The intent of the Special Event Grant is to provide marketing funds to existing, well-established events for the expansion and progression of marketing strategies to attract new audiences, increase overnight visitation and length of stay.
Donor Name: Maine Office of Tourism (MOT)
State: Maine
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement
Deadline: 05/23/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Special Events have the ability to strengthen Maine’s brand and image nationally and internationally, have a direct economic impact on the state economy and attract visitation to Maine’s shoulder season.
The intent of the Special Event Grant is to provide marketing funds to existing, wellestablished events for the expansion and progression of marketing strategies to attract new audiences, increase overnight visitation and length of stay. Special events strengthen Maine’s brand and image nationally and internationally, have a direct economic impact on the state economy and attract visitation to Maine’s shoulder season. Events must be aligned with and support the Office of Tourism Destination Management Plan and Stewardship Principles. All invoicing to the Maine Office of Tourism will be paid on a reimbursement only basis.
Funding Information
Two Special Event Grants are awarded each fiscal year (one award per cycle) for a minimum amount of $30,000 and a maximum amount of $60,000.
Grant Period
All contracts will be signed for a period of no more than twelve (12) months.
Eligible Projects
The following items are eligible projects:
- Paid Advertising – Print, Broadcast, Digital, Out-of-Home, Paid Social Media
- Public & Media Relations – Familiarization Tours, Media Events, Online Press Room
- Existing Website Upgrades – Mobilization, Content, Search Engine Optimization
- Asset Development – Photography/Video Acquisition
- Fulfillment – Brochures, Guides, Maps & Distribution
- Event Management/Administration – No more than 20% of total MTMPP funds can be used for administrative expenses. Administrative expenses may not be built into any other section of the grant and must be clearly explained in event budget.
Eligibility Criteria
- Organizations applying for funding must be a Maine municipality, tribal government, or Maine-based 501C3 or C6 or L3C.
- Organizations must create an online account 14 days prior to the grant deadline. If you have previously registered for an account, you must log-in to update your account 14-days prior.
- Organizations previously awarded MTMPP Enterprise grant funding may not apply for a period of 12 months after the submission and approval of a MTMPP Final Grant Report.
- Projects must be tourism focused by attracting individuals residing fifty miles or more from the destination.
- Projects must be aligned with and support the Office of Tourism Destination Management Plan and Stewardship Principles.
- Events may not occur within 90 days of the grant start date
- Organizations must be in good standing as of application deadline with the Secretary of State (not applicable for municipalities).
- A previous unsatisfactory grant history, for any reason, could immediately disqualify a grant application.
For more information visit MOT.
