Community Sponsorship & Grant Program

The Community Sponsorship & Grant Program, administered by the City of Bend, Oregon, is a municipally funded initiative designed to provide discretionary financial support to local organizations for community-focused events and programs. Structured around a biennial budgeting cycle, the City allocates funds specifically to encourage public engagement, further Council Goals, and support initiatives that foster equity, inclusion, and education across Bend’s diverse communities. The program aims to support events and services that align with the City’s strategic objectives, especially those that reflect priorities like economic development, environmental sustainability, water conservation, and inclusive civic engagement. Events such as the 4th of July Parade, Juneteenth celebrations, Veteran’s Day Parade, and Pride gatherings are highlighted as priority events. Programs not explicitly tied to these events may also be eligible, provided they demonstrate strong alignment with Council goals or ongoing City initiatives. Funding is distributed through a structured review process led by the City’s internal Sponsorship Review Committee. Applicants are evaluated across multiple criteria including alignment with City initiatives, commitment to inclusion and belonging, public accessibility of the event or program, financial sustainability, and reasonable budget allocation. While not every application must meet all criteria, those that address several are prioritized. Importantly, the City emphasizes that its funds should not be the primary source of support, favoring applicants that demonstrate diversified funding streams. Beginning April 1, 2026, application access will be restricted to two specific windows per year: February 1–March 31 and August 1–September 30. This change is intended to streamline application reviews and provide applicants with a more predictable grant cycle. Programs or events occurring between June and December should apply in the spring, while those happening between January and May should apply in the fall. Applications are reviewed during the month following each period, with final award decisions made shortly thereafter. To be eligible, applicants must be registered entities with the Oregon Secretary of State with a valid EIN and current W-9, or individuals with a valid Social Security Number and W-9. Organizations not meeting these criteria may apply with a qualified fiscal sponsor. Awardees must not promote religious or political agendas and must ensure inclusivity in compliance with federal, state, and local non-discrimination laws. Awards are one-time payments issued either through event sponsorship or grant agreements for program delivery. Community events typically receive sponsorships to offset event-specific costs, while program grants involve a defined Scope of Work. Final funding decisions are made by the City Manager based on committee recommendations and available budget.