What is the Virginia Special Events & Festivals Program?
The Virginia Special Events & Festival Sponsorship Program purpose is to assist with marketing and production of established Virginia special events and festivals. Preference is given to special events and festivals that have a significant and positive economic impact on the Virginia local community with significant local/regional cash or in-kind match.
- Who is eligible: Virginia based special events and festivals for marketing and production of special events and festivals; special events and festivals must have at least two years of prior attendance since 2022 and must have a minimum attendance of 500 attendees Special events and festivals with less than 500 attendees should apply for the Marketing Leverage Program
- Impact of special events and/or festival must show positive and significant impact on tourism and marketing plan must be designed to drive visitation to Virginia. Only 50% of award may be spent on event production costs. Applications with plans to use production funding to expand festival capacity; add a stage, enhance visitor experience, add artisan markets, concessions, food trucks, or other revenue generating activities will score higher
- Award tiers:
- Tier One: 500-4,999 attendees; up to $5,000 award with minimum 50% cash or in-kind match
- Tier Two: 5,000-19,999 attendees; up to $10,000 award with minimum 50% cash or in-kind match
- Tier Three: 20,000+ attendees; up to $20,000 award with minimum 50% cash or in-kind match
- Open: September 22, 2026 Closes: October 29, 2026
For information and questions, please email VTCSEFProgram@virginia.org. For a full overview of VTC’s available funding programs, please visit www.vatc.org/grants.
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