The Tompkins County Tourism Program is excited to announce our spring 2023 grant opportunities. Funding is available for organizations to plan events, enhance outdoor recreation amenities, and promote our community to visitors. The following grant programs are now accepting applications:
Community Celebrations Grants support local events that convey the unique culture and history of Tompkins County. Community Celebrations are free, open to all, and planned by community members. $21,825 has been budgeted for the 2023 grants. Applications for Community Celebrations Grants are due Feb. 27, 2023.
Tourism Advancement Grants fund activities that attract visitors to Tompkins County for overnight stays. These grants can support product development and marketing expenses associated with events, installations, and other short-term projects that appeal to visitors. This grant program replaces and combines the Tourism Project Grant and Tourism Marketing Grant offered in prior years. $83,700 has been budgeted for 2023 grants. Applications for Tourism Advancement Grants are due Feb. 27, 2023.
Tompkins Outdoors Grants provide general operating support to organizations that oversee stewardship of outdoor recreation assets or offer outdoor recreation programming. Funds can be used for projects, programming, and staff that build organizational capacity and align with goals in the County’s Strategic Tourism Plan. $60,000 has been budgeted for Tompkins Outdoors Grants in 2023. Applicants are required to submit an eligibility questionnaire for this program by Jan. 17, 2023. Eligible organizations will be invited to submit a full application by March 6, 2023.
Final award decisions are expected in April for the Community Celebrations Grant and Tourism Advancement Grant. Detailed instructions for applicants and grant guidelines are available at www.tompkinscountyny.gov/tourism/grants.
A free grant applicant workshop will be held Thursday, Jan. 19, at 6:00 pm at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC), 301 W. Court Street, Ithaca, New York. Please send a message to tourism@tompkins-co.org to let us know you if you plan to attend the workshop.
The Tompkins County Tourism Program annually invests local hotel room occupancy tax dollars in community-based tourism to promote economic development and enhance quality of life. This program is guided by the Strategic Tourism Planning Board. Learn more at www.tompkinscountyny.gov/tourism.
Contact:
Nick Helmholdt, Principal Planner / Tourism Program Director
nhelmholdt@tompkins-co.org 607-274-5560