The City of Waynesboro is accepting applications for its 2024 Building Opportunities to Support Tourism (BOOST) Grant Program.
Donor Name: City of Waynesboro
State: Virginia
City: Waynesboro
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/28/2023
Size of the Grant: Up to $3,000
Grant Duration: 1 year
Details:
The BOOST Microgrant Program was created to support and enhance tourism efforts within the City of Waynesboro. They believe that 2024 will be a strong year for the tourism industry in Waynesboro, after several challenging years brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are looking for new, innovative, creative marketing efforts to encourage visitation to Waynesboro for unique events once again.
The goal of the 2023-2024 BOOST Program is to support new marketing efforts for events aimed at attracting tourists from more than 50 miles away to Waynesboro.
Funding Information
Financial awards up to $3,000 per organization may be used for marketing activities that promote one-time events or series of events in Waynesboro taking place between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.
Qualifying marketing activities include but are not limited to:
- Print and digital advertising with Blue Ridge Outdoors
- Social Media Marketing (as long as the targeted audience is outside of Waynesboro)
- Print and digital advertising with Virginia Living
- Print and digital advertising with Northern Virginia Magazine
- Graphic design and printing services for promotional rack cards, brochures, and banners
- Professional photography or videography that can be used for promotion (rights must be given to City of Waynesboro for use)
- Pre-approved travel writers/influencers for content creation (rights must be given to City of Waynesboro for use)
- Other – discuss with Waynesboro Tourism Staff before submitting your application!
Requirements for Grant Awards:
- Events and programs receiving BOOST funds will exclusively promote events within the City of Waynesboro.
- All grant recipients will be asked to provide a link to the event/activity for promotion on the city tourism website.
- Award recipients will submit proposed artwork for advertising materials two weeks prior to printing/release date for branding approval. Final examples of any advertising supported by a grant must be provided to the Tourism Department (copies of print ads, brochures, etc.).
- Award recipients will send final versions of any marketing materials (graphics, printed materials, photos, etc.) to Waynesboro Tourism as early as is convenient, so the department can promote the event.
- Data obtained from event attendees is useful for future marketing purposes. The City reserves the right to request surveys of attendees for all projects funded. Additionally, the City may opt to do their own survey of attendees. In kind, the City agrees to share data related to funded events with award recipients.
- Any desired changes to an approved grant must be submitted through a written “Grant Modification Request” via email. The City’s written approval must be received in order to be reimbursed if changes occur after the grant has been approved.
- Grant recipients must be an approved vendor with the City at the time of awardThe City should be supplied four (4) tickets to any ticketed event funded through BOOST.
- The City will schedule time with grant recipients to go over requirements and expectations attached to the grant and sign a performance agreement.
Considerations for Reimbursement
- Costs incurred before July 1, 2023 or later than June 30, 2024 will NOT be eligible for reimbursement.
- All requests for reimbursement must be made within 30 days of the event date AND before June 30, 2024 unless otherwise approved by the Department of Tourism.
- All reimbursement requests must be submitted prior to June 30, 2024. If an event occurs within the months of May or June 2024, recipients will notify Stephanie Duffy at Waynesboro Tourism to make arrangements for late-term billing and reimbursement
- Supporting documentation must accompany reimbursement requests. This may include media invoices, ads placed, tear sheets, and vendor/supplier invoices.
For more information, visit City of Waynesboro.
