Community Sponsorship & Grant Program

The City of Bend offers funding to support community programs, services, and events that promote community outreach and education regarding City initiatives and Council Goals. Read more on Council Goal descriptions. Program guidelines are outlined in the Sponsorship & Grant Program Awards and Use of City of Funds Policy.

Notice of Upcoming Application Process Changes

Effective April 1, 2026, Sponsorship Applications will only be available and accepted during the following windows:

• August 1 – September 30
• February 1 – March 31

The application will no longer be available throughout the year. Shifting to twice a year application windows simplifies the application and review process. The City is committed to maintaining the twice a year review and award cadence to ensure nonprofits and community groups have a predictable timeline and process for seeking City Sponsorship funds.

• Equitable Access: Provides funds to community partners in a fair and accessible manner.
• Promotion of City Goals: Supports events and programs that enhance the City’s outreach and education efforts and ensure a discrimination-free environment.
• Transparency: Ensures a clear and open application and review process.
• Responsible Funding: Distributes funds responsibly to avoid dependency on City funds.

Applications are considered by the City’s internal Sponsorship Review Committee, using the following categories to assist with award determinations that promote City initiatives and have the highest impact with the funds available. Applications are not required to meet all the categories listed below, but applications addressing multiple categories will be prioritized for funding.

• Priority Event: Application is for an event identified in the Sponsorship Program Policy (a holiday parade, a 4th of July parade, a Veteran’s Day parade, a Juneteenth celebration, a summer Pride event).

• Alignment with Council Goals and/or City Initiatives: Application demonstrates a clear connection to at least one Council Goal, as outlined in the current Council Goal Work Plan and/or is clearly connected to an ongoing City initiative within the community, which may include (but is not limited to) economic development, water conservation, environmental sustainability, or community engagement with local government.

• Inclusion & Belonging: Event or program intentionally fosters community building and encourages inclusion, belonging, and connection across cultures, identities, and viewpoints.

• Public Access: Event or program is open to the public and free to attend or participate, or a sliding scale or scholarship option is available.

• Budget Sustainability & Use of Funds: Application clearly demonstrates a complete budget for the event and program with multiple funding sources and requested City of Bend funds are not a significant portion of the total budget. Requested funds are reasonable with clear and responsible application of City funds to event or program. Event or program is likely to still occur if not granted City funds.

Additionally, Applicants must meet one of the following requirements to receive City funds:

• Entity registered with the Secretary of State with valid EIN and current W-9;

• An individual with a valid Social Security Number and W-9 (note that awarded funds may be taxable income under Federal IRS tax law); or

• Organizations not registered with the Oregon Secretary of State must have a fiscal sponsor identified that meets either requirement listed above via a fiscal sponsor agreement to accept funds on behalf of the applicant for the specified event, program, or project. The City may require both the applicant and the fiscal sponsor to indemnify and defend the City and to assume all responsibility and liability for the event, program, or project.

Events and Programs applying for funds may not promote religious or political agendas and must not discriminate based on age, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, national origin, or any other protected class described in applicable federal, state, or local law.

After completing the application review process, the Sponsorship Review Committee provides a recommendation to the City Manager of selected applications and proposed award amounts. Awards are dependent on available budget and City Manager approval.

Funding Categories

The discretionary community funds program supports a variety of events and programs, most of which fall into one of the categories below.

Community Events

The City has identified community-wide events that hold community-wide interest, history, and value as sponsored events. These events include: a holiday parade, a 4th of July parade, a Veteran’s Day parade, a Juneteenth celebration, a summer Pride event, and Welcoming Week events. Additional events may be selected for sponsorship, which typically include events hosted by local community organizations that promote outreach and education about City priorities and Council Goals. Preference is given to community-wide events with no participation barriers (e.g., entrance fees, limited capacity). Event sponsorships are a one-time payment, and the funds must be used to support the specified event.

Community Programs

These are programs run by local community organizations that promote outreach and education about City priorities and Council Goals. Program grants are issued according to a grant agreement with a specified Scope of Work outlining how City funds will be used to achieve the program goals.

The City of Bend Sponsorship Program accepts applications twice a year to give all organizations a fair chance to access funds throughout the fiscal year (July – June).

Spring Application Period:

• The Sponsorship Application is open from February 1 to March 31. Applications are reviewed in April, and final decisions and payments are made in May.
• If your event or program takes place between June and December, you should apply during the Spring application period.

Fall Application Period:

• The Sponsorship Application is open from August 1 to September 30. Applications are reviewed in October, and final decisions and payments are made in November.
• If your event or program takes place between January and May, you should apply during the Spring application period.

Welcoming Week

Stay tuned for more information regarding 2026 Welcoming Week event applications.

Recipients of the City of Bend Discretionary Community Fund must submit a post-event or post-program summary. This report should include:

• An accounting of how City funds were used
• A brief description of the perceived impact on the local community
• Number of participants
• Benefits experienced by participants

A post-event/program conversation with City staff can be held in lieu of a report, if desired.

Send reports to: sponsorships@bendoregon.gov