The Cleveland Major Events Grant Program

The Cleveland Major Events Grant Program is sponsored by Destination Cleveland. This program supports the execution of high-profile, national-scale events hosted within and benefiting the City of Cleveland. The event must expect at least 2,000 out-of-town attendees.

The Cleveland Major Events Grant Program / City of Cleveland Economic Development The Cleveland Major Events Grant Program Thank you for selecting Cleveland as the host of your upcoming event. The Cleveland Major Events Grant Program is intended to support the execution of high-profile, national-scale events hosted within and benefitting the City of Cleveland. Thank you for selecting Cleveland as the host of your upcoming event.

The Cleveland Major Events Grant Program is intended to support the execution of high-profile, national-scale events hosted within and benefitting the City of Cleveland. Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis. Selected recipients will only receive the approved grant following the submission, review and approval of required post-event documentation as outlined below.

Incomplete or inadequate documentation may result in forfeiture of grant.

Program eligibility is as follows: The main event and most satellite events must be located within the City of Cleveland Other cities/locations are or were being considered to host the event 80% or more of official lodging booked on behalf of the event must be located in the City of Cleveland, as The event must offer equal and equitable access in terms of who can purchase tickets or attend The entity receiving the grant is a nonprofit organization OR locally managed by a nonprofit organization The entity organizing the event must provide an amount equal to or larger than the amount of grant funding being sought from the Major Events Grant Program The event must expect at least 2,000 out of town attendees (traveling from 100 miles or more) for a singular event and/or must generate multiple placements in national and/or top 10 The program will not support the same event more than once in a five year period Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Selected recipients will only receive the approved grant following the submission, review and approval of required post-event documentation. Incomplete or inadequate documentation will result in forfeiture of grant. Grant disbursement is contingent upon submission of the following post-event Applicant must provide the following documentation and information to Destination Cleveland no more than 30 days after the event concludes.

Accounting of eligible expenses [i] to which grant funds will be applied, including paid vendor invoices and proof of Economic Impact Report completed by third-party research organization OR Data for completion of economic impact report through Destinations International Events Impact Calculator: Business Meeting, Convention, Trade Show, Sports Market Segment (pick one) : Association/Corporate, Government, SMERF (Social, Military, Educational, Meeting Space (pick one) : In hotel or outside of hotel % of attendees/participants as % of attendees/participants who are Local Total number of room nights Average daily hotel room rate (contracted block rate or average market rate) % of overnight attendees/participants Organizer Spending in Cleveland Other Services (in-market transportation, décor, entertainment, etc.) Proof of minimum out-of-town attendance (1,000 people from more than 100 miles away).

This must be provided in the form of confirmed attendee or ticketholder list with associated Zip Codes for each attendee/ticketholder. In lieu of OR in addition to proof of out-of-town attendance , please provide proof of earned media coverage in national and/or Top 10 media market news organizations (audience of +500,000) that features Cleveland, its position as an emerging/revitalized city and/or its key industries.

For more information please reach out to majorevents@clevelandohio. gov. Eligible Expenses.

Generally, the following are examples of allowable expenses for the Grant Program: Costs associated with securing volunteers Amenities for the event, such as decorations In-market transportation costs [e.g., limo/shuttle service between airport and hotels] Site preparations such as rentals of facilities, tents, chairs, tables, trash/recycling containers, barricades and other similar Marketing expenses such as graphic design, Entertainment expenses such as bands/DJ’s, equipment for staging, lighting and other items Accommodations to ensure compliance with ADA/Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Permit and licensing fees and Ineligible Expenses.

The following are ineligible expenses for the Prize money, awards, plaques, trophies, or Purchase of tangible personal property Interest payments or reduction of existing organizational deficits or loans Food, beverages and catering Costs for lobbying or attempting to influence federal, state, or local regulation Get Started With Us Today