The City of Racine and Real Racine are excited to announce the 2023 Special Event Grant Fund was awarded to these recipients:
Mahogany Gallery, Wisconsin Black Art & Culture Expo
Downtown Racine Corporation, Party on the Pavement and Racine HarborMarket
Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin, Veterans and Military Art Fair
School of Unusual Life Learning, Multiple Events
Racine Art Guild, Starving Artist Fair
H.O.P.E. Safehouse, Furry Friends Community Pet Drive, and Annual Meet and Greet Event
Racine Zoo, Jack-O'-Lantern Nights
About the 2023 Special Event Grant Fund
The goal is to help fund new events that will bring in visitors from outside of the area who are likely to stay overnight in an area hotel or motel. The fund utilizes 10% of the total room tax collected by the City of Racine. There was approximately $20,000 available.
The program accepted applications from non-profit 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) organizations for the marketing of events and projects that will occur within the City of Racine. They must be open to the general public, non-political in nature and be held in a venue that is ADA accessible. Conventions and exhibitions, as a component of a convention, and business meetings were not eligible for funding. Organizations that were grant recipients in the past could apply, but preference was given to first time applicants. We were especially looking for events that will seek to promote Racine's culture, and specifically promote the lifestyle of our residents. Elements that shape our way of life such as the history of the area, our art, architecture, religion(s), recreation, sports, or health/fitness were considered for funding.
The grant is to be used for marketing the event or project outside of the Racine metropolitan area. This is a matching grant fund, which means that the organization must, at a minimum, match dollar-for-dollar the amount awarded. This can be done either "in kind" or by cash.
