Business and Community Event Sponsorship
This program provides funding for community events along the Lake Street corridor to support corridor vibrancy through economic stabilization, creativity, and beautification efforts.
Primary Objectives
Activate the Lake Street corridor’s businesses and public spaces to infuse joy, draw customers to small businesses, and create deep community connections.
Support racial equity in our creative economy by funding projects led by Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) businesses or artists, or primarily serving BIPOC community members.
Elevate and honor the rich diversity and cultures that make Lake Street unique.
Influence positive community impressions of Lake Street and encourage people to come to the corridor.
The Lake Street Council’s Business and Community Event Sponsorship provides funding for community events along the Lake Street corridor to support corridor vibrancy through economic stabilization, creativity, and beautification efforts.
Additional Language Needs / Idiomas Adicionales / Luqado Dheeraad Ah
¿Necesita ayuda para completar su solicitud en español? Póngase en contacto con nuestro Especialista en Relaciones Comerciales. Puede reunirse con usted para revisar la solicitud y completarla con usted.
Para español, contacta a Oscar Corral at oscar@lakestreetcouncil.org / 612-601-6980
Ma u baahan tahay caawinaan ku buuxinta codsigaaga/application Somali? La xariir Business Engagement Team. Way kula kulmi karaan si ay u dhex maraan arjiga oo ay kuugu buuxiyaan.
Somali, xiriir, Yusra Mohamud at yusra@lakestreetcouncil.org / 612-295-1515
If you have questions, please get in touch with:
Charise Canales
Corridor Vibrancy Manager
arts@lakestreetcouncil.org
Marie Campos
Communication & Marketing Manager
socialmedia@visitlakestreet.com
Available Funding
This year’s program funding is reduced from 2025, with demand significantly exceeding available resources. A total of $40,000 is available for this program. A maximum funding per event is $2,500.
Tier I: Up to $2,500. This tier is intended for newer initiatives with the following priorities:
Centered on community building
0-3 leveraged funding sources
Expected attendance of 50+.
OR
Tier II: Up to $1,000. This tier is intended for large-scale events with the following priorities:
Are established events (have occurred at least once).
Have multiple organizing partners and/or artists involved.
3+ leveraged funding sources
Have past and expected attendance of 250+.
Please look at all the information below to understand the eligibility requirements before applying.
Eligibility Criteria
All projects must occur on a site that is located within the Lake Street corridor of Minneapolis, which is defined as the area bounded by West River Parkway on the east, 26th Street on the north, the border of Minneapolis and St. Louis Park on the west, and 34th Street on the south.
Applications must be from a business, nonprofit, property owner, artist, or collective.
Applicants must have a strong connection to the Lake Street community.
While you may submit multiple applications, each applicant/group/business will be limited to one award.
If you are looking for a location for your event, contact us to use one of Lake Street’s community pop-up parks.
Note: The Lake Street Council has limited capacity to support the logistical needs of projects.
Application Review Process
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until June 1, 2026, or until funds are exhausted. Each round will close on the last Friday of the month. All reviewers will recuse themselves from decision-making if they have a financial relationship with a potential recipient.
Applicants will be notified via email of the decision mid-month of the following month. I.e: if an applicant in April will find out the decision by mid-May.
If approved, a signature is required, and a request for a direct deposit payment will be sent to the provided email. Funding is sent out weekly and will take up to 2 weeks to reach the provided account. Payment will be contingent upon a completed W-9.
Application Process
Application Deadline: Rolling deadline with a review process every month. Applications are accepted until June 1, 2026, or until funds are depleted.
The amount of information required will depend on the number of times the event has already taken place and the anticipated attendance of the event.
Additional documentation may be requested to verify the information provided.
You will be asked to submit the following information:
Contact and demographic information*
W-9 (if approved, payment will be contingent upon a completed W-9)
Name of organization, business, nonprofit, individuals, or collective organizing the event*
The resumes/portfolios of individuals assisting in this event (upload)
Event name*
Detailed description of the event, including:*
Event goals
Purpose
Any info on how your event is anticipated to increase safety, sense of safety, and/or positive community perceptions among the Lake Street community, or how this event is anticipated to impact trauma healing, resilience, and/or community building
Timeline
Outreach plan
Relevant host social media and website links
Short event description for marketing (250 character maximum)*
Date(s) and time(s) of your event*
Location/address(es) where the event will take place, if available.*
Anticipated attendance*
Admission costs*
Estimated total cost*
Additional funding sources*
Proposed budget (upload)
A description of how your event supports this program’s primary objectives*
A description of how your event will support racial equity*
A description of how Lake Street Council/Visit Lake Street’s support will be acknowledged in the promotion of or during the event*
*required application question
Reporting Expectations
Before funded events take place, it is strongly encouraged that you share all promotional assets with Lake Street Council/Visit Lake Street for amplification.
Within 1 month of project completion, recipients are required to submit:
At least 5 photos of the event that can be used with permission by the Lake Street Council/Visit Lake Street to promote their business, this program, and the Lake Street corridor.
A short report that provides a simple narrative description of how funds contributed to the success of their business / nonprofit, impacts on the corridor, attendance count, and any lessons learned from the project.
A summary of publicized acknowledgment to Lake Street Council/Visit Lake Street support. For example, social media links, photos of signage at events, etc.
All funded projects will be asked to consider personal statement(s) that can be used with permission by the Lake Street Council/Visit Lake Street to promote their business, this program, and the Lake Street corridor.