Rochester Downtown Alliance Start-up Event Grant

The Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) is accepting applications for the Start-Up Event Grant, which funds new events, fresh ideas, and exciting programs that will encourage community and business engagement in downtown Rochester. It is important to note that this grant is a partial reimbursement-based grant. Award funding will be distributed half upfront and half post-event.

This grant focuses on partnering with individuals/community organizations to build sustainable and effective events that align with RDA’s mission “to create, enhance, and promote a downtown experience that is welcoming, fun and livable,” and engage a range of cultures, ages, and backgrounds.

For more information, check out our Application Guide and FAQs

Deadline for applications: This grant has transitioned to a rolling grant, which means there is no deadline. However, we recommend applying 3-6 months prior to your event to ensure adequate time for the grant process and event planning.

The Start-Up Event Grant plays an important role in inspiring events that help meet the needs of downtown in any given year. In 2025, we are especially looking for applications that:

Interest in partnering with RDA in event execution
Engage/support current businesses by increasing downtown foot traffic and driving commerce
Activations of the Peace Plaza and the Chateau Theatre (RDA can help negotiate venue costs)
Events anticipating large attendance with high community impact.
Take place on evenings and weekends.
Events kept free and open to the public.
Winter events
Grant Awards:

The Start-Up Event Grant fund is jointly funded by RDA and Destination Medical Center (DMC).
  • Awards can be up to $5,000
    • Administrative overhead should be minimal
    • Funds can be used for catering and vendors but may not be used for direct food, beverage, or alcohol purchase
    • Funds may not be used to purchase permanent (depreciable) assets (tools, laptops, cameras, etc.), or for political or religious event, activities, or programs
  • This is a partial reimbursement-based grant award (half upfront and half post-event). If you receive funding, organizers will need to submit the following items:
    • A completed W9 prior to the event for the initial payment.
    • All receipts and invoices post-event
    • The final budget post event
    • A completed event recap forms (includes attendance, photos, and event summary)
Grant requirements:
Location: The event, activity, or program must take place in the downtown Rochester’s special service district (SSD).

First Year Recipients: If this will be the first time receiving the Start-Up Event Grant funding, you may use it as your sole source of funding. This includes events that may have been done before, but have never been funded by this grant.

Second Year and Up Recipients: Second year and above recipients must demonstrate their ability to find matching funds to their RDA grant. There is no longer a cap on how many years you may receive funds from this grant. The objective is to facilitate the development of sustainable and repeatable events in Downtown Rochester.

Timeline:
1. Application is received
2. The Grant team meets once a month. Please account for 10 business days for a response to your application.
3. If interested, the RDA grant team will invite you to an in-person interview to discuss your event.
4. Within 72 hours post-meeting, you will receive an award notification.
5. If received, the grant team will schedule a meeting with you to discuss next steps and answer questions (see mentorship and education section below)

Application Process:

Stage 1: Complete this online application with all required documents including:
  • Your event, activity, or program budget that shows both expenses and anticipated revenue and/or in-kind contributions including requested amount from RDA (include permitting expenses)
  • Marketing plan
  • Inspiration photos, site plan, or drawing

Question Title

* 1. Stage 2 of the application will be an interview the grant team.

Applications will be reviewed, and a selection of applicants will participant in the second stage of the application process.

You will sit down with the RDA Grant Team and discuss your event proposal. This allows the panel to ask follow-up questions to learn more about your event details. This presentation will be done in a private conference room with just your organizer team and the RDA team.

Are you willing to sit down with our team for this interview?

Question Title

* 2. In order to best support event management, Recipients of this grant will be partnering with the knowledgeable RDA team, who will be available to consult and assist you with the process of organizing your event. You will meet with our team multiple times or as needed to answer questions to create a successful and sustainable event!

Please see the example mentorship timeline here. Note that this is flexible based on the needs of each applicant.

Do you agree to partner with the RDA team on your event?

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