The Tompkins County Tourism Program is now accepting applications for the Fall 2019 Community Celebrations grant cycle. A total of $11,662 in funding is available, with a maximum award of $3,000 per application.
Community Celebrations Grants assist events and programs that are free and open to all and that reflect the unique history and culture of Tompkins County and its residents. In the Spring 2019 grant cycle, the Tourism Program awarded more than $28,000 in grant funding for 22 Community Celebrations, including long-time favorites like Streets Alive! Ithaca and International Mud Day to newcomer events like Rootstock. Eligible applicants include local nonprofit organizations and municipal governments.
Applications are due online no later than 11:59 am, Thursday, August 29. Grant guidelines and applications are available at www.tompkinscountyny.gov/tourism/grants.
A free workshop for grant applicants will be held Wednesday, July 31st, 10:30am-12:30pm, at the Tompkins County Public Library (BorgWarner East Community Room). Participants will learn about eligibility requirements, the online grant portal, and tips for getting an application noticed. Tourism Program staff will be available to take questions and, time permitting, offer one-on-one advice. RSVP to tourism@tompkins-co.org by Tuesday July 30.
The Tompkins County Tourism Program annually invests over $2.5 million in local hotel room occupancy tax dollars in community-based tourism to promote economic development and enhance quality of life. In 2017 tourism in Tompkins County supported 3,700 local jobs, generated $216 million in visitor spending, and raised more than $16.2 million in local tax revenues. Learn more at the Tourism Program website.
Contact: Nick Helmholdt, Principal Planner/Tourism Program Director, 607-274-5560, or Kristin McCarthy, Administrative Assistant TC Department of Planning and Sustainability, 607-274-5560.