2027 Special Events Funding Applications Open
Tacoma reinvests revenue to support free community events
The application window to receive funding for 2027 public-benefiting community events is now open. Each year, Tacoma Venues & Events (TVE) sets aside a portion of revenue generated at the Tacoma Dome and the Greater Tacoma Convention Center to reinvest back into the community through its Special Events Funding program. Applicants will also be invited to apply to receive support services from other City departments through the City Event Services program.
Through Aug. 4, 2026, organizers can apply to receive support for special events taking place in 2027. The City of Tacoma’s Events and Recognitions Committee (CERC) oversees the competitive application process. This council-appointed group of community members reviews and selects applications based on merit, capacity, and community impact as well as how the event fosters access, opportunity, and belonging.
In 2026, CERC awarded $90,000 in funding to support 28 organizations in producing special events that enriched Tacoma’s communities.
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. More information on the City Event Services program can be found on the Tacoma Venues & Events website.
The guidelines and application are available at tacomavenues.org. To support applicants in successfully preparing submissions, TVE will host two virtual informational, Q&A sessions:
• 10 a.m., Thursday, July 9: Register here
• 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 29: Register here
TVE team members are also available to answer questions and schedule one-on-one consultations. For more information or to request translation services, visit the TVE website.
Additional Resources for Applicants
TVE offers SkillShops, a free workshop series designed to equip event organizers with tools and resources for planning and producing successful events in Tacoma. These capacity-building, recorded sessions are available online and include resources, templates, and guidance on permitting, event safety, fundraising, sponsorship, budgeting, and access and belonging.
About the City’s Events and Recognitions Committee: CERC serves as an advisory and action committee for City-hosted events, special events funding, and recognition programs. Members are responsible for planning, reviewing, and evaluating events to receive grant funding and services, as well as engaging the community in its planning efforts for the City of Destiny Awards and the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.
About Tacoma Venues & Events: The City of Tacoma enhances quality of life for the community and drives economic vitality through its premier venues, special events, and diverse entertainment opportunities. TVE oversees these renowned venues, which include the Tacoma Dome, one of the world’s largest wood-domed structures with flexible seating configurations ranging from 5,000-21,000; the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, artful and modern with its trademark glass walls and 119,000 square feet of event space; Cheney Stadium, home of the Tacoma Rainiers; and the historic Pantages and Rialto Theaters and Theater on the Square. Tacoma Venues & Events reinvests revenue from city-owned venues into local events, cultural programming, and community grants.