The Activate Oakland Event Sponsorship Program is an initiative launched in 2023 to activate public spaces and support events to revitalize downtown and neighborhood commercial areas while promoting economic recovery. The program provides funding for events and activations that support Oakland’s commercial districts, small businesses, and arts and culture community.
 

Activate Oakland Sponsored Events
 

Congratulations to the Activate Oakland Event Sponsorship Program Awardees!

Click here to see the full list of  awardees announced on November 21, 2023

Click here to read the City of Oakland press release

Activate Oakland Program Goals
 

• Activate a variety of commercial districts with a focus on events in or involving participants from priority neighborhoods.
• Provide opportunities for Oakland-based small businesses, artists, cultural groups and especially commercial districts in priority neighborhoods for direct economic and marketing benefits.
• Build social cohesion and support shared positive experiences for community in Oakland; Showcase Oakland’s unique arts, culture, and identity.
• Create new free community events and/or expand size/attendance of existing free community events.
   

Visit Oakland Partnership

Visit Oakland was elected by the City of Oakland to manage the Activate Oakland Event Sponsorship Program and provide marketing assistance to events that receive sponsorships. In collaboration with Mayor Sheng Thao, Oakland’s Department of Economic and Workforce Development, citywide business associations and arts communities, Visit Oakland extensive outreach to spotlight this funding opportunity and provide support to potential program applicants, particularly community members who have previously been ineligible for city event and cultural funding.

We are thrilled to administer and promote a program that creates more of what makes Oakland such a vibrant place to be!