The Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority offers Special Event Sponsorships to support community organizations hosting events within its districts. These sponsorships aim to promote the DDA’s three distinct districts: Downtown, Depot Town, and West Cross Street.
APPLICATIONS FOR 2026 EVENT SEASON DUE ON MAY 1, 2026 at noon. FUNDING ONLY AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION AFTER JULY 1ST, 2026.
Eligibility: Open to organizations hosting public, non-profit events within the DDA district. Religious or political events are excluded.
Events that take place in public streets that directly impact the DDA businesses are ideal for this funding. See the City of Ypsilanti Special Events page to rent your event space.
PLEASE APPLY FOR YOUR STREET CLOSURE WITH THE CITY OF YPSILANTI BEFORE APPLYING FOR THIS FUNDING.
If you are looking for a street closure or park rental fee waiver, please reach out to the City of Ypsilanti Events and Facilities Supervisor at 734-482-9825 for more information.
Funding:
Depot Town –
Up to $900 for highest scoring event
Up to $750 for second highest scoring event
Up to $600 for third highest scoring event
Downtown –
Up to $4,500 for highest scoring event
Up to $3,750 for second highest scoring event
Up to $3,000 for third highest scoring event
West Cross –
Up to $1,500 for highest scoring event
Up to $1,250 for second highest scoring event
Up to $1,000 for third highest scoring event
The Grants Committee and DDA Board can distribute funds to their discretion. If your event takes place in multiple districts, that will be considered during scoring.
Scoring Process: All events are reviewed by the DDA Grants Committee. The committee uses a scoring matrix that asks the following questions:
1. How well does this event integrate and impact local businesses?
2. Does this serve underrepresented groups or businesses in the DDA?
3. What is the projected attendance?
4. What are the other sources of funding to support the event?
5. Does this event take place in a free and public space?
6. Does the organizer have a proven track record of organizing successful
events? Has this event been successful in the past?
All applicants are encouraged to attend the Grants Committee Meeting, scheduled on May 8, 2026 at 9am to answer any questions about their event.
The top scoring events will be recommended to the DDA board for final approval. Attendance is not required, but recommended for both meetings.
SPECIAL EVENT SPONSORSHIP APPLICATION
Please email your completed application to elize@ypsilantidda.org by May 1st, at noon.