SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve a High Impact Grant Funding request for Clearwater Jazz Holiday in an amount not to exceed $30,000 for the Clearwater Jazz Holiday event October 15-18, 2026, in Coachman Park.
Body
SUMMARY:
In 2025, Clearwater Jazz Holiday (CJH) received $125,000 from the Downtown Development Board (DDB) to support the four-day October event. CJH also received $75,000 in funding from Visit St. Pete/Clearwater (VSPC) to support marketing, tourism promotion, sponsorships, and event-related expenses, and anticipates requesting similar funding for the 2026 events.
The 2026 Clearwater Jazz Holiday is scheduled to take place in October at Coachman Park, utilizing the green space with designated VIP and general admission areas. Ticket pricing for the October event is as follows:
• General Admission (Main Lawn): $44.00 + fees
• Reserved Seats: $64.00 + fees
• Premium Reserved Seats: $104.00 + fees
• VIP Reserved Seats Tier 2: $184.00 + fees
• VIP Reserved Seats Tier 1: $224.00 + fees
Additionally, certain areas of the festival-such as side-stage viewing areas and the bluff overlooking the green-will remain free and open to the public.
At the March 3, 2025, DDB meeting, the Board reached consensus to explore a potential multi-year funding agreement with CJH. In response, staff from the Parks & Recreation Department and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) have worked with CJH to review funding needs, event operations, and a potential partnership structure. Since the applicant is requesting a multi-year agreement, current DDB policy for funding requests does not specifically address multi-year funding. The DDB Board may approve a grant amount different to what is recommended and the board may also approve a multi-year funding commitment, subject to approval of an annual budget allocation for the event. According to DDB policy, the maximum funding amount for a High Impact Grant is $30,000 per application.
If approved, eligible expenses for the funding request will include items such as entertainment, production, infrastructure, marketing, security, insurance, and other event-related costs.
CJH is also working with the Parks & Recreation Department on a similar multi-year contribution for city-sponsored in-kind services.
PLACER.ai Data
10/16/2025 2,200
10/17/2025 2,300
10/18/2025 3,800
10/19/2025 2,200
EVENT FUNDING & BUDGET
The application submitted was for the October 15-18 dates, with a requested amount of $148,000. The request is for two events $140,000 for the Clearwater Jazz Holiday and an $8,000 request to support the CJH Presents Holiday Experience.
Because CJH Presents Holiday Experience event does not meet the threshold for High Impact Funding, staff recommend that the applicant submit a separate DDB funding application.
The applicant is requesting $148,000 ($140,000 for Clearwater Jazz Holiday in October and CJH Presents Holiday Experience $8,000).
Total Event Expenses: $1,150,330
Total Revenue: $1,020,000
Calculation for DDB Funding Request:
Total Expenses - Total Revenue = $130,330
CJH has applied for High Impact Co-Sponsorship through Parks and Recreation Special Events division.
In FY25/26 they were awarded an amount up to $62,820 of in-kind services and have applied for FY26/27 High Impact Co-Sponsorship. Parks and Recreation staff are recommending an amount up to $56,538, which is a 10% reduction from last year. This High Impact Co-Sponsorship will be approved on May 21, 2026, by City Council.
Staff Recommendation: $30,000
Staff recommend approving an amount not to exceed $30,000 to support eligible expenses for the October 2026 Clearwater Jazz Holiday. The recommendation is consistent with the existing High Impact Grant policy.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funding for this grant will be included in the fiscal year 2026/27 budget request for account 1829411-558600, DDB-Marketing.