The 2025 Arts, Culture, and Entertainment (ACE) Fund is designed to provide financial support to community events within Salt Lake City. With a total of $300,000 allocated for this funding cycle, the ACE Fund intends to assist events of various scales that deliver cultural or economic contributions to the community. Grants are typically awarded in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, with a minimum of $500 and a maximum cap of $10,000 per event. The fund’s purpose is to serve as supplemental support, rather than primary funding, to help cover event-related costs, including city service fees for necessary municipal support, such as traffic control and waste management.

ACE Fund applications opened on October 1, 2024, with a submission deadline of November 1, 2024, by 11:59 p.m. Successful applicants will be notified by the end of December 2024, and funds will be distributed in February 2025. Recipients must submit a Post-Event Evaluation within 60 days of their event's conclusion to remain eligible for future funding. This program requires that events be held within Salt Lake City’s limits, though applicants themselves may be based outside the city. The fund generally prioritizes free events and does not typically support conferences, health clinics, private events, or events hosted by for-profit brands unless they demonstrate significant public benefit.

Eligible applicants include organizations planning community events that align with Salt Lake City's goals, such as promoting diversity, local economic support, cultural enrichment, environmental sustainability, and neighborhood unity. ACE funds are not intended for administrative costs, nonlocal talent, or general business expenses. Events that generate revenue, like those with ticketed admission, may apply but will be reviewed based on their accessibility and public benefit. Online events, political rallies, film productions, and events providing medical services are explicitly excluded from eligibility.

Applications must specify a funding amount, event budget, and a detailed plan for the event’s objectives, audience, and community impact. The application evaluation considers multiple factors, including financial need, cultural or economic significance, alignment with city objectives, and logistical readiness. The selection committee, composed of Salt Lake City government staff, reviews applications and submits recommendations to the Mayor’s office. A history of unresolved debts, missed deadlines, or sustained complaints related to previous events may affect eligibility.

For events on public property with more than 50 attendees, organizers must secure a City Special Event Permit at least 30 days in advance. Additional documentation, such as general liability insurance and health department permits, may be required based on event specifics. Applications must be submitted online in either English or Spanish, with accommodations available for other languages or application formats as needed.

For further assistance, applicants can contact the ACE Fund Coordinator, Katie Schnell, via email at ACE@slc.gov or by phone at 385-443-0330.