Event Funding Program : Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau

Event Funding Program

About

As part of an annual agreement with the City of Sturgis, the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau receives and distributes up to $20,000 in event sponsorship dollars to local businesses and organizations each year. These dollars are awarded to Sturgis area businesses and organizations that wish to organize an event within City of Sturgis city limits via an application process. Events should aim to bring visitors to our community, and/or enhance our residents' quality of life. An Event Funding Committee comprised of three Sturgis Area Chamber Board of Directors members reviews applications and allocates funds on a case-by-case basis.

How to Apply

An updated application is released at the beginning of the year (January - March timeframe) annually. Applications are accepted throughout the year until event funding is used up - funds are awarded on a case-by-case, first-come/first-served basis. The 2023 Event Grant Application is currently open!

Download Application

2022 Event Funding Recipients:

$7,500 - Bronc & Bull Riding Event (Wild Horses Building Champions, Inc.)
$4,340 - Sturgis Mustang Rally (Sturgis Mustang Rally, Inc.)
$2,000 - Sturgis Community Cinema (SEDC)
$2,000 - Black Hills 100 Ultramarathon (Dakota Endurance, LLC)
$1,500 - Fast Draw South Dakota Championship (World Fast Draw Association)
$1,160 - Kids Drama & Music Camp (Sturgis Area Arts Council)
$1,000 - Meade County Fair (Meade County Fair Association)
$500 - SWMS "Lion King Jr." Drama Production (SWMS Drama)

2021 Event Funding Recipients:

~~$10,000~~ $2,900 - Sturgis Mustang Rally (Sturgis Mustang Rally, Inc.)
^{Note: City of Sturgis chose to retain $7,100 of the original funding award recommended by the Chamber committee.}
$2,905 - Park Advertising Project (Sturgis Aquatics Committee)
$2,000 - Black Hills 100 Race (Dakota Endurance, LLC)
$1,345 - Sturgis Woodbat Baseball Tournament (Sturgis Little League Baseball)
$1,000 - Black Hills Bluegrass Festival (Black Hills Bluegrass Association)
$1,000 - Mark Chesnutt Bar Bull Riding Weekend (The Knuckle Saloon)
$800 - Meade County Fair (Meade County Fair Board)
$500 - Black Hills Blues Stomp & Swamp Romp (Rush No More Campground)
$250 - Fast Draw South Dakota Championship (World Fast Draw Association)
$200 - Free Children's Summer Musical (Sturgis Center for the Arts)

Total 2021 Event Sponsorships Awarded: $12,900

2020 Event Funding Recipients:

$10,000 - Sturgis Mustang Rally (Sturgis Mustang Rally)
$3,000 - Sturgis Economic Development Corporation (Sturgis Community Cinema)
$2,500 - Sturgis Williams Middle School Drama Club (Annual Theater Production)
$2,000 - Meade Music Boosters (Annual Soup Dinner)
$500 - Meade Music Boosters (Operation Cookie Drop)

Total 2020 Event Sponsorships Awarded: $18,000

2019 Event Funding Recipients:

$7,500 - Sturgis Mustang Rally (Sturgis Mustang Rally)
$2,000 - Rush-No-More RV Resort (Dakota Rods & Classics Car Show)
$1,500 - Sturgis Alliance of Churches (Community Thanksgiving Dinner)
$1,000 - Sturgis Motorcycle Museum (Youth Lock-In)
$1,000 - Sturgis Center for the Arts (Music On Main Youth Activities)
$1,000 - Sturgis Area Arts Council (Community Summer Musical)
$1,000 - Meade County Fair Association (Meade County Fair)
$800 - LifeSpring Wesleyan Church (Family Fall Blast)
$500 - Black Hills Bluegrass Association (Black Hills Bluegrass Festival)
$400 - Sturgis Little League Baseball (Sturgis Baseball Invitational)
$300 - Black Hills Trails (Scott Peterson Sturgis Super Man Winter Fat Fiesta)

Total 2019 Event Sponsorships Awarded: $17,000