TO: Committee of the Whole - Parks and Environmental Sustainability
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Parks |
Loreen Hamilton |
425-556-2336 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Parks |
Lindsey Tusing |
Events and Marketing Supervisor |
|
Parks |
Brittany Pratt |
Parks Manager |
|
Parks |
Zach Houvener |
Parks Deputy Director |
TITLE:
title
Events Innovation Fund Overview
recommendation
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
The Events Innovation Fund is a new grant offering that seeks to increase the Redmond community’s local access to enriching events. It is funded at $25,000 per biennium and will be dispersed in $250 - $5,000 award amounts to qualified event producers through a grant call program. The grant call will be administered annually by Arts and Culture staff within Parks and Recreation.
Grant Eligibility (condensed)
• Active nonprofit organizations with an annual budget of less than $250,000.
• The event must have elements that are free to the public and occur within Redmond city limits (98052).
• Applicant must substantiate expected attendance of at least 500 people for the associated event.
• The primary mission of the event must be related to building community, increasing quality of life, access to the arts, wellness, or cultural heritage.
Grant Allocation considerations (condensed)
• Once the annual application window closes, eligible applicants are sorted to prioritize small grant awards that will fund as many new events as possible
• Grant funds should not be restricted to cover only event permit fees, allowing producers to use the funds however is most impactful for their event
• Applicant may seek these grant funds for a stand-alone event their organization is hosting or for an element or attraction they are planning within a greater event hosted by the City of Redmond or another organization.
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☐ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☒ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
Redmond 2050, PARCC Plan
• Required:
N/A
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
N/A
OUTCOMES:
The Events Innovation Fund grant program aims to positively impact the City by contributing to the following PARCC Plan priorities:
• EXPAND ACCESS FOR ALL
o Increase community access to free activities for recreation and community building
o Reduce economic barriers to event producers who seek to host enriching events in Redmond
• BUILD STRONG COMMUNITIES
o Bring residents, tourists, and local businesses together
o Increase the diversity of event offerings to better reflect the whole of Redmond’s vibrant community and visitors
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
The first grant call would open in the fall of 2025 to receive and evaluate grant applications for events taking place in the 2026 calendar year.
• Outreach Methods and Results:
Methods of spreading awareness about this new grant opportunity will include:
o Social media
o Email newsletters
o City website
o Direct outreach to area non-profits and current/former event partners
• Feedback Summary:
N/A
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
$25,000 for the 2025-2026 biennium
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
0000298
Budget Priority:
Strategic and Responsive
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
One-Time Service Enhancement / General Fund Surplus
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
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Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
|
N/A |
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Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
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Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
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N/A |
None proposed at this time |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
N/A
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Events Innovation Fund Overview