Unmistakable Events Grant Program

Juneteenth Celebration Parade
The Unmistakable Events Grant Program is a competitive grant program administered by the City of Lawrence Parks, Recreation and Culture (PRC) Department in support of the City’s Unmistakable Identity outcome area. The program provides funding for Lawrence-based events that are open to the public and advance the goals of the City’s Strategic Plan including:
  • Strengthening Lawrence’s Unmistakable Identity
  • Generating economic impact
  • Promoting community engagement and inclusion
  • Supporting sustainability and environmental stewardship

Funding is intended to help support events that provide measurable community and economic benefits, strengthen Lawrence’s identity and appeal as a destination, attract new events and enhance existing ones, and generate additional transient guest and sales tax revenue.

New this year! The FY 2027 Unmistakable Event Grant application and review process will be managed through Submittable, a widely used online grant management platform.

FY2027 Unmistakable Events Grant Guidelines(PDF, 107KB)

Unmistakable Event Grants Application Portal

To receive updates and announcements about the Unmistakable Events Grant Program, subscribe to the E-News list here.

Target TIMELINE for FY2027 Grant Program

  • October 2 – November 1, 2026 – Application period for FY2027 event grants.

  • Thursday, October 8, 2–3 p.m.: Virtual informational meeting via Zoom for prospective grant applicants.  Video Recording of 10/8 Zoom Presentation and Q&A.

  • Sunday, November 1, 11 p.m.: Online Application deadline.

  • November 2–8: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members independently review and score eligible grant applications.

  • Monday, November 9, 5:30 p.m.: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board reviews the compiled scores, discusses applications, and develops funding recommendations as part of its regular monthly meeting at City Hall.

  • Tuesday, December 1 or 8: City Commission considers the FY2027 Unmistakable Event Grant funding recommendations for final approval.

2027 Guidelines Overview Presentation(PDF, 579KB)

Sample 2027 Scoring Matrix(PDF, 257KB)

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please contact Porter Arneill, parneill@lawrenceks.gov 

PROGRAM HISTORY

Established in 2016, the Transient Guest Tax Grant Program created an equitable, competitive process for supporting community events and eliminating out-of-cycle funding requests. Its core goals remain largely unchanged: support events that provide measurable community and economic benefits, strengthen Lawrence’s identity and appeal as a destination, attract new events and enhance existing ones, and generate additional transient guest and sales tax revenue.

Since 2016, the program has awarded 232 event grants totaling $1.56 million in support of events and experiences throughout Lawrence.

Prior Year's TGT Grants Program Award List

 

 

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