Property owners, residents, and businesses located in the DDB district and events or projects that will occur in the DDB district are eligible to apply for grants. Grant funds must be used for events and projects intended to attract residents, tourists, businesses, and their employees in order to increase positive awareness of and revitalize the DDB District. Grant requests must comply with state and local laws, ordinances, regulations, and the DDB ordinance, bylaws, policies, and current work plan. Grant requests will be considered in two categories: Special Events and Business Assistance. Each category will be allocated a funding amount during each annual budget process. A map of the DDB District can be found here.

Special Events

The DDB seeks to ensure an economically vibrant downtown that explores opportunities for organizations and special event organizers to collaborate and combine efforts with the DDB to maintain consistent downtown activation. Toward this end, the DDB looks to partner with organizations or downtown stakeholders to produce events designed to market and promote the unique attributes of Downtown Clearwater. Special events will be considered in the following two categories: Community Event with estimated attendance of 300 or more or High Impact Event with estimated attendance of 2,000, must be an established event organizer with 2+ years of experience operating large-scale events.

Community Event Funding:

1. Funding Request not to exceed $15,000
2. Estimated attendance of 300 or more
3. Event must be free and open to the public
4. Applicants’ contribution is 20% of total event estimated cost.

High Impact Event Funding:

1. Funding request not to exceed $30,000
2. Estimated attendance exceeding 2,000 (over the entirety of the event)
3. Event must be free and open to the public for admission.
4. Must be an established event organizer with 2+ years of experience operating large-scale events. A large-scale event is defined as an event exceeding 2,000 people in attendance.
5. Applicants’ contribution is 20% of the total event estimated cost (this includes additional 3rd party sponsorship)
6. Any event organizer that is requesting a High Impact Funding in an amount that exceeds $30,000 will be required to submit a memo as part of the application providing proof that their respective special event will add quantifiable value and a favorable community benefit outcome to the downtown. The DDB at sole discretion may approve a grant amount that exceeds $30,000 for High Impact events with proven success records, as determined by the DDB.

Special events grants will be used to cover direct production costs for the following:

1. Venue rental: The cost of renting the space where the event will be held.
2. Entertainment: Costs associated with performers, speakers, or other entertainment booked for the event (excluding travel accommodations).
3. Marketing and Promotion: Advertising, marketing materials, and promotional activities related to the event.
4. Décor and Design: Costs associated with setting up the event space, including decorations, lighting, and staging.
5. Audio-Visual Equipment: Rental of sound systems, projectors, screens, and other equipment needed for the event.
6. Printing and Stationery: Costs associated with printing tickets, programs, brochures, and other event materials.
7. Security: Costs associated with security measures, such as security personnel or security systems.
8. Insurance: Costs associated with event insurance coverage to protect against potential liabilities.
9. City Fees: Including vehicle mitigation fees to the police department or other less expensive alternatives acceptable to the police payable to third parties. (if the event is on private property, city fees are excluded from reimbursement)

Business Assistance Grants:

Business assistance grant requests are available for exterior improvements to commercial property and marketing for businesses. With an eligible reimbursement of up to 50% of the project cost. Eligible costs include but are not limited to, digital, broadcast, and print marketing, exterior signage, lighting, planters, and outdoor seating. The DDB will prioritize funding requests by taking the following factors into account:

1. Requests made by businesses that have not received grants from the DDB more than twice in the past 5 years;
2. Requests made for property or building unit that has received a grant in the past 5 years, and
3. Projects intended to generate pedestrian traffic within the DDB District.

The DDB welcomes your funding request. The applicant will complete a grant funding request form at least 90 days before the DDB meeting, at which time it is to be submitted and reviewed by CRA and Special Event staff. CRA Staff will provide direction to the applicant on the DDB’s funding priorities. Any first-time “event” applicants must schedule a meeting with CRA and Special Event staff prior to filling out an application.

Applications for special events must be accompanied by the following:

1. Proof of Special Events Division of the City of Clearwater tentative letter of approval
2. Budget outlining the total project cost, requested amount from the DDB, applicant 20%, and any additional third-party contributions, including event vendor fees.
3. Map layout of event

Applications for Business Assistance Grants must be accompanied by:

1. Proof of a current City of Clearwater Business Tax Receipt
2. Proof of tenancy or ownership of the property

Applicants looking for Special Event Funding and the event is held within the DDB boundary cannot apply for Parks and Recs Community Sponsorship Program. Any event organizer that is requesting High Impact Funding in an amount that exceeds $30,000 will be required to submit a memo as part of the application providing proof that their respective special event will add quantifiable value and a favorable community benefit outcome to the downtown. Event organizers will ensure that local merchants are informed about the event and given the opportunity to participate if they choose to do so.

The entire Clearwater Downtown Development Board Grant Request Policy and Procedure is linked here.

Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency

Vickie Shire, CRA Program Manager

600 Cleveland Street, Suite 600

Office - 727-441-7127

Email - vickie.shire@myclearwater.com

All information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that the Downtown Development Board can decide to fund or not fund any grant request and their decision is final.