Frequently Asked Questions

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Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code as Amended, the public may submit an application for public information. 

To request information, please complete the Application for Public Information.

Submit a concern.

Payment will be due upon signing of the Rental Agreement. Payment must be received by Parks Coordinator no later than 60 days prior to the start of your event. The reservation will not be confirmed until payment in full has been secured.

You are able to have your ceremony anywhere on the public beaches as long as there will be less than 25 people. Should you decide to do this, your party cannot restrict anyone's access to or use of the public beach; you can have a small set up on the beach, but the public is still entitled to use the entirety of the beachfront.

Alcohol is not permitted at Stewart Beach. It is, however, allowed at East Beach and Seawolf Park. Absolutely no glass is allowed on any Texas beaches.

Yes, however you must obtain a loudspeaker permit from the City of Galveston for anything other than a personal speaker. 

Your event site rental includes all set up and tear down time.  If additional time is needed, then it must be requested in advance - additional fees will apply.

No - renter will have to go through a third party for set up and decorations. You may contact the Parks Coordinator for recommendations/referrals.

Individuals, private organizations, nonprofit organizations, and governmental entities are eligible to apply. All applicants are required to attend a mandatory Juneteenth Grant Management Workshop prior to application submission.

The program is funded through the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) collected from lodging establishments within Galveston.

To secure a spot in the mandatory workshop, please confirm your attendance by emailing Heather Melton, the Grants Manager, at hmelton@galvestonparkboard.org at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled session. An email confirmation will be sent to verify that your registration has been successfully processed. Upon completion of the workshop, participants will receive a certificate of attendance, which is essential for application eligibility.

The maximum grant award is $20,000 per project, with no minimum grant amount. Applicants are encouraged to request only the amount they truly need, as detailed in their budget proposal. The funding is distributed equitably, meaning it is allocated based on the merits and needs of each project rather than giving the same amount to all recipients. This method ensures that funds are used effectively, supporting a diverse array of initiatives. Factors considered in funding decisions include the project's scope and scale, the thoroughness of the budget justification, and the expected impact on the community. The aim is to maximize the use of available resources by equitably supporting deserving projects according to their goals and expected outcomes.

The grant supports projects that promote tourism, enhance visitor engagement, and highlight the historical significance of Juneteenth through advertising, public relations, and tourism-centered activities. Projects should directly contribute to increasing visitor traffic and enhancing the tourism experience during the Juneteenth festivities in Galveston. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with Visit Galveston to better understand how to effectively plan and implement their projects. For general guidance on managing your project and preliminary reporting expectations, please refer to the Juneteenth Grant Program Policy Guide or contact the Grants Manager.

Applications are assessed based on their alignment with the program’s objectives, feasibility, potential tourism impact, budget justification, and overall quality. The Juneteenth Grant Committee thoroughly reviews each proposal to ensure it meets the program’s requirements and demonstrates a clear and achievable plan for enhancing the Juneteenth celebration in Galveston. The evaluation process emphasizes maximizing community and visitor engagement while maintaining financial responsibility and measurable outcomes. For more details on the evaluation process, please refer to pages 12-14 of the Juneteenth Grant Program Policy Guide.

The application deadline for the Juneteenth Grant Program is January 17, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their applications well in advance to ensure all requirements, including attending the mandatory workshop and submitting necessary documentation, are met on time. For any updates or additional details, please contact the Grants Manager.

If your application is approved, you will receive a formal grant agreement outlining the terms and conditions of the funding, including reporting requirements, budget allocations, and project deliverables. You must sign and return this agreement to receive the grant funds. Once the agreement is signed, funds will be disbursed, and you can begin project implementation. It is important to follow all terms outlined in the agreement to remain in compliance and ensure the successful execution of your project.

Yes, grant recipients are required to fulfill several post-award responsibilities to ensure the effective use of grant funds. This includes providing periodic updates and a final report detailing the project’s impact, expenditures, and outcomes. Accurate documentation of all expenses and project activities is necessary, including receipts, invoices, and other financial records. Compliance with the terms outlined in the grant agreement is crucial, and recipients must maintain communication with the Grants Manager throughout the project.

Yes, applicants are provided with a budget template at the Juneteenth Grant Management Workshop, which must be used for both the application process and final reporting. This template ensures consistent and accurate tracking of expenses and project alignment with grant requirements. For assistance with completing the budget template, please contact Heather Melton, the Grants Manager, at hmelton@galvestonparkboard.org.

Grant funds must be allocated according to specific guidelines outlined in the Juneteenth Grant Program Policy Guide. Up to 100% of awarded funds may be spent on advertising and tourism promotion activities; however, at least 50% of the budget must be dedicated to these efforts. Allowable expenditures include, but are not limited to, marketing campaigns, social media promotions, travel brochures, and visitor guides, all aimed at enhancing tourism and attracting visitors to Galveston. The remaining funds can be allocated to non-advertising activities, such as event production costs, permits, entertainer compensation, and more, as long as they are directly related to the approved project. Applicants are encouraged to ensure that their budget aligns with the anticipated impact of their project and adheres to these allocation requirements. For help or clarification, please contact Heather Melton, the Grants Manager, at hmelton@galvestonparkboard.org.

To post a Juneteenth event on the Visit Galveston website, use the easy online event submission form available at https://www.visitgalveston.com/events/submit-an-event. This form allows you to add event details quickly and ensure visibility on the Visit Galveston platform. For more guidance or if you encounter any issues, please reach out through the contact information provided on the submission page.

Determining whether your event requires a permit depends on several factors, including the event's size, location, and activities. Here's a general guide:

• City of Galveston: If your event involves 75 or more participants and utilizes or impacts public property, facilities, parks, beaches, sidewalks, or streets within the city, a Special Event Permit is required. This includes activities such as parades, festivals, concerts, or any organized gatherings on public spaces. Detailed guidelines and the application form are available on the City of Galveston's official website.

• Galveston Park Board Managed Areas: For events held at locations managed by the Galveston Park Board—such as R.A. Apffel Beach Park (East Beach), Stewart Beach Park, Seawall Urban Park, East End Lagoon Nature Preserve, Seawolf Park, or Dellanera RV Park—a separate permit process is in place. Information on special events and programs, including application procedures, can be found on the Galveston Park Board's website.

Steps to Determine Permit Requirements:

1. Identify the Event Location: Determine whether your event will take place on city-managed property or within areas overseen by the Galveston Park Board.

2. Assess Event Size and Activities: Consider the number of participants and the nature of activities planned. Larger events or those involving amplified sound, street closures, or sales may have specific permit requirements.

3. Consult Official Resources: Review the guidelines provided by the City of Galveston and the Galveston Park Board to understand specific criteria and application procedures.

4. Contact Relevant Authorities: If uncertain, reach out directly to the appropriate department for clarification. For city-managed properties, contact Megan Pierce, the Recreation, Events & Projects Administrator, at 409-797-3705 or via email. For Park Board areas, connect with Nicole Charlebois, the Parks Special Events Manager, at 409-797-5189 or via email.

   
   

   
   

By following these steps, you can ensure compliance with local regulations and secure the necessary permits for your event.

The Juneteenth Grant Program cannot be used for certain expenses that do not align with the program’s goals. These unallowable expenses include:

• Catering or meals not directly related to promoting tourism or the event.
• Alcoholic beverages or associated costs.
• General administrative costs, such as salaries, office rent, utilities, office supplies, general marketing unrelated to the Juneteenth event, or any other routine business operations that do not directly support the specific event or its tourism goals.
• Fundraising activities that do not directly support tourism or the Juneteenth celebration.
• Travel expenses, including lodging, meals, or transportation, that are not directly related to promoting tourism or the event. While reasonable expenses for compensating entertainers and covering their travel costs may be allowed, personal or professional travel not connected to the event is unallowable.

Please review the budget guidelines in the Juneteenth Grant Program Policy Guide to ensure all proposed expenses are eligible. If you need clarification, feel free to contact Heather Melton, the Grants Manager, at hmelton@galvestonparkboard.org.

Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) is a tax collected by the City of Galveston from guests who stay in local hotels, motels, and other lodging establishments. It is important to note that this tax is not imposed on local taxpayers—it is paid by visitors staying in Galveston. The funds collected from this tax are dedicated to promoting tourism and supporting activities that help attract visitors to the area.

Under state law (Texas Tax Code, Chapter 351), HOT funds can only be used for activities that directly promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry. While the law provides the framework for allowable uses, specific program guidelines—such as those outlined in the Juneteenth Grant Program—detail what expenses are unallowable. For example, general administrative costs (like office rent or routine operational expenses), catering, alcoholic beverages, and personal travel expenses are considered unallowable as they do not directly contribute to the promotion of tourism or the event.

For more detailed guidance on allowable and unallowable expenses, please refer to the Juneteenth Grant Program Policy Guide or contact Heather Melton, the Grants Manager.