Downtown Program Fund

Downtown Program Fund is sponsored by City of Eugene Cultural Services. This program offers funding and support to organizations or individuals who wish to produce quality programming in the publicly accessible outdoor spaces of Eugene's downtown core, such as the Park Blocks, Kesey Square, and the Farmers Market Pavilion & Plaza.

It aims to transform downtown outdoor spaces into engaging destinations for arts and culture, supporting vibrancy, economic vitality, and livability. Funding can support any artistic or cultural discipline.

Downtown Program Fund Grant | Eugene, OR Website Library, Recreation and Cultural Services Downtown Program Fund Grant Downtown Program Fund Grant 2022 Tracktown Swing Dance Party Farmers Market: Night Market 2023 Applications are closed for 2026 Visit the Downtown Program Fund Events page to see 2026 Downtown Program Fund grant recipient details. Applications for 2027 funding will open in September 2026.

Downtown Program Fund 2026 Deadline: noon on November 12, 2025 Is there an event or artistic installation you would like to present in downtown Eugene? Community-driven events and programming are needed now more than ever to build community, uplift the soul and share the stories and experiences from our increasingly diverse city.

Downtown Program Fund from City of Eugene Cultural Services offers you an opportunity to transform downtown outdoor spaces into engaging destinations for arts and culture. We know that arts and cultural events activate downtown in a way that supports the vibrancy, economic vitality and livability of the cultural heart of Eugene.

Funding and support will be awarded to organizations or individuals who wish to produce their own quality programming in the publicly accessible outdoor spaces of Eugene’s downtown core. These spaces include the Park Blocks, Kesey Square, the Farmers Market Pavilion & Plaza and other Public Right of Ways, such as sidewalks or a street used for a block party.

New to the Downtown Program Fund grant for 2026 is the opportunity to provide an event series on Wednesdays at the Farmers Market Pavilion & Plaza during during open hours for Picnic at the Pavilion with a full venue fee waiver (a minimum of 4 activations are required). Funding can support any artistic or cultural discipline, including visual art, dance, music, theatre, film/video/media, multidisciplinary fields and events.

DPF-funded events, scheduled as single dates or recurring series and taking place in Downtown locations (including Park Blocks*, Kesey Square, block parties and other events) will receive: Up to $5,000 in cash support Usage of Kesey Square or Park Blocks at no charge A Downtown Activity Zone permit at no charge Access to select equipment such as canopies, chairs, tables, etc. *Series held in the Park Blocks during the Tuesday Lane County Farmers Market will be given priority.

Special benefits will be granted to DPF-funded events that meet all these criteria: Occur at the Farmers Market Pavilion & Plaza Scheduled as a recurring series on Wednesdays (a minimum of four activations required) Take place at midday/lunchtime These events will receive the following: Up to $5,000 in cash support Waiver of all rental fees (does not include parking lot or security) A Downtown Activity Zone permit at no charge Access to select equipment such as canopies, chairs, tables, etc. Standard (not Midday Wednesday) DPF-funded events, scheduled as a single date or a recurring series that occur at the Farmers Market Pavilion & Plaza at times other than Wednesday midday will receive: Up to $3,500 in cash support An 8-hour rental of the Farmers Market Pavilion & Plaza at no charge (does not include parking lot or security).

Be mindful that the space is not available on Tuesdays or Saturdays, or other previously reserved dates.

A Downtown Activity Zone permit at no charge Access to select equipment such as canopies, chairs, tables, etc. All Downtown Program Fund events will still need to pay for any other required fees or permits, including permits related to the Fire Marshal, Lane County food permits, alcohol permits, right-of-way closure permits, etc. Grant funding can be used to cover these costs.

Deadline for submissions was noon on November 12, 2025 Read the tabs below before submitting your entry. The 2026 Downtown Program Fund seeks to: Draw people, economic vitality and a sense of place and safety to the downtown core through the activation of outdoor spaces with arts and cultural events and/or installations. Help our regional artists and arts organizations thrive.

Foster a sense of belonging and safety for historically marginalized and underrepresented communities such as Eugene’s BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, low-income communities, people experiencing disabilities, individuals who are unhoused, youth and seniors. Promote cultural exchange through art and cultural experiences that will generate empathy, understanding, dialogue, wonder and curiosity.

Fund events and projects in the public spaces throughout downtown. The Downtown Program Fund is open to all organizations and individuals headquartered/physically residing within Lane County. Previously funded programs, artists and organizations are eligible to re-apply, but not until after their previously funded programs have been completed and reports have been submitted.

Approximately 20% of funding will be awarded to first-time and/or small-scale programs, artists or organizations. Proposed programming must take place between April 1 and Oct. 31, 2026.

Programs must take place in outdoor, publicly accessible spaces in Eugene’s downtown core, such as the Park Blocks, Farmers Market Pavilion and Plaza, Kesey Square or other public spaces such as public streets or sidewalks. Programs should be made as accessible as possible for community members. If the event is not free to attend, a portion of tickets must be offered for free or on a sliding scale.

Applicants must provide a 1:1 cash, in-kind and/or volunteer time match for the project that equals the amount of your Downtown Program Fund award (i.e., if the City awards you $1,000, you must also contribute at least $1,000 toward your project costs).

Your total match amount should consist of one or any combination of the following: Cash: either already secured or additional funds you anticipate raising through sponsorships or other fundraising means. In-kind: includes donated materials and supplies, valued at full retail or rental cost. Volunteer time: value each hour of volunteer time given to the project at the nationally established rate of $34.

79 per hour. You can choose to use in-kind or volunteer time as 100% of your match. Applicants may submit proposals for as many as two programs but are only eligible to receive funding for one.

Each program must have its own complete and separate proposal. City employees are not eligible to personally apply for a Downtown Program Fund grant as individuals but may be involved with an organization or group led by non-City employees that are applying for a grant. The applicant must be able to obtain liability insurance as a requirement of the Downtown Activity Zone Permit.

Learn about the insurance requirements . Read the tabs on eligibility, selection criteria and timeline to learn more about the Downtown Program Fund. Prepare before filling out your application by reviewing the list of application questions (PDF) .

The City can assist in language translation and accept non-digital applications by request. Fill out the Downtown Program Fund application. Creating a free account allows you to save your progress and return at a later date.

Applications must be submitted by noon PST on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025 to be considered. To what extent will the programming: Draw people to downtown spaces?

Meet the goals of Downtown Program Fund and the mission of Cultural Services? Does the applicant demonstrate the capacity to produce the proposed programming and display thoughtful planning? Does the applicant have experience administering and producing similar programming?

How does the project involve and contribute to the community the applicant serves? Is the program accessible and welcoming for all community members? If the program is not free, how is this reflected in the ticket pricing?

Has this organizer incorporated sustainability practices into previous events? Does the event encourage alternative methods of transportation? Does the event use compostable and recyclable goods?

Does the event demonstrate other sustainability efforts? Does the budget look thorough and complete? Does the budget sufficiently capture the elements of the event and seem reasonable?

If awarded, grant recipients are expected to: Conduct the marketing and promotion of their program. Apply for, pay for and obtain all necessary permits and insurance associated with their event. The grant award can be used to pay for these associated fees.

List of other possible permits . Schedule borrowed equipment load-in and load-out with Cultural Services at least 30 days prior to the event. Support from Cultural Services Awardees will receive funds upon submitting a W9 form and signing the grant agreement.

In addition to funding, space rental and DAZ permit fee waiver, Downtown Program Fund awardees will also receive: An initial consultation with City of Eugene Cultural Services staff, which will include advisement on permits. A marketing toolkit and tips about best practices for promoting the event. Access to available City equipment, including tables, chairs and canopies.

An introduction to relevant Downtown businesses. Does my match need to be 100% cash? What do I do if my expenses and revenue do not match up in the budget?

Your total revenue that you show in your budget must match your total expenses. If your expenses exceed your revenue, consider ways you can increase your revenue sources. Ideas for this are listed in the document How to Create Your Event Budget .

If your revenue exceeds your expenses, consider the need for your program. How will your expenses contribute to the long-term success of the participants and of downtown Eugene? Is this funding essential to your program?

What does your program uniquely bring to the City? Am I responsible for paying for the permits for my program? Yes, all awardees are responsible for paying for the necessary permits.

Cultural Services staff will be available to advise on permits. I have an idea for an event, but not a date. Is that okay?

Please list a preferred date or timeframe on your application even if you do not have a confirmed schedule (i.e., “one Saturday evening in August”). Knowing your date or timeframe helps the selection committee approve programs that are evenly distributed between April 1 and Oct. 31.

If approved, you can work with Cultural Services staff during your advising appointment to select a specific date. I want to include artists in my program, but I’m not sure how much to pay them. How do I include them in my budget?

We encourage you to connect with the artists you would like to include in your program before you submit your application. Ask them what their rate is and how they would like to be involved in your program. I want my program to take place outdoors.

How should I plan for inclement weather? It is critical to plan for last-minute changes such as rain or wildfire smoke. Can your program continue using canopy tents or a nearby shelter?

What planning can you put in place now if you need to postpone your program, such as having back-up reservations for visiting artists or a marketing plan to announce a change in date? List of Application Questions (PDF) How to Create Your Grant Fund Budget (PDF) Applications must be submitted by noon Nov. 12, 2025 to be considered for the 2026 season.

Awards will be announced by mid-January, 2026. Programming must occur between April 1 and Oct. 31, 2026.

The final report is due by Nov. 13, 2026. Once you have had some time to think about your project and come up with the key elements, attend this work session to ask your specific questions or bounce ideas off other event planners.

Tuesday, Oct. 28 • 4-6 p. m.

In person: Eugene Public Library , 2nd floor Singer Room Online Information Session This online info session, hosted by Community and Cultural Affairs Senior Manager Colette Ramirez, was held on October 1, 2025. In this video, Colette answers questions and provides tips on navigating the grant process.

This video was created last year and includes the previous volunteer rate but is otherwise a useful tool in creating your budget for the 2026 grant. Email David Dickinson or call him at 541-682-5542. City of Eugene Cultural Services provides responsible and catalytic leadership to support the public’s vision for a thriving arts and cultural sector that contributes to the community’s social and economic well-being.

The Community and Cultural Affairs section believes the work of the arts creates a stronger, more vibrant and creative community through shared experience that uplift the soul and tell the diversity of stories from our communities. Downtown Events & Permit Coordinator