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Equity Commission discusses draft community events grant program; staff proposes pilot funding and eligibility rules
Summary
Commissioners reviewed a proposed community sponsorship/grant framework modeled on other cities, discussed eligibility (nonprofit vs. for‑profit), allowable costs, reimbursement vs. upfront payments, and a pilot budget ($15,000) with suggested grant sizes of $1,000–$3,000.
Lacey Equity Commission members spent substantial meeting time reviewing a proposed framework for a city‑supported community sponsorship and grant program to support cultural events and community celebrations.
Staff presented a draft policy modeled on peer cities (Bend, Tacoma, Lakewood) that would create an application window, staff pre‑screening, commission review and council approval of awards. The goal, staff said, is to create a transparent, equitable, repeatable process for city funding to support local events without the city conducting event planning itself.
“Eventually that is, you know, where we want to get to is making a recommendation and then council providing the funding,” staff member Veronica said, describing the proposed governance steps. She outlined eligibility considerations lifted from Bend’s program and local concerns: proposals that promote religious doctrines or political campaigns, for‑profit entities, events…
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