In June 2008, Cincinnati City Council approved a new policy for providing funding assistance to special events in the City of Cincinnati.  The new policy establishes a process for events to apply for funding assistance in the form of a credit toward the cost of invoiced City services provided to the event (i.e., Police, Fire, Traffic Engineering, Public Services).

Funding will be awarded by City Council’s Arts, Culture, Tourism, Marketing, & Technology Committee and will be subject to appropriation of program funding by City Council as part of the 2009-10 Biennial Budget Process.

For the purposes of this program, a “special event” is defined as those events requiring a Special Event Permit through the Cincinnati Police Department.  A Special Event Permit is required if; (a) it occurs on public property and (b) the attendance will be 3,000 or more (or) there will be alcohol sales.  Special Event Permit applications can be obtained from the CPD website at:  http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/police/pages/-5369-/

To be considered eligible for funding, events must:

• Require a Special Permit form the Cincinnati Police Department.
• Occur within the City of Cincinnati right-of-way or within a City of Cincinnati Park or Recreational Facility. Events that occur on private property are not eligible for funding. 
• Be free or open to the public.
• Have previously occurred each year for the past two (2) consecutive years.
• Be in good standing on all previous City invoices.

In addition, events receiving funding will be required to submit follow up reports documenting expenses and revenues for the event.  The attached Special Events Assistance Program Guidelines contains a full list of eligibility criteria, program restrictions, and other program information.

To apply, event producers should submit a typewritten cover letter along with a completed Special Events Assistance Program Application Form.  Please see the complete SEAP Guidelines below for more information. 

Eligible parties wishing to submit an application for assistance through this policy should submit a proposal in accordance with the Guidelines below to:

Mr. Michael Thomas
Cincinnati Recreation Commission
II Centennial Plaza
805 Central Ave., Suite 800
Cincinnati, OH 45202
(513) 352-4000

Applications must be received no later than 5:00 PM on Monday, November 17, 2008.  All events awarded funding through this process shall agree to the terms of the SEAP Program.  Funding will be awarded by City Council’s Arts, Culture, Tourism, Marketing, & Technology Committee and will be subject to appropriation of program funding by City Council as part of the 2009-10 Biennial Budget Process.  Any funding awarded will be provided as a credit toward the invoice for City services provided to the event in calendar year 2009.  Funds awarded may not be applied retroactively.  Events accepting funds awarded through the SEAP agree to utilize City of Cincinnati services for all required Police, Fire, Public Services Traffic & Road Operations (TROD), and Traffic Engineering needs.  Due to FLSA and City labor contracts, use of funds awarded through this program may affect the final cost calculations for City staff time.

 SEP Guidelines