Community Event Grants

The Community Events Grant (CEG), offered by the City of Thousand Oaks, supports nonprofit organizations in delivering community-focused visual or performing arts and cultural programming. This initiative aligns with the city’s broader commitment to enriching local cultural life and engaging residents through accessible events and projects that reflect community values and creativity. The program is locally administered and emphasizes direct service within city limits, encouraging civic pride and cultural participation. Programs outside city boundaries are only considered if they involve Thousand Oaks-based school groups performing or competing on behalf of the city. The CEG is intended for events and projects such as school band competitions, trail education programs in open spaces, ballet performances at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center, and other art or culture-based initiatives throughout the community. Projects must take place between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027, and all expenses—including matching contributions—must occur within this grant period. The funding supports both established and new projects, with the overarching goal of fostering cultural engagement, educational outreach, and artistic excellence within the Thousand Oaks community. Grant amounts range from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $9,000, with a strict 1:1 matching requirement. For team competitions, funding is capped at $100 per team member. The matching funds policy ensures organizational investment in the project and promotes financial sustainability. All grantees must submit a final Performance Report within 30 days of project completion or after all funds have been expended, ensuring transparency and accountability. The application period for the FY2026–27 cycle is scheduled from January 26, 2026, to February 26, 2026, closing precisely at 5:00 PM. Late applications are not accepted under any circumstances. Applications must be submitted via email to the designated grants inbox ([email protected]). A confirmation email will be issued during business hours. Applicants who do not receive confirmation should assume their submission was not received. A Word version of the application form can be requested via email if needed. All submissions are evaluated by the Community Funding Review Committee (CFRC), which is appointed by the City Council. The CFRC reviews and scores eligible applications and presents recommendations to the City Council, which makes the final funding decisions. Applicants will be notified of award status by mid-April 2026, providing adequate time to plan and execute approved projects within the designated fiscal year. Interested applicants, especially those affiliated with the Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) or school booster clubs, are directed to review additional guidance specific to their eligibility. For questions, the City of Thousand Oaks provides a direct email contact. No phone number or specific staff name is provided, reinforcing the importance of email-based communication for this grant opportunity.