Grants & Sponsorships

Information on funding

State Fair of Texas has opened the applications for the final cycle of 2020 Grants and Sponsorships. Some changes have been made to our granting process, so please take note:

• The State Fair of Texas will offer grant and sponsorship opportunities in two cycles throughout the year. This means you must anticipate the period for which you are requesting funding and apply in advance for the cycle whose disbursement correlates best. We will not accept applications or disperse funds outside of these cycles.
• While an organization can apply for both of the cycles, an organization can only be selected and funded for a grant or sponsorship only once throughout the year, so please consider all of your initiatives and prioritize the ones you will need the most help with.
• If you are selected to receive funding, you must complete the mandatory reporting by the deadline indicated. Failure to do so will prevent you from being considered for any future funding opportunities, so please ensure you are aware of the deadlines ahead of time.
• Organizations in South Dallas/Fair Park can apply in 2020 to participate in the 2-year summer programs training and funding cohort. Summer program funding will have a different application process and timeline for organizations operating in the South Dallas/Fair Park area. Funding for summer programs will be contingent on participation in the mandatory training. Organizations can receive funding for a summer program grant and a SFOT grant or sponsorship throughout the year. This is the only way organizations can receive funds from the State Fair twice in one fiscal year. Please look out for additional information on this process
• Organizations cannot receive funding for a grant and sponsorship in the same year, so determine if you will apply for a grant OR a sponsorship and complete the form for one, not both.

How to Apply for Funding

If you are interested in applying for funding, please complete the application for the appropriate funding category below. Make sure to complete the application in its entirety, including the attachments requested. Failure to do so may hinder our ability to make an informed decision.

Important Application Deadline Information

All applications must be submitted online by NOON ON DATE THEY ARE DUE to be considered for funding in that cycle. Any application not received by this deadline cannot be considered, and applicants will be asked to reapply in a different cycle. After all applications have been reviewed by our committee and a decision has been made; we will notify you with an email.

NOTE: Please do not contact us regarding funding notices or distribution. We will contact you if we have any questions on your application. Use the email address sfotgrants@bigtex.com to ask any questions regarding the grant application or sponsorship process.

Thank you for the great work you do in communities, we look forward to learning about it!

Grants

The State Fair of Texas supports the following:
Economic Development
Capacity Building for Nonprofits
Educational Programming
Social & Racial Justice

We support initiatives that are working in the aforementioned areas in 75210, 75215, 75223, and 75228 with some limited support for work in the Southern Sector of Dallas that impacts residents in the South Dallas/Fair Park neighborhood.

New for 2020, the Community Affairs department is adding a new organization category to it’s grant funding initiative: Social & Racial Justice. Funding for the Social & Racial Justice category is available beginning with cycle 2 of the 2020 grant funding calendar. Organizations who fall under this new category are those who’s mission include one of the following attributes:

• Programs that focus on education to cultivate anti-racism.
• Community organizing and movement building.
• Creative community engagement to promote equity, access, participation and rights, including through the arts.
• Programs that foster and build leadership for people of color within nonprofit organizations.

Important for all applicants: Collaboration is essential.  Please ensure that you are working with organizations and entities in our area.  Applications that do not demonstrate existing relationships with local entities are not favorably reviewed.

Grant Cycle Schedule and Deadlines

Remember, all applications are due by noon of the listed date.

During the grant application cycle from July-September, State Fair of Texas staff will not discuss anything related to funding to keep the process fair for all applicants.  For any questions, please visit the FAQ section below for details.

Apply Online

Sponsorship

If you are seeking sponsorship for an event or opportunity, please apply for funding by clicking the link below.

During the grant application cycle from July-September, State Fair of Texas staff will not discuss anything related to funding to keep the process fair for all applicants.  For any questions, please visit the FAQ section below for details.

Apply Online

Summer Program Funding

Organizations in South Dallas/Fair Park can apply in 2020 to participate in the 2-year summer programs training and funding cohort. Summer program funding will have a different application process and timeline for organizations operating in the South Dallas/Fair Park area. Funding for summer programs will be contingent on participation in the mandatory training. Organizations can receive funding for a summer program grant and a State Fair of Texas grant or sponsorship throughout the year. This is the only way organizations can receive funds from the State Fair twice in one fiscal year. Please look out for additional information on this process

Apply Online

Concessionaire Cohort for Fairs, Festivals and Expositions (CFFE)

Interested in applying for the Concessionaire Cohort for Fairs, Festivals and Expositions (CFFE)? Click on the button below for more information and to apply.

Any additional questions or concerns should be sent to sfotgrants@bigtex.com.