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Grants Available

The Tompkins County Tourism Program offers a variety of grant programs. All tourism grants are funded from the Hotel Room Occupancy Tax. The Strategic Tourism Planning Board  advises the Tompkins County Legislature on all tourism grant programs and awards.

All grant applications must be submitted online through Common Grant Application. Please watch this brief video to learn about Common Grant Application.
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View all grant programs and start an application.

Interested in applying for funding for an upcoming event or project? Check the resources below for guidance.
 

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Detailed information on specific grant programs is below:

Arts & Culture Organization Development Grant

Funding provided through the Arts & Culture Organization Development (ACOD) grant supports organizations that enhance Tompkins County's brand as an artistic and cultural destination. Eligible organizations include public museums and performing / visual arts organizations in Tompkins County.

The 2023 ACOD grant cycle is closed. Current-year awards were announced in March. 

The Community Arts Partnership (CAP) assists with the administration of this grant program. All parties interested in this grant are strongly encouraged to reach out to CAP at their earliest convenience.

ACOD Stabilization & Recovery Fund

Current ACOD grant recipients can apply for supplemental funding. On May 2, 2023, the County Legislature approved a budget adjustment to support the ACOD Stabilization and Recovery Fund (SRF). 

This grant cycle is closed. Awards were announced in mid-July. 

Community Celebrations Grant

Community Celebrations grants support local events that convey the unique culture and history of Tompkins County. Their mission is to enhance quality of life for residents, improve understanding of local culture, and foster community identity and involvement in ways that are informative, educational, and just plain fun. The County Historian provides guidance on this grant program.

The fall 2023 Community Celebrations grant cycle is closed. Grant awards will be announced in mid-October. 

Tompkins Outdoors Grant

The Tompkins Outdoors Grant is intended to increase the capacity of organizations that enhance the county's profile as a leading destination for outdoor recreation. All applicants must either be responsible for stewardship of an outdoor recreation asset in Tompkins County or offer outdoor recreation programming in the county. Please see the grant guidelines below for detailed information about eligibility, award ranges, and the evaluation process.

The 2023 Tompkins Outdoors grant cycle is closed. Awards were announced in May.

Tourism Advancement Grant

Tourism Advancement Grants fund projects and marketing campaigns that attract visitors to Tompkins County for overnight stays.

The Tourism Advancement Grant combines and replaces the Tourism Project Grant and Tourism Marketing Grant offered in previous years. This grant can fund product development and marketing expenses. Please see the grant guidelines below for detailed information about eligibility, award ranges and the evaluation process.

The fall 2023 Tourism Advancement grant cycle is closed. Grant awards will be announced in mid-October. 

Tourism Capital Grant

Tourism Capital Grants support major investments in visitor-generating projects such as theaters, museums, and other major cultural and recreational attractions. The funds can be used for design, renovation, and new building projects; investments in unique permanent installations such as exhibits; and feasibility studies of potential capital projects.

Please see the grant guidelines for detailed information about eligibility, award ranges, and the evaluation process.

The 2023 Tourism Capital grant cycle is closed. Awards will be announced in mid-October. 

Ithaca Area Economic Development assists with the administration of this grant program. All parties interested in this grant are strongly encouraged to schedule a pre-application meeting.

Strategic Tourism Implementation Grant

The Strategic Tourism Implementation (STI) Grant supports projects that substantially advance actions identified in the Strategic Tourism Plan. This funding opportunity is intended to be flexible in terms of the types of proposals that will be considered which may include local tourism program and industry research priorities. Please see the grant guidelines below for detailed information about eligibility, award ranges, and the evaluation process. 

The STI grant program will accept letters of interest through November 1, 2023. 

Inactive Grant Programs

Tourism Marketing Grant

Tourism Marketing Grants funded marketing and advertising campaigns that attract visitors from outside Tompkins County. The Tourism Advancement Grant was launched in 2023 as the successor to this grant.

Tourism Project Grant

Tourism Project grants funded efforts that drew visitors to Tompkins County for overnight stays or accomplish other actions listed in the Strategic Tourism Plan. The Tourism Advancement Grant was launched in 2023 as the successor to this grant.