applicants should submit sufficiently in advance of their event, particularly Tier 2 and Tier 3 applicants that require Town Council approval.

Demonstrate measurable economic and tourism benefit, community impact and accessibility, a feasible timeline, staffing and budget, financial leverage through matching funds, partnerships or volunteers, welcoming and inclusivity efforts, and environmental sustainability. Address community cohesion, quality of life, equity and cultural vibrancy. Local producers or producers with local partners receive priority where specified.