The Miami Downtown Development Authority (Miami DDA) is excited to launch the 2026–2027 Downtown Creative Collaborators Grant (DCCG), inviting artists, innovators, and community builders to activate Downtown Miami with fresh ideas and inspiring experiences.
This grant supports projects that enhance Miami’s historic Downtown by creating engaging, community-focused events that celebrate creativity, culture, and connection. We are seeking dynamic activations that bring energy to our public spaces—streetscapes, parks, plazas, rooftops, and other unique Downtown settings—encouraging residents and visitors to gather and experience the district in new ways.
Whether you envision a pop-up performance, interactive art experience, cultural showcase, or family-friendly celebration, your proposal should reflect the vibrant spirit of Miami and contribute to the vitality of our urban core. We encourage programming that highlights the diversity, talent, and cultural richness that make our city truly unique.
Think creatively about how Downtown’s distinctive spaces—historic landmarks, open-air courtyards, skyline rooftops, and hidden gems—can become the stage for something memorable. Downtown Miami is your canvas, and we look forward to seeing how you will bring it to life.
Join us in keeping Downtown Miami thriving with art, culture, and community, and help reinforce its identity as a destination to Live, Work, Play, and Create.
Overview
The Miami Downtown Development Authority (Miami DDA) invites visionary creatives to apply for the Downtown Creative Collaborators Grant (DCCG) Program. This initiative supports innovative projects that activate Downtown Miami, fostering cultural vibrancy and community engagement.
Grant Amounts: $5,000 to $50,000
Funding Period: October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027
Important: Do not schedule events during the blackout periods of October 1–31 and November 30–December 7 (Miami Art Week/Art Basel). Applications proposing events during these blackout periods will be deemed UNRESPONSIVE and will not be considered for the current cycle.
This is a reimbursable grant. Funds will be released after the event has taken place and the final report has been approved. There will be no exception.
The Miami DDA cannot be the sole source of financial support. Applicants must demonstrate additional sources of funding beyond personal contributions to be considered. Commitment must be on the grantor's letterhead and signed by the grantor.
Please be advised that the grant terms and requirements outlined in this document are non-negotiable and will not be modified.
Eligibility
- Ensure the project/event occurs within the Miami DDA boundaries and during the grant funding period.
- Must be a “for-profit” or “not-for-profit” entity in good standing (verify via Sunbiz).
- Provide documentation of having produced similar activations, such as images, budget, marketing plan, timeline, etc. First-time applicants must submit a comprehensive business plan including a budget, timeline, and marketing plan.
- Submit a signed confirmation letter or letter of intent from the venue where the event will take place.
- If applicable, include copies of required permits or applications from relevant authorities (City of Miami, Miami-Dade County, Bayfront Park).
- Show proof of funding from other organization(s). The proof must include the amount and be signed by the grantor.
- The event(s) applied for must be open to the public. Private events will not be considered for funding.
- Disclose any felonies or misdemeanors on the application.
Downtown Creative Collaborator Grant – Tier Structure
Funding Priorities
- Utilize Outdoor Venues: Activate public spaces like rooftops, parks, or open-air venues.
- Foster Community Engagement: Promote events that connect the Downtown community and attract tourism.
- Offer Family-Friendly Programming: Provide affordable events suitable for all ages for the family to enjoy.
- Highlight Miami’s Global Identity: Showcase the city as an international cultural and innovation hub, and culinary destination.
- Educate on Culture and History: Feature Downtown’s historic narratives and architecture. Content highlights Downtown’s thriving art, culture, and entertainment community.
- Promote Public Transportation: Encourage the use of Downtown’s multimodal transportation options.
- Promote Downtown Miami Restaurants: Encourage event attendees to explore and enjoy local dining options.
- Resident Value: Offer free or reduced admission for residents, families, and students.
Application Process
Applications will be available: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Participant Meeting: Monday, July 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM (In-person & Zoom)
Click here to download the video from the DCCG 26-27 Participant/Informational meeting.
Submission Deadline: Monday, August 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM
Selection Committee Review: Week of September 14, 2026
Board Approval & Recipients Announced: Friday, October 16, 2026
Grant Award Reception (Tentative): ACE Meeting, October 23, 2026
Submission Platform: All applications and communications must be submitted via Submittable (https://miamidda.submittable.com).
Evaluation Criteria
- Administrative Capability: Clarity and completeness of the application, detailed timelines, and past performance.
- Marketing Strategy: Effectiveness of promotional plans, including outreach methods and materials.
- Fiscal Responsibility: Accuracy of budgets and confirmation of additional funding sources.
- Community Impact: Potential to engage the community and enhance Downtown Miami’s cultural landscape.
The Miami DDA's Acting Executive Director will appoint a Grant Review Committee (GRC) to evaluate applications and recommend grant recipients. The recommendations will be reviewed by the ACE Committee Chair and the Miami DDA Acting Executive Director before being presented to the Miami DDA Board of Directors for final approval.
Marketing Requirement
Grantees are required to allocate no less than 10% of their total awarded grant for marketing and promotional efforts related to their funded event or project. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Digital marketing (e.g., social media ads, email campaigns, website content)
- Print collateral (e.g., flyers, posters, postcards)
- Media outreach and public relations
- Radio, television, or podcast placements
- Partnerships with influencers or cultural organizations
The purpose of this requirement is to ensure strong community outreach, brand alignment with the Miami DDA, and public visibility of funded initiatives. Proof of marketing expenditures must be included in the Final Report, along with analytics and documentation of the Miami DDA’s sponsorship acknowledgment.
Grant Expenditures and Restrictions
Allowable Expenses
- Administrative: assistance/help hired for the specific event
- Talent: fees and honorariums for talent
- Technical: Audiovisual, audio and sound equipment, staging, labor
- Marketing and publicity: social media ads and boosting, digital and printed advertising, such as newspapers, radio, banners, influencers, public relations services, and graphic design.
- Note: A minimum of 10% of the total awarded grant must be allocated toward marketing and promoting the event. Failure to comply will result in a 10% reduction of the grant award.
- Printing: banners, flyers, signs, posters, brochures
- Equipment rental: portable restrooms, tents, generators, barricades, chairs, tables, etc.
- Event space rental: venues, parks, galleries, restaurants, etc.
- Supplies/materials: Arts and crafts, table covers, decor, wristbands, tickets, etc.
Non-Allowable Expenses
- Events outside Miami DDA boundaries
- Purchase of permanent equipment or real estate
- Debt reduction
- Payments to the event producer, full-time or part-time staff not hired specifically for the event
- Event insurance
- Postage, couriers, deliveries
- Utilities
- Alcohol purchase
- Travel expenses: flights, car rental, parking, gas, and mileage
- Charitable contributions
Compliance and Reporting
- All applications and communications must be submitted via Submittable. No communication will be accepted through regular email.
- Award Acceptance: Grantees must accept the award through Submittable within ten (10) business days of notification. Failure to accept the award within the specified timeframe will result in forfeiture of the grant.
- Grant Award: To receive the full awarded amount, grantees must complete the number of events and programming approved in their funding application. Any reduction in the number of approved events will result in forfeiture of the grant.
- If programming changes are necessary, the grantee must notify the Miami DDA immediately and present the revised program at the next scheduled Arts, Culture & Entertainment (ACE) Committee meeting for approval prior to the event date.
- ACE Committee Attendance: Grantees must attend at least two (2) ACE Committee meetings by July 1, 2027. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the grantee not receiving additional evaluation points for consideration in the following grant cycle.
- Attendance at the fall acceptance/award meeting is highly encouraged and will count as one (1) of the required ACE meetings.
- Final Report (provided by the Miami DDA): This report, including marketing analytics and documentation of the Miami DDA sponsorship acknowledgment, must be submitted through Submittable within 45 days after the event. The final report deadline WILL NOT be extended. Failure to submit the final report by the deadline will result in forfeiture of the grant.
- Invoice: Include an invoice when submitting the Final Report through Submittable.
- Insurance: You must provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) naming the City of Miami and the Miami DDA as additional insureds and demonstrating all required insurance coverages at least two (2) weeks before the event date. If any required coverage is not obtained, you must submit a signed letter on the company/institution’s letterhead explaining the reason the coverage was not obtained.
- W-9: A current W-9 must be submitted when requested. The company/institution name and address on the W-9 must match your Sunbiz record.
- Event Changes:
- Your event must take place on the date submitted in the application. You must provide a backup date in the application in the event of an extenuating circumstance, such as severe weather, serious illness or injury, government orders, or emergency declarations. Failure to hold your event on the submitted date or, if applicable, the backup date will result in forfeiture of the grant.
- If you schedule your event during a major holiday period (e.g., the holiday season, Valentine's Day, etc.) or a citywide activation (e.g., the World Cup) and subsequently change the event date, you will forfeit the grant unless the change is due to an extenuating circumstance. In such cases, the event must be rescheduled within a reasonable timeframe around the original holiday period or citywide activation date.
- Communication: The Miami DDA will periodically send requests for required documentation and updates. It is the grantee's responsibility to regularly monitor email and respond within the specified deadlines. Failure to respond within the required timeframe will result in a 10% reduction of the grant award.
- Lobbying: DO NOT contact any Miami DDA Staff, Board Members, and/or review committee members to lobby or advocate for the grant.
The following communications require a response within the stated timeframe:
- Award Letter Acceptance (if awarded): 2 weeks
- Final Report Receipt Confirmation: 2 weeks
- Unresponsive grantee for more than thirty (30) days: The grant will be deemed forfeited.
Important: Do not schedule events during the blackout periods of October 1–31 and November 30–December 7 (Miami Art Week/Art Basel). Applications proposing events during these blackout periods will be deemed UNRESPONSIVE and will not be considered for the current cycle.
Miami DDA Resources:
Visit the TOOLKIT to access valuable resources that will help you with your application and event. Find the Miami DDA logo, Downtown venues brochure, stakeholder contact information, important program requirements, marketing resources, and other helpful materials.
Contact Information (via Submittable only)
Yami Roa: roa@miamidda.com
Kim Hills: hills@miamidda.com
Technical Support: For issues with Submittable, contact organizationsupport@submittable.com.
Important:
**This Information is subject to change. Please check back periodically for the most up-to-date information.