June 11, 2023 – Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is pleased to announce that its 2023 vintage car race is supported by a grant of $75,000 from The Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County (“SEA”) through its Sports Event Funding (“SEF”) Program. The PVGP is one of eight organizations whose events were recognized financially for providing significant economic impact to Allegheny County, with substantial hotel occupancy and tourism spending.
PVGP Executive Director Dan DelBianco was thrilled with the announcement saying, “This grant will be a tremendous boost to our event and our charities. The costs to stage our event at the Bob O’Connor Golf Course and through the streets of Schenley Park represent our largest single expenditure. This funding will help us maintain our event’s level of quality and enable us to add spectator amenities like the livestream and Peoples Stage. This enables us to promote our event around the country and raise awareness for Pittsburgh and all the wonderful events supported by the SEA. We want to thank the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County for supporting our event, which is now in its 41st year. Many thanks to Jennifer Hawkins and her team at SportsPittsburgh and VisitPittsburgh for their partnership in this endeavor.”
The Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County (“SEA”) and its Sports Commission has announced that it will award a total of $470,400 to eight (8) organizations through their Sports Event Funding (“SEF”) Program. This program provides financial assistance to support major sporting events that provide significant economic impact to Allegheny County, with substantial hotel occupancy and tourism spending. Eligible events include athletic or Esports events, whether professional or amateur, that are regulated and sanctioned by a regional, national, or international organization or association. Funding of up to $75,000 is available in the form of a grant or loan, and the event must occur within two years of the application date. The following sporting events were awarded grants:
USA Judo 2024 Junior Olympics
$60,000 to support a three-day amateur Junior Olympic judo championship tournament to be held Friday, June 21, 2024, through Sunday, June 23, 2024, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
Special Olympics North American Championship – Softball
$75,000 to support a softball tournament to be held in September 2024, at softball field venues located in Allegheny County.
AC Sports Baseball and Softball Tournaments
$75,000 to support sixteen (16) youth baseball and softball tournaments to be held Saturday, April 1, 2023, through Thursday, August 31, 2023, at softball and baseball venues located in Allegheny County by Atlantic Coast Baseball LLC.
2023 GAMMA Pickleball Classic
$75,000 to support an indoor pickleball tournament to be held Friday, August 18, 2023, through Sunday, August 20, 2023, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
2023 Basketball Stars of America Summer Tournaments
$60,000 to support an eleven (11) weekend youth basketball tournament to be held Friday, May 5, 2023, through Sunday, August 13, 2023, at North Allegheny Schools (Wexford/Pittsburgh) and All-America Fieldhouse (Monroeville).
PIP’s Labor Day Girls Fest & PIP’s Burgh Girls Fest
$30,000 to support two girls’ hockey tournaments to be held Friday, September 1, 2023, through Sunday, September 3, 2023, and Friday, November 24, 2023, through Sunday, November 26, 2023, at the Ice Castle (Castle Shannon), RMU Island Sports Center (Neville Island), Baierl Iceplex (Warrendale), Mt. Lebanon Ice Center (Mt. Lebanon).
2nd Annual Pittsburgh HBCU Baseball Classic
$20,400 to support a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) baseball game to be held Saturday, September 23, 2023, at PNC Park.
Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix
$75,000 to support a vintage car race to be held from Friday, July 14, 2023, through Sunday, July 23, 2023, at Schenley Park.
Funding for the program is provided by the Pennsylvania Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund. The next 2023 round of SEF applications will be accepted June 15, 2023 through July 15, 2023.
About the Sports & Exhibition Authority (SEA)
As a joint authority for the City of Pittsburgh and County of Allegheny, the SEA provides venues for sporting, entertainment, educational, cultural, civic, and social events to improve the quality of public life. The SEA owns and leases PNC Park, Acrisure Stadium, and PPG Paints Arena, and owns and operates David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The SEA also owns parking facilities, public parks, development parcels, and various associated infrastructure improvements.
About the SEA Sports Commission
The SEA established the Sports Commission for the purpose of assisting the region in attracting and growing its competitive position in the sports event market. The Sports Commission, a five-member board, evaluates the financial, business, and public impact of proposals for Sports Event Funding and provides recommendations for funding to the SEA Board. For more about the Sports Commission, visit SEA
