Community Sponsorship Program

The City of Bend Community Sponsorship Program provides funding to support community programs, services, and events that promote community outreach and education related to City initiatives and Council Goals. The program is intended for community activities that connect with City priorities and services and contribute to community benefit. Examples of relevant City initiatives identified by the program include economic development, water conservation, environmental sustainability, and community engagement with local government. The City also identifies certain recurring community celebrations as Priority Events, including a summer Pride event, Juneteenth celebration, 4th of July Parade, Veteran's Day Parade, and Holiday Parade, and applications associated with these events may receive preference during review. Applicants may request monetary sponsorship of up to $10,000. The program reports an average award of approximately $2,500 to $5,000, with very few applicants receiving the maximum $10,000 award. Approximately $100,000 per fiscal year, July through June, has on average been budgeted for the program during the biennial budget, although available funding may change because of budget adjustments and emerging priorities. The annual amount is divided between the two application periods. Requested City funds should be reasonable, should not represent a significant portion of the total event or program budget, and should have a clear and responsible proposed use. The event or program should not be entirely dependent on City sponsorship, and applications should not be for fundraiser events. No mandatory cost share or matching contribution is stated. The program also offers a limited number of Tower Theatre City Use Days. A City Use Day waives the nonprofit rental fee for the full Tower Theatre, a stated value of $1,300, but does not cover rental of the Encore Room. Applicants planning events at the Tower Theatre are encouraged to contact Shannon Brindley at 541-977-0002 before applying to confirm date and space availability. Because City Use Days are limited, applicants may request both monetary sponsorship and a City Use Day. The City may award either form of sponsorship depending on availability and budget. Any individual, organization, or entity hosting a community event or program that aligns with City priorities and Council Goals may apply, subject to the program's funding requirements. An entity receiving funds must be registered with the Secretary of State and have a valid EIN and current W-9, or an individual must have a valid Social Security Number and W-9. An organization that is not registered with the Oregon Secretary of State must identify a fiscal sponsor that meets an applicable requirement and has a fiscal sponsor agreement to accept funds on the applicant's behalf. Applicants and funded activities must not discriminate based on protected characteristics identified by applicable law, and events and programs must be accessible to individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applications should provide a detailed description of the event or program, explain its connection to City priorities and services, describe how the community will be invited to participate, explain how an inclusive and welcoming environment will be supported, and provide a detailed budget showing multiple funding sources and how City funds would be used. The Sponsorship Review Committee prioritizes applications demonstrating clear alignment with City priorities, community building, inclusion and belonging, public accessibility, free participation or sliding-scale or scholarship options, and responsible financial planning. Free and publicly accessible activities that most closely align with City priorities and Council Goals are generally prioritized. The internal Sponsorship Review Committee makes recommendations to the City Manager, who has final approval of sponsorship awards. The program accepts applications twice each year. The Spring Application Period runs from February 1 through March 31, with review in April and final decisions and payments in May. It is recommended for events occurring from June through December. The Fall Application Period runs from August 1 through September 30, with applications reviewed in October and payments made in November, and is recommended for events occurring from January through May. These timing recommendations are not mandatory, and applicants may apply during an earlier cycle when sufficient information is available. Applications for activities occurring during or immediately after the current application period may not be considered because award processing may not be completed before the event. Selected applicants are notified by email from sponsorships@bendoregon.gov and are then asked to complete a form providing additional event or program and funding-use information and to provide a Certificate of Insurance meeting City requirements. After these materials are received, a Sponsorship Agreement is prepared for signature by the City Manager and applicant. Once all parties sign the agreement, the City issues a check for the full sponsorship award. Successful applicants can generally expect funds about one month after award notification, with Fall payments likely in November and Spring payments likely in May. Recipients are not subject to mandatory reporting requirements, although they may voluntarily submit a post-event or post-program summary to sponsorships@bendoregon.gov or hold a post-event conversation with City staff.

Demonstrate clear alignment with City priorities, initiatives, Council Goals, and core services; address multiple review criteria because applications meeting multiple criteria are more likely to be selected; make the event or program free and open to the public when possible or provide sliding-scale or scholarship access; clearly describe community building, inclusion, belonging, and connection across cultures, identities, and viewpoints; provide a complete budget with multiple funding sources; keep the City request reasonable and not a significant portion of the total budget; do not make the event or program entirely dependent on City sponsorship; do not submit fundraiser events; apply early enough for review, contracting, and payment before the event; Priority Events may receive preference; Tower Theatre applicants should confirm date and space availability before requesting a City Use Day