Financial Assistance

The Port of San Diego Financial Assistance Program

Introduction

Welcome to the Port of San Diego Financial Assistance Program page. Through financial assistance, the Port supports many activities and organizations that make San Diego Bay a vibrant and thriving place for everyone.

The Port’s Financial Assistance Program provides funding and services to organizations whose activities support the Port’s Tidelands Trust purposes of promoting commerce, navigation recreation and fisheries on the Port tidelands; or that otherwise further the Port’s goals of serving as an economic engine, environmental steward and provider of community services. This program supports many different events and programs including educational, environmental, maritime-based, athletic, business-related and entertainment.

Please see the information below, including the references to help you learn more about and, if appropriate, apply for financial assistance for your event or program.

Status of the 2010-11 Financial Assistance Program

Applications to the 2010-11 Port of San Diego Financial Assistance Program were due to the Port on November 6, 2009. A total of 52 applications were received. Port staff is currently reviewing all applications and will make its recommendations to the Port of San Diego Financial Assistance Advisory Committee at the Committee’s upcoming meetings.

The Financial Assistance Advisory Committee meetings will be held February 10, 2010 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., February 18, 2010 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and March 3, 2010 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Status of the 2009-10 Financial Assistance Program

On May 5, 2009 the Board of Port Commissioners approved the 2009-10 Port of San Diego Financial Assistance Program for events and programs taking place between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009. List of 2009-10 Financial Assistance Program approved funding and services.

Financial Assistance Program References

Note: The linked applications files require use of an Adobe PDF reader and a Microsoft® Word™ compatible application. The PDF reader is available for free from Adobe. A freely available Word-compatible office suite can be downloaded from OpenOffice.org.

1. BPC Policy 025, Financial Assistance Program (pdf): This is the Board of Port Commissioners Policy that addresses how the Port considers requests for funding and services through its Financial Assistance Program. To make sure that your proposal qualifies, please read this policy.
2. San Diego Unified Port District Act (pdf): This is the State of California legislation establishing the Port of San Diego. The portion that relates to the Financial Assistance Program is Section 57 on page 20. This is the section that assigns the Port the role of promoting commerce, navigation, recreation and fisheries in its jurisdiction, referred to as the San Diego Bay tidelands.
3. 2010-11 Financial Assistance Agreement Template (doc): This is the currently used template of the agreement that is executed between the Port and each organization that is selected to receive funding and/or services through the Financial Assistance Program. Please review this to familiarize yourself with the requirements it places on financial assistance recipients, including but not limited to indemnification and insurance.  PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS THE TEMPLATE CURRENTLY IN USE AND THAT ELEMENTS OF THE TEMPLATE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO WHEN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENTS ARE DEVELOPED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2010-11 PROGRAM.
4. Financial Assistance Program 2010-11 Application (pdf) or MS Word Application  (doc): This is the application used for fiscal year 2010-11. This application differs from that used for fiscal year 2009-10 and is the only version of the program application that will be accepted. The Word version can be filled in on-line.
5. Port of San Diego Park Permit Large Event Application: If you are applying for financial assistance for an event that is proposed to take place in one of the 16 parks that the Port manages on San Diego Bay, you must also submit an application for a park permit at least 90 days before the approved event. Please keep in mind that approval of a park permit is subject to park availability. Also, the Port may require a damage deposit of up to $5,000, depending on the size and scope of the event, for the use of Port parks.
6. Financial Assistance Application Attachment A, Respondent’s Equal Opportunity Program (pdf). or MS Word version (doc): This document requests information regarding your organization’s equal opportunity program and must be completed and submitted by all applicants for financial assistance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• I want to hold my event at a location off of the Port tidelands. Can I still qualify for financial assistance?
• Why do I have to give you my tax-ID number?
• Do I have to be a non-profit organization?
• What is the maximum amount of funds I can request?
• Is the Port of San Diego part of the City of San Diego?
• Why can't I receive my financial assistance funding prior to my event?
• How long does it take before I know if I have been approved for financial assistance?
• What if I don’t know what date I want to hold my event?
• Is there a point of contact for the Financial Assistance Program?

Q: I want to hold my event at a location off of the Port tidelands. Can I still qualify for financial assistance?
A: You might qualify for funding based on the nature of your event; however, the Port could not waive park fees given that your event is not on the Port tidelands.

Q: Why do I have to give you my tax-ID number?
A: This information is necessary in order for the Port to register you as a vendor/payee for Port funds.

Q: Do I have to be a non-profit organization?
A: The Port's Financial Assistance Program policy, BPC Policy 025, does not specifically require that applying organizations be non-profit in nature.

Q: What is the maximum amount of funds I can request?
A: Note: While there is no stated maximum, please note that the Financial Assistance Program annual budget for FY2009-2010 was approximately $210,000 and that this amount will be divided among several qualifying organizations.

Q: Is the Port of San Diego or Unified Port part of the City of San Diego?
A: The Port of San Diego is a special district and separate government entity, created by an act of the State Legislature in 1962.

Q: Why can't I receive my financial assistance funding prior to my event?
A: In order to provide financial assistance, the Port is required by our governing legislation to execute a service agreement with financial assistance recipients. The service agreement by its nature requires that services - such as conducting the event and promoting the Port as a sponsor - be rendered prior to payment.

Q: How long does it take before I know if I have been approved for financial assistance?
A: Note: This answer applies to the 2010-11 program: The Financial Assistance Program process includes a review of applications by Port staff, who will communicate its recommendations for funding to the Financial Assistance Advisory Committee, which will meet in early 2010. You will be notified of the staff recommendation regarding your application prior to the Committee's meetings, where you will have the opportunity to speak to the committee about your application and hear the Committee's recommendation. The Committee's recommendations will then be considered by the Board of Port Commissioners in either April or May 2010.

Q: What if I don't know what date I want to hold my event?
A: If you don't know what date you want to hold your event, fill in the event date section of your application with as much information as you do know, such as “March 2010”. If you have no idea, fill in "To Be Determined". Be advised, however, that park reservations are made on a first come, first served basis, so it is important to decide upon an event date as early as possible and inform Port staff of that date.

Q: Is there a point of contact for the Financial Assistance Program?

A: The Communications & Community Services staff of the Port of San Diego is responsible for the Financial Assistance Program and can be reached at: (619) 686-6551 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .