Special Event Funding Program

• All applicants must be a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization
• Organization may only submit one application for an event
  • Multiple submissions from an organization will not be considered
• Events with multiple co-organizations will only be allowed to submit one application
• Ineligible organizations/events
  • City of Chandler Departments or Divisions
  • For-profit events
  • For-profit/Non-profit partnerships where the benefits to the non-profit organization cannot be demonstrated
  • School events
  • Any event where multiple organizations apply

All organizations must complete the following application process:

• Event Funding – Grant Application
• Provide a Certificate of 501(c)(3) Status
• Special Event Application (only if event takes place on public property)
  • Only online applications will be accepted
  • Submit Special Event Application
    • An account will need to be created to submit application, if needed
• Event Funding Budget Form
• Past or Current Promotional Materials

Important application dates and deadlines:

• Applications available – July 8, 2026
• Grant Application Workshop at Chandler City Hall or Video Conference
  • July 30, 2026 from 9 - 11 a.m.
• Applications must be received by August 20, 2026, at 5 p.m. (NO Exceptions)
• Applications reviewed by a committee on September 10, 2026
• Results ratified by the Chandler Cultural Foundation on Sept. 24, 2026
• Notification of Award letters emailed to all applicants during the week of Sept. 28, 2026

PLEASE NOTE:

1. Applications received that are incomplete and/or are not completed by the deadlinewill be considered ineligible.
2. Applications are reviewed to ensure they meet the application requirements. Applicants will be informed of missing items if time permits.
3. There is NO guarantee that your application will be reviewed for acceptance by the deadline, please do not wait until the last minute to submit the application.
4. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. You must completethe budget form and return it with your application.

Applicants will have the opportunity to meet with staff during the two-hour, appointment only, workshop to get more information on the program and process, have their questions answered, work on the application and receive immediate feedback on completing it. Applicants may attend the workshop in-person or by video conference. A reservation is required. Appointments are in 20-minute blocks. Applicants must bring their own computer with files needed for in-person assistance.

Thursday, July 30, 2026
9 - 11 a.m.
Chandler City Hall
175 S. Arizona Ave.
(Corner of Chicago St. and Washington St. Free Parking is available south of City Hall)

Please email Special Events to schedule an appointment. 

Applications for funding are reviewed by the Event Funding Committee, which ranks applications based upon the following criteria:

• Cultural and educational impact on the community and ability of the event to demonstrate Chandler’s unique diversity, history, and heritage
• Ability of the event to promote community pride and a positive image of the City of Chandler
• History of the applicant organization in producing the event, managerial and administrative ability of the applicant’s organization to carry out the event and properly administer sponsorship funds
• City where applicant’s organization is based (Chandler organizations receive greater consideration)
• Economic impact on the community
• Number of years the organization has received funding and how established the event has become
• The support of the event by additional City of Chandler funds, staff, or department
• Free vs. Admission based event

Ranked applications are then allocated funds based off ranking order, demonstrated need, funds eligible for, and available funds.

Applications are then submitted to the Chandler Cultural Foundation Board for approval. The Chandler Cultural Foundation is under contract with the City of Chandler to manage programs and events at the Chandler Center for the Arts. This nonprofit corporation has more than 30 years of experience in the selection and contracting of cultural programs.

The Event Funding Committee will consist of a panel of 6 citizens who sit on City appointed boards or commissions. The panel will be chaired by a member of the Chandler Cultural Foundation, with the chair being a non-voting member. The panel will rank the submitted applications and give their funding recommendations to the Chandler Cultural Foundation.

The Committee will consist of the following representatives:

• 2 - Cultural Foundation Members
  • 1 will be a non-voting Chair and the other will be a voting member
• 1 - Mayor’s Youth Commission
• 1 - Human Relations Commission
• 1 - Arts Commission
• 1 - Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities

No one applicant organization will receive more than $5,000 in sponsorship in any year (October 1 – September 30). Applicants are eligible for 50% of the eligible event costs with the total allocation not to exceed $5,000. Depending on the number and quality of applications received, it is possible that funding allocations may be lower than the amount requested by the applicant.

All applications receiving funds will be required to submit a final report on the event within 90 days following their event. That report shall include documented use of awarded funds, event attendance and highlights, etc. Failure to submit the report, in its entirety, within the specified timeline will eliminate the organization’s ability to apply for funds during the next call for applications.

Final reports not submitted by the deadline will face penalties during the following year’s application process.

The following penalties will be assessed:

Incomplete final reports will be given one opportunity to make the corrections within 72 hours of notification. If corrections are completed within the 72-hour period, the final report will be considered accepted at turned in date. If submitted corrections exceed the 72-hour period, the final report will be considered received when the corrections have been completed.

Fees that are not eligible for funding are items not directly related to holding the event, or fees that would reimburse the administrative costs of the organization putting on the event. Only cash expenses will be considered. Ineligible fees include, but are not limited to the following:

All decisions made by the Chandler Cultural Foundation are final and are not subject to appeals or further review.