The City of Bend offers funding to support community programs, services, and events that promote community outreach and education regarding City initiative 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. 

Key Principles

  • Fair 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.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for sponsorship, applications must meet the following criteria:

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.

Event, program, or project must:

  • Have a clear connection to Council Goals and/or City initiatives.
  • Demonstrate a clear public purpose.
    • In general, a public purpose is defined as an activity or service that is open to all members of the public, regardless of race, color, national origin, age (if the individual is 18 years of age or older), religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, religious affiliation, veteran status, or genetic information., and which does not promote a particular religion. In addition, all programs must be accessible to individuals with disabilities, as set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
  • Be free and open to all community members to attend or participate.
    • If a registration fee is required, a sliding scale or scholarship option must be available.
  • 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.

Application Deadlines

General Requests

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

  • If you submit your application by March 31, it will be considered for an award in April.
  • If you submit your application by September 30, it will be considered for an award in October.

Welcoming Week

The window to submit a 2025 Welcoming Week Proposal is now closed. 

Interested in Hosting a Welcoming Event?

If you would like to host a Welcoming Week event in 2025, please submit a Sponsorship Request Form (linked below) by June 30, 2025, with an event proposal for a Welcoming Week event. Event proposals are not required to be fully ironed out - all ideas are welcome! 

For Welcoming Week 2025, we are looking for applications that promote welcoming initiatives, culture, and connectedness as well as other community discussions and panels.  The City has set aside $23,000 to be divided across multiple events that occur over the course of Welcoming Week, September 12-21, 2025. Organizations are encouraged to collaborate with other community partners to create event proposals that will populate the Welcoming Week calendar. 

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 initiatives 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 and Projects

These are programs and projects run by local community organizations that promote outreach and education about City initiatives 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.

Request to be Sponsored

Ready to request sponsorship for your organization's event or program?

Post-Event/Program Reporting

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

Awardees

Below you will find a report and list of all sponsorship and grant awards for the 2023-2025 Biennium: