Grants

GRANTS

As the Creative Capital with a thriving arts community, diverse neighborhoods, outstanding hotels, a renowned restaurant scene and so many things to do, Providence is the perfect place to host or produce your next event. Please review the grant funding guidelines, timeline and application for potential support. Grant proposals should demonstrate the ability to draw visitors into the Capital city, have an economic impact, benefit residents, and generate awareness and marketing exposure for the City.

Start a Grant Application File a Grant Report

Grant Objectives

  1. To promote the City of Providence as a year-round travel and tourism destination.
  2. To increase the awareness of programs and events in the City of Providence through marketing and public relations efforts. 
  3. To expand the opportunities for events and experiences to draw visitors from outside the Providence area for tourism and economic commerce.
  4. Contribute to the engagement of residents and visitors as part of events programming, illumination, arts installations as part of generating activity throughout the city in downtown and neighborhoods.

Proposal Categories

  • Events, programs and/or festivals with a broad-based recurring audience
  • Cultural events, conferences and/or festivals targeted to a key niche market
  • Exhibits with wide appeal that creates interest to visitors from outside the city
  • Lighting and art installations to create experiential activations in the City
The PTC encourages collaborations and partnerships to create new events and exhibits and to expand existing ones with a proven and successful history.

General Eligibility & Requirements

  1. A project may consist of one or more specific events or activities
  2. A project does not have to be new. Proven/existing projects may also apply
  3. Projects do not need to be large in scope. The PTC welcomes projects of all sizes
  4. Businesses and non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply

We do not fund

  • Costs for the creation of new agency/organizations, except for direct programming
  • Grants to individuals
  • Construction or purchase of facilities
  • Cash reserves or endowments
  • Sub-granting or re-granting except for state event agencies or a regional event
  • Professional training in degree-granting institutions
  • Work toward academic degrees
  • Entire event or program budgets

Review process

Grants will be reviewed five times a year. Each organization must submit their applications before the grant funding cycle deadlines:
  • February 1
  • April 1
  • June 1
  • September 1
  • November 1
The PTC will respond to applicants within a 45-day period following the application deadline. In submitting by one of these dates, please consider the timing of your event and the PTC’s review process to be at least 2 months in advance. 

Organizations should carefully consider the timing of their application and event to ensure proper production and marketing lead time given this schedule.

Evaluation Criteria

  • Project description
  • Marketing, promotion and advertising plans
  • Budget – complete revenue and expenses required
  • Goals and objectives
  • Audience reach outside of the Providence area
  • Projected impact on tourism 
  • Measurement of event results
  • Use of venues and commercial spaces that generate economic impact
Please note, incomplete proposals, those received after the deadlines, and post an event date will not be considered.

Reporting

Grant reports are due within 90 days from the completion of your event and program. Grant reports are to be submitted online here.
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