The Cleveland Major Events Grant Program

Thank you for selecting Cleveland as the host of your upcoming event. The Cleveland Major Events Grant Program is intended to support the execution of high-profile, national-scale events hosted within and benefitting the City of Cleveland.

Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis. Selected recipients will only receive the approved grant following the submission, review and approval of required post-event documentation as outlined below. Incomplete or inadequate documentation may result in forfeiture of grant.

Program eligibility is as follows:

• The main event and most satellite events must be located within the City of Cleveland
• Other cities/locations are or were being considered to host the event
• 80% or more of official lodging booked on behalf of the event must be located in the City of Cleveland, as capacity allows
• The event must offer equal and equitable access in terms of who can purchase tickets or attend
• The entity receiving the grant is a nonprofit organization OR locally managed by a nonprofit organization
• The entity organizing the event must provide an amount equal to or larger than the amount of grant funding being sought from the Major Events Grant Program
• The event must expect at least 2,000 out of town attendees (traveling from 100 miles or more) for a singular event and/or must generate multiple placements in national and/or top 10 market media outlets
• The program will not support the same event more than once in a five year period 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Selected recipients will only receive the approved grant following the submission, review and approval of required post-event documentation. Incomplete or inadequate documentation will result in forfeiture of grant. Grant disbursement is contingent upon submission of the following post-event documentation:

Before You Apply:

Applicant must provide the following documentation and information to Destination Cleveland no more than 30 days after the event concludes.

o   Accounting of eligible expenses[i] to which grant funds will be applied, including paid vendor invoices and proof of payments to vendors.

o   Economic Impact Report completed by third-party research organization OR
Data for completion of economic impact report through Destinations International Events Impact Calculator:

§  Event Parameters

·         Event Type (pick one): Business Meeting, Convention, Trade Show, Sports

·         Market Segment (pick one): Association/Corporate, Government, SMERF (Social, Military, Educational, Religious, or Fraternal)

·         Meeting Space (pick one): In hotel or outside of hotel

·         % of attendees/participants as Overnight Visitors

·         % of attendees/participants who are Local (not staying overnight)

·         Total number of room nights contracted (or booked)

·         Average daily hotel room rate (contracted block rate or average market rate)

·         % of overnight attendees/participants arriving by airplane

§  Organizer Spending in Cleveland

·         Space Rental Costs

·         Food & Beverage Costs

·         Audio/Visual Costs

·         Internet Costs

·         Security Costs

·         Other Services (in-market transportation, décor, entertainment, etc.)

o   Proof of minimum out-of-town attendance (1,000 people from more than 100 miles away). This must be provided in the form of confirmed attendee or ticketholder list with associated Zip Codes for each attendee/ticketholder.

In lieu of OR in addition to proof of out-of-town attendance, please provide proof of earned media coverage in national and/or Top 10 media market news organizations (audience of +500,000) that features Cleveland, its position as an emerging/revitalized city and/or its key industries.

For more information please reach out to majorevents@clevelandohio.gov.

Eligible Expenses. Generally, the following are examples of allowable expenses for the Grant Program:

a.       Production costs

b.       Costs associated with securing volunteers

c.       Amenities for the event, such as decorations

d.       Capital enhancements

e.       In-market transportation costs [e.g., limo/shuttle service between airport and hotels]

f.        Site preparations such as rentals of facilities, tents, chairs, tables, trash/recycling containers, barricades and other similar items

g.       Marketing expenses such as graphic design, flyers, newspaper/TV/radio ads, social media and other similar items

h.       Entertainment expenses such as bands/DJ’s, equipment for staging, lighting and other items

i.         Accommodations to ensure compliance with ADA/Rehabilitation Act of 1973

j.         Permit and licensing fees and

k.       Security and or police

 Ineligible Expenses. The following are ineligible expenses for the Grant Program:

a.       Prize money, awards, plaques, trophies, or certificates

b.       Purchase of tangible personal property

c.       Interest payments or reduction of existing organizational deficits or loans

d.       Travel expenses

e.       Alcoholic beverages

f.        Food, beverages and catering

g.       Taxes and

h.       Costs for lobbying or attempting to influence federal, state, or local regulation