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Corona nonprofits have until Thursday to submit requests for grants to help pay for events in the next fiscal year that starts in July.
City officials are drafting the budget for co-sponsored events and have invited qualified nonprofit organizations to apply.
Applications are accepted in two phases: Events set for July 1-Dec. 31, applications are currently available and due this Thursday, Feb. 29. Events scheduled for Jan. 1-June 30, 2025, applications will be available starting July 1.
The city uses the following criteria to choose co-sponsorship grant recipients:
“1. Community groups, non-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt organizations or other government agencies. Non-profit status will be verified via the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Corona-Norco Unified School District events may be considered for City co-sponsorship.”
Applicants must provide proof of their organization’s nonprofit status with an “Entity Status Letter” dated within the last six months. Entity Status Letters are available online from the federal Internal Revenue Service, the state Franchise Tax Board or the California secretary of state.
“2. Must be based within the City of Corona or must have a local branch or non-profit affiliation within the City. Organizations with a non-profit affiliation must submit a written letter from the non-profit verifying the affiliation.
“3. The organization’s event must be designed to accomplish one of more of the following objectives:
“Promote the City of Corona as a desirable place to live, visit or do business.
“Promote the City of Corona as a visitor destination and/or bring tourism-associated
revenue for the City.
“Enhance the quality of life and well-being of the residents of the City of Corona.
“Advance the City’s commitment to, and pride in, being a multicultural community.
“Encourage the development of neighborhood identity and pride.
“Promote cultural and artistic awareness within the community.”
Officials discouraged co-sponsorship requests for events that will “conflict” with other already approved co-sponsorship events or events organized by the city.
City officials also provided guidelines for grant requests.
“City co-sponsorship shall be limited to ‘in-kind’ donations of City services in lieu of direct monetary donations,” according to a city statement. “Examples of ‘in-kind’ donations are the waiving of certain permit fees associated with an event or covering City staff time cost incurred as a result of the event.”
Written grant applications should have a background description of the specific event that details the scope of activities and the event’s significance to Corona residents.
“The request should also include an itemized breakdown of the event’s total cost and the specific City services that are being requested,” officials said.
For help with general questions or to determine if city services for a particular event will be needed and related costs, officials asked potential applicants to contact the Special Events Team at Special.Events@CoronaCA.Gov or 951-817-5755 or to stop by the Circle City Center, 365 N. Main St., for in-person assistance.
Applications received after Thursday won’t be considered, officials said, adding that “all written requests submitted by the deadline will be reviewed, but due to budgetary constraints, not all requests will be funded.”
Officials noted that the co-sponsored event grants are a different initiative than the recently approved Community Based Organization Grant Program, which will have a separate application process.
More information on the CBO Grant Program is available on the city’s website.
