Applications are now open for the 2022/2023 Yazoo County CVB Tourism Grant Program to position Yazoo County as a regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized destination by developing quality marketing programs and sales outreach to attract visitors to the area.
Donor Name: Yazoo County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB)
State: Mississippi
County: Yazoo County (MS)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/31/2022
Grant Size: $10,000
Details:
The goal of the Yazoo County Convention & Visitors Bureau’s grant program is to increase the tourism-related offerings in Yazoo County for our visitors and to continue to increase the number and quality of visitors to our area each and every year. The reimbursements and expertise received by grant-approved organizations from the CVB can not only mean success for an event, site, attraction or project, but it can also mean growth, which in the long run means growth for all businesses in Yazoo County.
The Yazoo County CVB offers two types of grants. The first and probably most popular type is for Advertising & Promotion of an event, site, or attraction. The second is for Preservation/Enhancement, which includes the repair or improvement of tourism-related sites, and for placement of historical or cultural markers.
- The first type of assistance available is for Advertising & Promotion: This type of assistance targets markets outside of our immediate area (over a 100-mile radius or out-of-state). Your organization must purchase paid advertising (such as magazine, newspaper, radio and television ads and billboards); printed brochures and calendars of events; and put together public relations kits for your event. Entertainment, labor, t-shirts, and other clothing items are not eligible for consideration. Your organization will be reimbursed for the purchases once deemed all qualifications are met and proof of bills paid by your organization.
- The second type of assistance available is for Historical/Cultural Enhancement: The primary purpose of this type of assistance is for the repair and /or improvement of tourism or tourism-related sites and for the placement of historical and/or cultural markers (such as Blues trail, Freedom trail markers, and other markers for historic preservation). This type of assistance is not for bricks and mortar projects. The Convention and Visitors Bureau will not provide this type of assistance for salaries or operating/administrative expenses. They will also give priority to projects for which the requesting organization is providing some of the funding necessary and/or has obtained additional funding from other sources. Proof of other funding sources may be requested by the Bureau, and may have to be presented before a decision is made. You may submit an application for only one type of assistance during the fiscal year; with a maximum request of $10,000.
Criteria
For the most part, requirements for their grants are very simple, and include: Project must help the Yazoo County CVB to meet their goal of increased visitor traffic, Yazoo County CVB must be recognized as a sponsor in all of your advertising, the exact proofs of your advertisements and press releases should be submitted to the CVB for approval prior to release, a final report and requests for reimbursement must be submitted no more than 60 days after completion of your project, and your project must have an established bank account in order to receive reimbursements. In some circumstances, the requirements can be a bit more complicated, and they suggest that you take the time to read and fully understand the application before applying. They are happy to answer any questions you may have. They hope it is understood that their requirements are in no way intended to discourage or limit your organization in applying for or receiving a grant. Their first responsibility is to the taxpayers, whose contributions fund their grant program. It is imperative that they have a set of checks and balances in place to ensure grant funds are used appropriately and in a way that benefits Yazoo County’s tourism goals.
For more information, visit Yazoo County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB).
