The Hillsborough County Special Events Partnership Grants (SEPG) is now accepting funding applications from nonprofits focused on community building through arts, culture, and lifestyle programs. The county is looking to give these grants to nonprofits that encourage community art participation and will add to the cultural wellbeing of Hillsborough County. Nonprofit organizers have until July 22 to apply.
Who can apply?
Hillsborough County is taking extra steps this year to enrich Tampa life and culture through the special funding of nonprofits events this summer. Nonprofit organizers of fine arts, historic, natural/recreational, culinary, lifestyle, or creative industries events have until July 22 to apply for up to $100,000 in matching Special Events Partnership Grants (SEPG) from Hillsborough County.
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The Cultural Assets Commission is sponsoring these grants in order to support local nonprofits and special events that encourage peacemaking and community-building outcomes aligned with the County’s economic and community prosperity goals. Events supported by this program should support community wellbeing and participation through arts, culture, history, and other genres that connect residents to Hillsborough County.
Need more examples? Here is a list of previous SPEG awardees.
Grant criteria
The program is not intended to support currently active events, but to grow emerging nonprofits’ new events and add to the Hillsborough County culture with novel cultural experiences. Only registered non-profits with required permits are invited to apply, and their event projects must meet the following criteria:
- Proposals must be for a one-day event, a multiday event occurring on consecutive days, or a related series of events over an extended period of time
- Be inclusive (no limits on who may purchase tickets or attend)
- Take place in Hillsborough County
- Be held in a publicly visible and accessible location
- Not already be receiving Hillsborough County funding through certain County programs offered by the Arts Council of Hillsborough County or through other direct County funding arrangements
With this funding, Hillsborough County hopes to not only enrich its community but to support emerging nonprofits as they create new opportunities for residents to connect and engage.
The application period for this funding cycle ends at 5 p.m. on July 22, 2022. Eligible events must occur between Oct. 1, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2023.