Before filling out this application, please visit our website for full Sponsorship Program details. 

https://www.santa-ana.org/special-event-sponsorship-program/ 

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The Arts & Culture Special Event Sponsorship Program provides limited financial assistance to organizations, businesses, neighborhood associations, and individuals producing arts, cultural, or community events within the City of Santa Ana. Applicants may apply for up to $10,000. 

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and funds will be distributed until exhausted. Deadline to submit application is the Monday of the week before the regular Arts & Culture Commission meeting. 

DEADLINES to SUBMIT APPLICATION:  ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION MEETINGS:

Monday – March 9, 2026                               Thursday – March 19, 2026

Monday – April 6, 2026                                  Thursday – April 16, 2026

Monday – May 11, 2026                                   Thursday – May 21, 2026

Monday – June 8, 2026                                  Thursday – June 18, 2026

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

· Applications must be submitted in advance of the proposed event and in accordance with Arts & Culture Commission meeting schedules to allow sufficient time for staff review and Commission consideration. 

· Proposed events must occur no sooner than fourteen (14) days following a scheduled Commission meeting. 

· Retroactive requests are not permitted. Funding will not be awarded for events that have already occurred. 

· Applicants may not request or use donation funds for expenses that are also funded through other City funding sources for the same project. 

· Only one application per project will be accepted. Different applicants may not apply separately for the same project.

· Events must be completed by the deadline established on the Arts & Culture website. 

· Location of event must be confirmed before submission of application.

PUBLIC ACCESS REQUIREMENT:

All eligible events must be open and accessible to the public and must take place within the City of Santa Ana. Events should include free or low-cost components to ensure broad community access. Events that are private, invitation-only, or otherwise restricted to limited audiences are not eligible for donation funding.

INELIGIBLE ACTIVITY:

· Non-Arts & Culture Events - Events centered on activities that do not primarily involve arts and cultural programming (ex: commercial, recreational, or general interest events)

· Illegal Drug Promotion - Promotion, marketing, or sale of illegal drugs

· Tobacco Promotion - Promotion, marketing, or sale of tobacco products

· Gambling Promotion - Events centered on gambling activities

· Alcohol-Focused Events - Events primarily promoting or selling alcoholic beverages

· Sexually Oriented Businesses - Businesses defined as sexual activities under City Code

· Political Activities - Political campaigns, parties, or advocacy organizations

· Religious Proselytizing - Activities intended to promote religious conversion

· Legal or Financial Conflicts with the City - Applicants engaged in litigation with the City or with unresolved financial or regulatory obligations

· Unrelated Salaries - Salaries unrelated to event execution

· Travel - Travel not directly tied to event

· Capital Improvements/Equipment - Capital improvements or equipment purchase 

PROGRAM OVERSIGHT:  The CDA oversees program administration, including tracking awarded funds, reporting to the Arts & Culture Commission, and ensuring compliance with City policies. The City may request documentation to verify the use of donation funds. 

Contact artsandculture@santa-ana.org if you have any questions regarding this application.