Application for Large Event Partners

APPLY HERE

The application for large-scale grants has now closed.

Please note any applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Event Grant Deadlines

Application Q&A Deadline: April 10, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Answers Posted on Website: April 13, 2026 (While best efforts will be made to respond by April 13, answers will continue to be provided on a rolling basis.)

Application Deadline: April 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Initial Funding Sent: TBD

Economic Impact Report Due: TBD

Final Funding Sent: TBD

Questions & Answers

Q: If I apply for the Large Event Partners and I am not selected, can I apply for the Smaller Statewide Initiatives?
A: Yes. If an entity applies for the Large Event Partners opportunity and is not selected, it may subsequently apply for the Smaller Statewide Initiatives, provided it meets all eligibility requirements for that program, which includes the Smaller Statewide Initiative submission deadline. Please note that an entity may only receive one award across all opportunities. 

Q: Are local government entities eligible to apply for funding through the application for Large Event Partners, as the guidelines indicate that applicants must qualify as nonprofit organizations? Are municipalities still eligible under certain categories—specifically the Smaller Statewide Initiatives” category?
A: Municipalities are not eligible to directly apply for the Large Event Partner initiative, although they are welcome to partner with a non-profit who, in turn, can apply. Additionally, municipalities are eligible to apply for the Smaller Statewide Initiative. 

Q: Will there be an extension for both the Large Event Parters and Smaller Statewide Initiatives grant?
A: No extension is expected to be granted at this time. 

Q: Is this a loan program?  
A: This is not a loan program. A total of $5 million in grants are available to New Jersey-based organizations to host public fan experiences and events. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority allocated funding to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee to support the State’s World Cup Community Initiative. 

Q: What can the funding be used for?
A: Please refer to the Event Grant Guidelines, which details what funding can be used for each type of grant.  

Q: If an entity wants to host the same event (activities, watch party, etc.) over multiple days, can grant funds be used for this? Or does each day have to be submitted as a different event?
A: The funds may be used for events that take place over multiple days. However, each applying entity is only eligible for one award. For example, if an event spans three days, the awarded funds may support all three days of the event, but the entity cannot submit three separate applications to receive multiple awards for each day. 

Q: How does one obtain a letter of support?
A: A letter of support can be obtained by reaching out to a local entity that is familiar with your event and its community impact, such as a municipal or county government, Destination Marketing Organization, Special Improvement District, Business Improvement District, Urban Enterprise Zone, Local Development Corporation, or a comparable organization. Typically, you would contact the appropriate representative, provide a brief description of the event, explain its benefits, and request an official letter on their letterhead explaining why they are supporting your event. This is just one example of obtaining a letter of support. There could be other methods depending on the structure and resources available within your community and the event that is planned. 

Q: Would an internship program be an eligible activity?
A: Independently compensating interns does not meet the Program’s eligibility requirements. To qualify, an applicant must have a pre-planned event and demonstrate an expansion of that event for the World Cup activation. If the interns were part of that plan (i.e. directly connected to that expanded event), they may be eligible. Another thing to keep in mind: administrative expenses may not exceed five percent of the total grant award. 

Q: Would planting park trees fit the guidelines for this grant?
A: Per the program guidelines, Choose New Jersey will assess how the proposed use of grant funds will demonstrate an expansion of the applicant’s existing, pre‑planned events related to World Cup activation. The planting of trees, on its own, would not meet this criterion, as it does not reflect an expansion of event‑related activities. 

Q: Can the grant money be used for store repairs or purchase of materials to make products?
A: Large Event Partners and Smaller Statewide Partners may utilize up to five percent (5%) of the NJEDA funds issued toward administrative, personnel, and overhead costs incurred in connection with such events. Grant funds can also be used for contract fees, contract payments, venue and/or equipment deposits, inventory, supplies, digital platforms, costs related to professional services, costs related to governmental fees, utilities payments, licensing fees and other customary costs related to operating an event or events. 

Q: Is the funding a match grant or an outright grant?
A: This is not a match grant; however, entities must have already planned to host an event or event series related to World Cup events and must be investing some of their own funds into the planning of the event. The grant is intended to supplement funds for these events. No award may be more than 50% of the anticipated total cost of the cumulative event. 

Q: Should non-grant-related activities my organization is hosting for the World Cup be listed in the overall event plan? 
A: Non-grant-related activities should not be listed in the application section that asks you to describe the grant-eligible event you plan to host. However, there is a section that asks for your entity’s experience planning and hosting events. Any non-grant-related activities that you have planned for the World Cup can be included there as evidence of your organization’s experience planning events. 

Q: The application states Large Event Partners must provide documentation to verify at least five pre-planned events within the State between May and July 2026 with anticipated attendance of over 1,000. Should these events be different from the World Cup-related events? Or are the five pre-planned events simply to demonstrate the capabilities of the organization?
A: The five pre‑planned events for which you provide documentation in the application may be related to the World Cup, but they are not required to be. However, your application must clearly demonstrate how FIFA World Cup activation will be incorporated into these events or into additional events in order to meet eligibility requirements. 

Q: In the application, a question toward the end states, “How will your event promote local businesses, diverse cultural programming, and draw media attention? Ensure you are addressing all five events you are planning.” However, the guidance for the Smaller Partners category does not list a required number of events in the guidelines. Is this a requirement for Small Partners?
A: Smaller Statewide Partners do not need to host five events. Smaller Statewide Partners are only required to plan one event related to the World Cup. The note to address “all five events you are planning” is only applicable to Large Event Partners. 

Q: Would security costs be allowable under operations costs? This would include overtime salary and time from municipal police, fire, EMS, etc.
A: Yes, security costs are allowable under operations costs. The grant allows for contract fees, costs related to professional services, costs related to governmental fees, and other customary costs related to operating an event or events. 

Q: Are organizations able to submit for both the Large Event Partner applications and the Smaller Statewide Partners opportunities or can applicants only submit one application? 
A: Organizations can submit applications for both the Large Event Partner and Smaller Statewide Partner grants. However, they can only receive one. 

Q: If a nonprofit is applying under the Large Event Partner grant for an event, is a unit of local government allowed to apply for costs for the same event under the Smaller Statewide Partners grant for different funding items?
A: No, it is not permissible for the same event to receive both a Large Event Partner grant and a Smaller Statewide Partner grant, even if they are covering different funding items. 

Q: Is there pre-approved FIFA-compliant marketing material that can be used for these events? 
A: Information regarding the NYNJ Host Committee “Welcome World” Branding Guidelines can be found here. “This is New Jersey” branding guidelines will be provided after the grant is awarded. 

Q: Are there any opportunities for small businesses to get involved with private events, watch parties, etc.?
A: Small businesses have several opportunities to meaningfully get involved. First, small businesses are encouraged to enroll in the Welcome World Rewards Program, the official small business platform of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ NYNJ Host Committee, which allows registered businesses to promote their services during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ period.  

Additionally, although Large Event Partners are required to be 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations, Smaller Statewide Partners are not subject to this requirement. To qualify as a Smaller Statewide Partner, an entity must demonstrate experience in organizing and executing multiple events with at least 200 attendees within the past five years and show a clear commitment to supporting local economies, marketing their destination, and coordinating events. Applicants may also include third‑party partners, such as small businesses, whose expertise may strengthen event production, management, or marketing.  

Finally, as part of the proposal review process, Choose New Jersey will evaluate the extent and quality of an applicant’s partnerships with small businesses. 

Q: What is the specific timeline for organizing the community festival?
A: Per event guidelines, events need to take place between May and July 2026. 

Q: Is a Special Improvement District formed under the New Jersey Special Improvement District Act eligible to apply directly as a government entity, or must an SID partner with a separate 501(c)(3) organization as the lead applicant?
A: Under the program guidelines, Large Event Partner applicants must be organized as a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6), and SIDs may only apply directly if they independently hold one of these nonprofit designations or partner with an entity that holds those designations. For Smaller Statewide Initiatives, an SID may submit an application directly if it has a qualifying event(s) or with an eligible partner entity that meets all other requirements outlined in the guidelines. 

Q: Does the 5% administrative/personnel cap apply to the total project budget or only to the portion funded by NJEDA grant funds?
A: The 5% administrative fee only applies to the NJEDA grant funds.   

Q: Does an Executive Director’s in-kind salary contribution count toward the 50% match, or must it be excluded?
A: An Executive Director’s in-kind salary prorated for the time served on the project (event or events) would count toward the 50% match. That data must be disclosed to Choose New Jersey as part of the proposal.  

Q: Can pop-up vendor fees collected from third-party vendors operating at the event count as matching revenue against the 50% requirement, or must the match come exclusively from the organizing entity’s own funds and in-kind contributions?
A: The match is for the projected budget of the event and not the revenue. If an entity is planning an event with a self-funded budget of $50K, it can request an additional $50K to incorporate or expand World Cup activations as part of that event.   

Q: Is there a preference or geographic priority for events located in North Jersey municipalities adjacent to MetLife Stadium, given their proximity to actual match activity?
A: We are prioritizing a statewide approach to event distribution, with a balance across North, Central, and South Jersey. The broader goal is to ensure communities across New Jersey can participate in and benefit from the World Cup experience. 

Q: In the applicant eligibility section for the Large-Scale, Multi-Day, Multi-Location Events Grant, it references organizing events across New Jersey. Does this require events to be held at multiple locations, or can the requirement be met through multiple events hosted at a single location? For example, our organization is planning a series of activations throughout the duration of a tournament at one venue. Are we eligible to apply to the Large-Scale, Multi-Day, Multi-Location Events Grant?
A: The five required events for the Large-Scale, Mult-Day, Multi-Location Events Grant can be held in a single location as long as they are five separate events. It should be noted, however, that Choose New Jersey, in its evaluation of the proposal, must consider geographic diversity per the Program Guidelines.

Q: Is our organization permitted to apply for both the Smaller Statewide Initiatives Grant and the Large-Scale, Multi-Day, Multi-Location Events Grant?
A: Organizations can submit applications for both the Large Event Partner and Smaller Statewide Partner grants. However, they can only receive one. 

Q: In Section 2 of the Large-Scale, Multi-Day, Multi-Location Events Grant application, the form requests estimated attendance. Should this figure represent the total projected attendance across all events, or the average attendance per individual event?
A: The estimated attendance should represent average attendance across all events. 

Q: In the event readiness section, the application asks for permit status. Could you clarify which permits this refers to? For example, does this include venue permits, event permits, viewing licenses, or all required permits associated with the event?
A: This section exists as a way to verify that the events are currently being planned by the entity applying.  Any permits applied for to support the execution of the events being planned are acceptable. 

Q: Has the broadcasting rights issue been resolved for permitted community watch parties and public outdoor screenings of the World Cup matches? 
A: The FIFA Public Viewing Platform is now live. This platform streamlines the process for requesting public viewing licenses for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. You can also review the guidelines and regulations for public viewings here. 

Q: The minimum grant for the Smaller Statewide Initiatives Grant is $50K and covers a maximum of 50% of expenses. Does that mean our event series needs to have an estimated budget of $100K or more? What happens if we are awarded the grant and then our expenses are (for example) $80K?
A: The new event budget would be revised to be $100K. The additional $50K exists to add or expand a Fan Fest activation as part of the event(s). The expectation is that the entire $100K would be spent on the events.    

Q: Is a local New Jersey government or town eligible to apply directly for these funds?
A: Under the program guidelines, Large Event Partner applicants must be organized as a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6). For Smaller Statewide Initiatives, a local New Jersey government or town may submit an application directly if it has a qualifying event(s). It may also apply with an eligible partner that meets all other requirements outlined in the guidelines. 

Q: How can small businesses that are unable to meet the funding threshold to receive the grant be involved in the World Cup to ensure the economic and cultural benefits of the tournament extend beyond the stadium host communities and into municipalities statewide?
A: Small businesses are encouraged to enroll in the Welcome World Rewards Program, the official small business platform of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ NYNJ Host Committee, which allows registered businesses to promote their services during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ period. 

Q: If the location for a Smaller Statewide Partner event has a biergarten and would like to use that as an “upcharge” or special experience NOT utilizing funding from the grant, is that permissible?
A: Grant funding cannot be used for the construction or production of any activation that is alcohol-related.  Because events are partially self-funded, it is recommended that the event Partner allocate funding for alcohol-related activations and utilize grant funding for the allowable costs. 

Q: Do applicants need to coordinate activities in all three regions (North, Central, and South) to be considered for funding?
A: No. Greater consideration will be given to events that distribute funding around the State, but it is not a requirement of receiving funding. 

Q: Is it true that grant funds cannot support more than 50% of the initiative’s budget?
A: Yes. Event organizers need to self-fund at least 50% of the event’s budget to be eligible.