Community and Cultural Events Grants

The Community and Cultural Events Grant is a pilot program launched by the City of Lacey to support nonprofit-led public events that enhance cultural understanding, inclusivity, and community connectedness across Lacey and its Urban Growth Area. Administered through the City's Human Services sector, the grant seeks to foster vibrant, community-driven celebrations that align with Lacey’s broader goals of equity, visibility, and civic engagement. Events supported by this program should demonstrate a strong capacity to bring together diverse populations, promote belonging, and reflect the mission and vision adopted by the Lacey City Council. This grant is open to nonprofit organizations that are either registered 501(c)(3) entities with the Washington Secretary of State or are working with a qualified fiscal sponsor. Religious organizations may also apply provided their event is not religious in nature and supports the program's goals. Political organizations or campaigns, and organizations that engage in discriminatory practices, are not eligible to apply. Each organization is allowed to submit only one application per funding cycle. The funding is provided on a reimbursement basis and may be used to cover direct expenses related to planning and delivering community or cultural events. Eligible costs include venue rental and permits, programming such as performers and speakers, marketing and promotional materials, food and beverage services, equipment rentals, volunteer and staffing costs, transportation logistics, and basic administrative overhead. However, the program prohibits use of funds for alcohol, drugs, religious or political promotion, and any activity that discriminates against protected classes. Grants range from $500 to a maximum of $5,000. While there is no requirement for a matching contribution, proposals that include matched funding may be viewed more favorably during evaluation. All submitted applications undergo a multi-phase review process beginning with a staff screening for completeness and eligibility. Qualified applications are then assessed by the Commission on Equity, which forwards recommendations to the Lacey City Council for final funding decisions. The City reserves the right to offer partial awards and is not obligated to fund every eligible submission. Applicants may be asked to present their proposal during the review stage. Successful grantees must enter into a formal agreement with the City and comply with specific requirements. These include maintaining general liability insurance, submitting relevant documentation such as proof of nonprofit status or fiscal sponsorship, and providing receipts and records for reimbursed expenses. Organizations must also agree to electronic document signing and report submission, including an annual report, and retain grant-related records for a minimum of seven years. If an event is canceled within the grant term without approved extenuating circumstances, the organization risks disqualification from future funding cycles. The City of Lacey is committed to transparency and will publish a list of grant recipients along with the amounts awarded and a brief description of how the funds were used. Through this initiative, the City seeks to affirm its dedication to building a welcoming and inclusive environment by directly investing in cultural and community-based initiatives that celebrate the richness and diversity of its residents.