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:
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Community Based Events Innovation Fund Overview
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OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
The Community Based 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 for the 2025-2026 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 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 closes, eligible applications are 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 should not be restricted to cover only event permit fees, allowing producers to use the funds however is most impactful for their event- and funds should be disbursed directly to the applicant at the time they are awarded.
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☐ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☒ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
Redmond 2050, PARCC Plan
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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
- Increase community access to free activities for recreation and community building
- Reduce economic barriers to event producers who seek to host enriching events in Redmond
- BUILD STRONG COMMUNITIES
- Bring residents, tourists, and local businesses together
- 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:
- Social media
- Email newsletters
- City website
- Direct outreach to area non-profits and current/former event partners
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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)
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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: Community Based Events Innovation Fund Grant Call