2026 Special Events Funding
The Special Events funding program provides financial support to qualified event producers, with funds generated by Tacoma Venues & Events and oversight by the City’s Events and Recognitions Committee.
The Special Events funding program reinvests revenues from Tacoma Venues & Events into the community to foster high-quality, accessible public events across Tacoma. The program also strengthens the capacity of producing organizations, helping them build sustainable funding strategies that ensure their long-term success.
If you have any questions, the Tacoma Venues & Events staff is here to help!
Email: communityevents@tacomavenues.org
Phone: 253.573.2523
This is a Google Translate-friendly page! For further assistance, please visit our Translation Services section.
The application for 2026 Special Events funding opens September 16th!
Check out the 2026 Special Events funding application questions.
Selected event producers must submit a fully executed proposal, meet deadlines, criteria, and expectations of the program, put on the event described in their proposal, and provide an invoice and final report on the event as directed by the program staff.
The Toolkit for Accessible & Welcoming Events will equip organizers with tools and guidance to plan events intentionally with resources for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) ensuring that Tacoma’s cultural richness and diversity are celebrated, and events are accessible to all residents.
The City Event Services program provides access to City of Tacoma services and non-monetary support for community special events that benefit Tacoma’s diverse communities.
Do you have any questions about Special Events funding or need extra help on your application?
We are hosting two Q&A sessions via Zoom!
The City uses Ariba to process contracts and pay vendors. This guide gives you a brief overview and answers basic questions.
Events awarded funding or services must provide a Certificate of Insurance naming the City of Tacoma as the Certificate Holder and verifying Commercial General Liability coverage, in accordance with the guidelines.
Here is a direct link to log in to Ariba after completing the account with the City’s Procurement & Payables.
Click here for the City of Tacoma’s SAP Ariba procurement process information.
Funded events are REQUIRED to use the TVE and City of Tacoma logos in all appropriate promotional material, public announcements, program, advertising, and other forms of notice related to the funded programming. Guidelines and submissions process will be available soon!
Use this editable budget template when submitting your application.
This editable invoice template is available to help with your Special Events funding application.
Please complete and submit the Final Report by December 2026.
Special Events funding Q&A Sessions
Session 1: Thursday September 30, at 3:00pm
Session 2: Friday, October 10, at 11:00am
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Email: communityevents@cityoftacoma.org
Phone: 253-573-2523