Sedona City Council approves community-event funding application process for 2009/2010

By Tommy Acosta

SEDONA, AZ (July 16, 2009) - The Sedona City Council voted 7-0 at its July 14 meeting to approve the application process for the distribution of $20,000 for community events held during the 2009-2010 fiscal year, from July 1 2009 until June 20, 2010.

The council followed its custom of supporting existing and expanded local events that meet the needs of the community like the Sedona Community Fair held annually every year at the Sedona Airport and events put on by the Sedona Gallery Association.

Al Comello, President of Sedona Fair, Inc., spoke on the Sedona Community Fair event scheduled for September 19 at the Sedona Airport. He said the event is extremely popular in the community for locals and visitors alike.

“I hope the city participates in the funding of this unique event,” he said. “This September 19 we hope to draw at least 5,000 people.”

Sedona resident Shondra Jepperson, supported Mr. Comello’s statement.

“The Sedona Community Fair has greatly increased in terms of those involved,” she said. “It’s a very inclusive, free event and I am very excited about it.”

Sedona Chamber of Commerce thanked the council for focusing on events and providing funds for organizers.

“This helps the Chamber to promote Sedona as an events town, while creating a sense of community. There is less funding available through businesses, so city funding is essential to holding events.”

She said the application process is important, but that there were concerns about the events that will take place within the next few months.

Staff recommended that funding priority be based on criteria provided within the funding application and that the funding of a specific event in one year should not ensure funding the same event in the future

The council approved staff recommendation that non-profit organizations promoting new events and those promoting continuance of ongoing events may also apply for funding and that funding will be awarded on a one-time basis to support the marketing and advertising of the event.

According to staff, the procedure for evaluating each application for event funding will rely on an extensive review of the program criteria and the capability of the provider to deliver a successful event to the City of Sedona residents and/or its businesses.

Organizations asking for event funding must also be able to establish realistic funding targets to avoid unrealistic requests for funding.

In determining which organizations be awarded such funding, staff will consider if there are substantial-community benefits to City of Sedona as a whole.

The location and size of the event, number of local attendees and attraction of out-of-town attendees will be considered as well as continued, increased or new demand for such events.

The city also expects that event organizers use volunteers extensively; use qualifying funds and matching funds for collaborations with other entities.

Applicants must also be able to show they have other-viable sources of financial support and maintain the non-profit status, as the city will not fund any provider that does not have one.

Those awarded grants must also provide a full-financial disclosure documenting profit and loss.

Previously-funded programs will also have to provide proof to the city of satisfactory performance and if the previous was completed and successful.

Recipients of funding will be required to sign an agreement prior to receipt outlining the organization’s commitment to submit a final report about the event.

Organizers must show how the planned use of funds was achieved and provide a
breakdown of the visitor count showing local vs. out of town attendees.

Events that are primarily for locals require a simple head count. Successful applicants will not be eligible for other City funds during the same fiscal year.

The $20,000 allotted for community events will be distributed in two phases.

The first $10,000 will be awarded and brought to the council for approval by its first meeting in August, 2009.

The second $10,000 will be awarded no later than the council’s second meeting in 2010.

Related article:  City Notice for First Round Application for Community Event Funding