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 |
TITLE:
title
Events Innovation Fund Update
recommendation
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
The Community Based Events Innovation Fund is a new grant aimed at expanding the Redmond community’s local access to enriching events. It was funded at $25,000 for the 2025-2026 biennium and a total of $23,000 was dispersed to five qualified 2026 event producers through a grant call program.
Grant Eligibility (condensed)
• Active nonprofit or fiscally sponsored organizations with an annual budget of less than $500,000.
• The event must have elements that are free to the public and occur on City of Redmond property.
• The primary mission of the event must be related to building community, increasing quality of life, access to the arts, wellness, or cultural heritage.
• Organization must follow all City of Redmond event permit or rental application timelines, requirements, and receive an approved City of Redmond permit or rental space.
Grant Allocation considerations (condensed)
• Once the annual application window closed, eligible applications were scored in areas of their event’s innovation, ability to build community, appeal to a wide audience, and financial need of their organization.
• Grant funds were not restricted to cover only event permit fees, allowing producers to use the funds however is most impactful for their event.
• Funds were disbursed directly to the applicant at the time they are awarded.
body
☒ 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 Community Based Events Innovation Fund administrative team carefully juried qualified applicants and granted the five top-scoring, non-profit organizations with awards ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 each.
2026 Grant Recipients:
• GreenStage Shakespeare in the Park - $5,000
• Folonko Sports Passport to the World Global Soccer Watch Party - $5,000
• Turkish Women Charity and Aid Organization - World Cup Watch Party - $3,000
• OneRedmond Fall Concert Series at Downtown Park - $5,000
• BigFoot Kids Book Festival - $5,000
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline:
o October 2025 - Grant call opened
o January 2026 - Grant call closed
o February 2026 - Applications screened and juried, winners notified
o March 2026 - Contracts routed, awards distributed
o July - October 2026 - Grant-funded events take place throughout Redmond
• Outreach Methods and Results:
o Social media
o E-mail newsletters
o City website
o Direct outreach to area non-profits and current/former event partners
• Feedback Summary:
o Feedback will be collected from 2026 award recipients regarding the outcomes of their events 30 days after each event concludes. Feedback will also be collected from event producers on their experience participating in this grant process.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
$25,000 for the 2025-2026 biennium already allotted to this new grant fund
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)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
6/24/2025 |
Committee of the Whole - Parks and Environmental Sustainability |
Receive Information |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
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 Update