Large Special Events Fund Program

The Large Special Events Fund (LSE Fund) is a grant program to attract and secure large and special events to destinations in Michigan.

Program Overview

The Large Special Events Fund (“LSE Fund”) is a grant program to attract and secure large and special events to destinations in Michigan. This includes, but is not limited to national conventions, national conferences, major sporting events or other significant events that would feature Michigan to a national or out-of-state audience. The funds were appropriated in Public Act 119 of 2023 (page 357) with corresponding boilerplate requirements in sec. 615 (page 379) to deploy $7,750,000 to help attract eligible special events and support costs associated with hosting those events.

Eligible Applicants

Entities that meet all of the following criteria are eligible to apply:

  • Is actively involved in large special event recruitment or activation;
    Maintains one or more physical offices in Michigan;
  • Falls within one of the following categories: non-profit entity, convention and visitors bureau, municipality/local government entity, and/or institution of higher education
  • For applicable entities: is properly registered and in good standing with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (“LARA”) at the time of application for funding. Applicant must provide a certificate of good standing from LARA that is dated within 90 days of submission of its application.

Use of Funds

Grant awards must be used in accordance with the following requirements:

  • The event must have a regular attendance of more than 500 people.
  • The event must not have been hosted in Michigan during the 2022 calendar year.
  • Funds must be disbursed by the recipient within 18 months of the date the recipient receives the grant award.

Award Structures and Funding

The MEDC will begin accepting applications on Monday, February 12, 2024 and the application window will be open until funding is no longer available. All applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as applications are received in order to meet critical timelines in event dates and execution.

Applications must be submitted to: [email protected]

Applications should consist of a 1-2 page proposal comprised of 5 parts:

  • A paragraph/description of the applying entity;
  • A narrative summary of the proposed effort, including the impact the event will have on the community; specific efforts the funds will be used to support and efforts to highlight the destination/state of Michigan to a broad audience as a result of the event;
  • The grant amount requested to secure/activate the event;
  • Project staffing and potential use of subcontractors to deploy funding;
  • A list of other local officials, destination marketing organizations, downtown development authorities, local economic development organizations and/or any other local stakeholder supporting this request to demonstrate coordination and alignment of local LSE Fund priorities.

The MEDC may deny a grant application for the following reasons:

  • The applicant does not satisfy all of the requirements for eligibility pursuant to Public Act 119 of 2023;
  • There is insufficient funding available to pay the grant amount requested.

Under approval of an application, the MEDC and the applicant shall enter into a written grant agreement that includes the terms and conditions consistent with the statutory requirements, these guidelines, and the required periodic reporting of data to the MEDC.

Grant Disbursement

In order to receive funds, your company must be registered in the State of Michigan SIGMA Vendor Self Service (VSS) system.

To create or claim your VSS account go to www.michigan.gov/VSSLogin.

If your company is not yet an existing vendor with the MEDC, the Michigan Strategic Fund, or the State of Michigan, follow the directions for SOM VSS User Guide for New Vendors, which can be found under the Forms and Reference Documents section.

If your company is an existing vendor with the Michigan Strategic Fund, or the State of Michigan, follow the directions for SOM VSS User Guide for Existing Vendors, which can be found under the Forms and Reference Documents section.

Per MEDC policy, your company must also be registered to receive EFT payments. To updated EFT information in the State of Michigan SIGMA Vendor Self Service (VSS) system:

  1. Access SIGMA VSS at www.michigan.gov/VSSLogin.
  2. On the VSS Home Page, enter your User ID and Password.
  3. Select Login. Your Account Summary page will display.
  4. Under the Account Information tab, click the Business Info subtab, and click the Update button.
  5. Scroll down to the “EFT Information” section.
  6. Enter your ABA number (this number is identical to your Routing Number) in the ABA Number field.
  7. Select the Account Type from the drop-down list and enter your Account Number. Leave the Routing ID Number field blank.
  8. Click Save Changes when you are done updating your account.
  9. A “Thank You” message will appear, select Next. The My Business Information page displays.

The bank has 7 business days to verify your account information before the State can send payments directly to your account.

If your project qualifies for this program, make sure to register in SIGMA as soon as possible. In your application submission email, include the following information from your SIGMA vendor account:

  • Name of Registered Entity
  • Name of Account Receiving EFT
  • Name of Financial Institution
  • Last four digits of Account
  • Vendor/Customer Number

Reporting

Reporting will be done on an annual basis.