Downtown Syracuse Foundation seeking grant applicants for Syracuse Cultural Festivals Fund

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Cultural Festivals Fund has $140,000 available for nonprofits that would like to apply for funding.

The City of Syracuse established the fund “in recognition that festivals and event programming contribute to a vibrant community,” per Monday’s announcement.

The money is intended to support nonprofit community groups organizing and delivering celebratory events centered on a specific theme that are free for the public to attend (no ticket purchase is required or involved); held in public spaces; and provide entertainment and/or activities for patrons.

Festivals that will be held between the timeframe of September 2024 through September 2025 are eligible for consideration and applications may be submitted for grant amounts between $3,000 and $10,000 per festival.

The Downtown Syracuse Foundation, Inc. administers the funding, which is meant to reimburse organizers for eligible expenses associated with awarded festivals and events. Applications should be submitted at least two months prior to the event or program date. Please note that any previously awarded Syracuse Cultural Festivals Fund grantees with events held in September 2024 are not eligible to apply for grant support for a September 2024 event.

The first round of applications is due at 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 20.  Additional rounds of funding will be made available based on funding availability.

Those interested can visit DowntownSyracuse.com/syracusefestivalfund to learn more and download the application.

“Cultural festivals are a celebration of Syracuse’s rich diversity and great neighborhoods. They are unique events that improve quality of life and strengthen our local economy. They are a big part of what makes city living special,” Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said. “I appreciate the Common Council’s commitment to the Syracuse Cultural Festivals Fund and encourage eligible event organizers to submit applications for funding.”