Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund Application

2025 Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund

APPLICATION

The Festivals and Cultural Events Support Fund provides financial support for events that both serve the residents of Buncombe County and the visitors that travel to the Asheville area for the sense of authenticity and welcoming spirit Asheville exudes.

The primary purposes of this fund are:
- To support and preserve cultural identity within Buncombe County
- To stimulate the creation of new or expansion of existing tourism events
- To contribute to the financial viability and long-term sustainability of the area’s festivals and cultural events
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicant Eligibility:
  - Must be a federally recognized non-profit organization based in Buncombe County (If the applying organization is not a non-profit organization, the applicant may use a fiscal agent for their application. The fiscal agent must meet all applicant eligibility criteria.)
  - Organizational mission must be to conduct programs that benefit Buncombe County residents and visitors and have the potential to enhance the culture and vitality of Buncombe County
- Event Eligibility:
  - Event must take place within Buncombe County
  - Event must occur between April 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025
Application Submission Instructions
- Before you begin your application, please prepare the following required documents:
  - Sponsorship Deck (document outlining the benefits for all sponsorship levels of the event)
  - List of applicant organization’s board of directors
  - Event Budget (should include all anticipated expenses and revenues)
  - Other Supporting Documentation (marketing Materials, media coverage of past events, photos/videos) – Optional, but encouraged
- Please review the F&CE Support Fund Program Guidelines before you begin.
- Please provide complete information in response to each question. If you are unable to answer a question or if a question is not applicable to your event, please briefly describe why it cannot be answered or enter “N/A.”
- You may save and resume your application by clicking on "Save" found at the bottom of each page. The application platform will send a unique link you can use to resume your application.
- Applications are due by Monday, February 10, 2025, 5:00pm EST.

Organization Information
Organization Information
Name of Applying Organization*
Applying Organization's Physical Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Applying Organization's Mailing Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Applying Organization's Website *
Please describe your organization's mission.*
Please select your organization's non-profit designation.*

501(c)3501(c)4501(c)6Not a non-profit organizationOther
If the applying organization is not a designated non-profit, the application must have a qualified non-profit serve as a fiscal agent. Have you identified a fiscal agent for this application?

YesNo
What organization will serve as the fiscal agent for your application?
Name of Executive at Fiscal Agent Organization (will need to sign agreement if awarded)

First NameLast Name
Email of Executive at Fiscal Agent Organization
example@example.com

Contact Information
Contact Information
Executive of Organization

Please complete the following information for the President / Executive Director of the applying organization
Name*

First NameLast Name
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Lead Contact for Event

Please provide information for the person that Explore Asheville should communicate with regarding the event and sponsorship.
Name*

First NameLast Name
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.

Event Details
Event Details
Name of Event*
Event Start Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Event End Date*

MonthDayYear
Use same date as start date if event is a one-day event.
Event Location*
Please provide venue name(s) and address(s) if applicable, or description of location if no specific venue is applicable.
Event Website*
Please provide a brief description of the event, including its history.*
Please describe the audience of this event.*
Has this event been held before?*

YesNo
How many years has the event taken place?*
Please provide the year and total attendance for the last 3 years the event has taken place.*
Please answer the following questions for the most recent year the event took place.
Percentage of event attendees that were Buncombe County residents:*
Percentage of event attendees that are from outside of Buncombe County that do not stay overnight (Within region/short driving distance):*
Percentage of event attendees that are from outside of Buncombe County that stay in overnight lodgings (Outside region/long driving distance):*
What is the estimated attendance for the event?*
How did you determine the above attendee estimates? *
How do you plan to staff the event?*
Please describe how you plan to market the event.*

Event Financials
Event Financials

Please provide the following financial information about your event.
What are the total projected expenses for your event?*
What is the total projected revenue for your event?*
What is the requested award amount?*
How do you plan to use the grant funds? *
Please list confirmed sponsors for the event.*
Does your organization have any outstanding debts? If so, please explain.*

BCTDA Strategic Pillars Alignment
BCTDA Strategic Pillars Alignment

Please describe how the event is aligned with each of the four strategic pillars of Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority.
Pillar 1: Delivering Balanced & Sustainable Growth

Balance resident and visitor needs, recognizing the necessary role that sustainable, long growth of travel has in achieving a healthy, collective economy. Focus on the quality of each visit to our community balancing growth across the seasons, business and leisure travel, and throughout Asheville and Buncombe County.

Examples:
- Ability of event to attract out-of-town attendees for day trips and overnight visits
- Hosting event in needs period - off peak seasonally and midweek
- Ability to disburse visitors outside the core of downtown Asheville
- Providing employment opportunities for Buncombe County residents
- Sourcing from local Buncombe County-based vendors
How does your event align with BCTDA's Pillar 1: Delivering Balanced & Sustainable Growth?*
Pillar 2: Encouraging Safe & Responsible Travel

Engage residents and visitors with shared values to care for and respect natural, cultural and human resources vital in delivering quality guest experiences. Collaborate with community organizations, local businesses and environmentally focused partners to support the sustainability and growth of our outdoor economy.

Examples:
- Incorporation of sustainability principles in production of event
- Incentives provided to vendors and/or attendees to embrace environmental measures
- Strategic partnerships with local nonprofits whose mission is to serve the natural, cultural, or human resources in the region
How does your event align with BCTDA's Pillar 2: Encouraging Safe & Responsible Travel?*
Pillar 3: Engaging & Inviting More Diverse Audiences

Extend a genuine invitation to Black travelers and other diverse audiences including LGBTQ visitors – connecting them with local neighborhoods, businesses and entrepreneurs – creating more opportunities for all to win. Support product development, place making and community connections, enabling new experiences and business opportunities throughout our community.

Examples:
- Ability of event to appeal to diverse audiences
- Percentage of opportunities afforded to minority-owned businesses
- Strategic partnerships with local nonprofits whose mission is to support underserved and underrepresented segments of the community
How does your event align with BCTDA's Pillar 3: Engaging & Inviting More Diverse Audiences?*
Pillar 4: Promoting & Supporting Asheville’s Creative Spirit

Share stories of creators and makers who help differentiate our destination through food and drink, visual and performing arts, experiences and more. Support product development, place making and community connections, enabling new experiences and business opportunities throughout our community.

Examples:
- Demonstration of what makes the event standout from other events in Buncombe County or in the region
- Ways in which the event will contribute to the cultural identity and vibrancy of Buncombe County
- The extent to which the festival or cultural event is anticipated to enhance the local community and/or economy
- Percentage of opportunities afforded to local creative individuals or businesses
How does your event align with BCTDA's Pillar 4: Promoting & Supporting Asheville's Creative Spirit?*

Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation

Please submit the following documents below.
Sponsorship Kit (Must detail benefits for all available sponsorship levels)*

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Event Budget (Include all known or projected expenses and revenues)*

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OPTIONAL: Supporting Materials (marketing materials, media coverage, photographs/videos, recap reports of previous events, etc.)

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OPTIONAL: Link(s) to online Supporting Materials (website, video, etc.)

Acknowledgements & Submission

Should be Empty:

2025 Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund

Eligibility Requirements

Application Submission Instructions

Organization Information

Contact Information

Event Details

Event Financials

BCTDA Strategic Pillars Alignment

Supporting Documentation