Apply for City Co-Sponsorship

Blues on the block

The city of Clearwater offers event co-sponsorships to help enhance and support community and high-impact events. Please review the below options to determine which program is the most appropriate for your event.

Requests for event support from the city of Clearwater will only be offered through these designated programs. Additional funding or support requested directly from other city departments will not be available for events taking place after October 1, 2024.

If you have any questions, please call the Special Events Division at (727) 562-4700 or email specialevents@myclearwater.com

Community Event Co-Sponsorship

This program is designed to assist smaller Clearwater-based non-profit community organizations to conduct special events in the city of Clearwater not to exceed $20,000 in funding, with a minimum attendance of 300.

Step 1.Find Out If You Qualify

Events must meet certain criteria to be considered for the co-sponsorship program, including:

  • Must be a Pinellas County-based entity or organization with no current co-sponsorship, in-kind services, or funding agreements with the city of Clearwater Parks & Recreation Department.  Multiple requests for support for separate community special events by one organization will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Organizations with approved “High Impact” events do not qualify for this program.

  • Must be a registered 501c (3) non-profit organization.
  • Event must be free and open to the public for admission.
  • Entity or organization is recommended to have run the event independently without funding assistance from the city for at least (1) year.
  • Estimated attendance of 300 or more.
  • Requested support not to exceed $20,000.

Step 2.Gather Your Materials

This application takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete and is unable to be saved. Before you continue, please make sure you have all the documents prepared ahead of time. If you wish to include any supporting documentation that will help evaluate your request (economic impact survey, for example), please attach them in the designated spot above or e-mail it to: SpecialEvents@MyClearwater.com.

Items You May Need:

  • Certificate of Insurance
  • Website URL
  • Social Media URL
  • Event Dates & Times
  • Event Goals, Target Audience and History
  • Community Partners and Outside Support
  • Marketing Plan
  • Estimated Attendance
  • Site Plan
  • Food, Vendor and Event Details
  • Sanitation & Recycling Information
  • Proof of non-profit status.

Step 3.Submit Your Application

Organizers/promoters may submit their applications for consideration no more than 365 days and a minimum of 120 days in advance of the event date. Priority will be given to the application based on the date of submission, and funding availability.

Applicants are encouraged to be as specific as possible in their applications. The review process does not begin until the COMPLETED APPLICATION, including all required attachments, has been submitted. Incomplete applications may be disqualified from consideration.

Submission and acceptance of this application is not to be construed as an approval of your request for a Permit. A Special Event Application must also be submitted separately from this application. If any information provided in either application, and/or if the application does not comply with the timeframes, deadlines, and other requirements, the permit and request for co-sponsorship may be denied.

Submit Your Application

Step 4.The committee will review your application.

The Special Event Committee will review applications quarterly in July, October, January, and April.

Quarter 1

Deadline to Apply: June 1
Committee Review: 1st Week of July

Quarter 2

Deadline to Apply: Sept. 1
Committee to Review: 1st Week of October

Quarter 3

Deadline to Apply: Dec. 1
Committee to Review: 1st Week of January

Quarter 4

Deadline to Apply: March 1
Committee to Review: 1st Week of April

Co-Sponsorship is approved at a specific level on a year-to-year basis. Applicants must re-apply annually.

This application takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete and is unable to be saved. Before you continue, please make sure you have all the documents prepared ahead of time.

High Impact Event Co-Sponsorship

This program is designed specifically for regional, national, or global events with an estimated attendance above 5,000 people, or as designated by the Special Events Committee, requiring a minimum of $20,000 to cover city service fees.

PLEASE NOTE: Applications are accepted in January, and reviewed once per year, in February, for the following Fiscal Year. The city’s Fiscal Year is October 1 - September 30. Submission and acceptance of this application is not to be construed as an approval of your request for a Permit. A Special Event Application must also be submitted separately from this application.

Cash funds are not a part of this sponsorship program.

Step 1.Find Out If You Qualify.

Events must meet certain criteria to be considered for this co-sponsorship program, including:

  • Estimated attendance exceeding 5,000 (over the entirety of the event) or a clearly defined positive economic impact.
  • Event organizers must be in good standing with the city of Clearwater (no outstanding invoices, prior event success, no violations of city ordinances or policies as outlined by staff).
  • Letter of support from at least one other municipality for prior events within that area are recommended for any “new” applicants.
  • 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 5,000 people in attendance.
  • Support from Visit St. Pete Clearwater is preferred, but not required.
  • The event should be reasonably compatible with the surrounding area in which it takes place.
  • The event shows innovation, creativity and uniqueness to set it apart from other competing events; including regional.
  • There should not be similar events that conflict or compete for venue, participants or spectators within a reasonable time frame.
  • The timing and date exhibits weather that is likely to be conducive to the success of the event.
  • The promoter has an effective plan to advertise, market or otherwise promote the event. Further, the promoter will acknowledge the city of Clearwater as a co-sponsor in all advertisements.
  • There are no unresolved legal issues with the proposed conduct of this event, and it is not politically motivated or sensitive.

Step 2.Gather Your Materials 

This application takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete and is unable to be saved. Before you continue, please make sure you have all the documents prepared ahead of time. If you wish to include any supporting documentation that will help evaluate your request (economic impact survey, for example), please attach them in the designated spot or e-mail it to: SpecialEvents@MyClearwater.com.

Items You May Need:

  • Certificate of Insurance
  • Website URL
  • Social Media URL
  • Event Dates & Times
  • Event Goals, Target Audience and History
  • Community Partners and Outside Support
  • Marketing Plan
  • Estimated Attendance
  • Site Plan
  • Food, Vendor and Event Details
  • Sanitation & Recycling Information

Step 3.Submit Your Application.

Organizers/promoters may submit their applications for consideration between January 1-January 31 for consideration of support for the following fiscal year (October - September).

Applicants are encouraged to be as specific as possible in their applications. The review process does not begin until the COMPLETED APPLICATION, including all required attachments, has been submitted. Incomplete applications may be disqualified from consideration.

Submission and acceptance of this application is not to be construed as an approval of your request for a Permit. A Special Event Application must also be submitted separately from this application. If any information provided in either application, and/or if the application does not comply with the timeframes, deadlines, and other requirements, the permit and request for co-sponsorship may be denied.

Submit Your Application

Step 4.The committee will review your application.

The Partnership Review Committee, a sub-committee of the Special Events Committee, shall review all applications in February. The committee may also take into consideration whether an event reoccurs within the same fiscal year. Applicants may be asked to attend the meeting to answer questions and clarify support needs.

Recommendations on levels of support for specific events exceeding $20,000 in partnership value will be included as an agenda item to be considered and approved by the City Council. These specific event organizers may be required to attend the meeting to provide an overview of their event, including the positive impacts to the community and specific funding requests. Failure to attend will result in the automatic denial of the partnership request.

The city council shall approve its desired level of support for each applicant, directing all departments involved to budget the necessary support for the following fiscal year. The city budget is developed between March and August, with final Council approval in September. The organizer/promoter will be responsible to cover the difference if co-sponsorship does not cover all fees.

The City Manager may withdraw or reduce future City support for an event in accordance with Article III, Section 22.87(2) of the Clearwater Code of Ordinances. If the Co-Sponsorship application is denied, the city of Clearwater assumes no liability for expenses incurred by the applicant.

Co-Sponsorship is approved at a specific level on a year-to-year basis. Applicants must re-apply annually.

This application takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete and is unable to be saved. Before you continue, please make sure you have all the documents prepared ahead of time.