The Delaware County Economic Development is seeking applications for its 2024 Local Community Tourism Grant Program.
Donor Name: Delaware County Economic Development
State: New York
County: Delaware County (NY)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/28/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Occupancy Tax was enacted into law by the Board of Supervisors for the purposes of creating a dedicated funding stream to promote and develop the tourism industry within Delaware County, thereby stimulating economic growth.
Funds raised through the occupancy tax will be utilized to support the implementation of programs designed to promote and increase tourism in Delaware County, as well as projects relating to capital and infrastructure investments that further support the development of this industry.
Funding Categories
- Arts & Culture
- Maximum funding – $1,200
- Projects must support artistic events, programs or a series of events that promote public engagement and access to the arts.
- Must attract non-county visitors and be open to the general public.
- Community Celebrations
- Maximum funding – $1,200
- Projects that support events, programs, or a series of events that seek to build upon historical, musical, culinary, agricultural, recreational and/or cultural traditions of the area and hold the reasonable potential to attract non-county visitors.
- Events must be open to the general public.
- Promotion/Marketing
- Maximum funding – $5,000
- Projects should be designed to promote specific locales, activities or tourism areas within Delaware County that will target non-county visitors. Project collaboration is encouraged (i.e: Event promotes other businesses that enhances the event – lodging/restaurants/other activities).
- Funds requested under this category should be used to cover costs related to printed materials, web site and social media marketing, and other promotional or marketing initiatives.
- Capital Improvements
- Maximum funding – $5,000
- Projects eligible for funding under this category include; the renovation/construction of tourism properties owned by a municipality or non-profit, infrastructure improvements with a direct relationship to tourism, and other physical/structural items with a greater than 5 year lifespan.
- Major Capital Improvements
- Maximum funding – $25,000
- Projects eligible for funding under this category include; the renovation/construction of tourism properties owned by a municipality or non-profit, infrastructure improvements with a direct relationship to tourism, and other physical/structural items with a greater than 5 year lifespan.
Eligibility Criteria
- Under New York State Law, not all entities are eligible to receive funding from a County government. Only municipalities, nonprofit corporations and certain not-for-profit entities are eligible for funding.
- For-profit entities are no longer able to apply under fiscal sponsorship of a municipality or non-profit organization with the formal approval of such entity. Non-municipal applicants will be required to submit proof of nonprofit status in the form of an IRS determination letter or documentation of formal municipal fiscal sponsorship.
- Note: Requests made by or on behalf of for-profit ventures, request for general operating support, requests for retroactive support for expenses accrued prior to an award and requests for sectarian based projects are ineligible.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications submitted to the Tourism Advisory Board must clearly demonstrate how the project will result in an increase in the number of visitors, visitor frequency and/or visitor spending in Delaware County.
Applicants shall clearly define project goals and how the success of the project will be measured. Applicants will be required to demonstrate a minimum of 1:1 match between Local Community Tourism grant funds and other project funds, as well as the applicant’s organizational and financial capacity for completing the project. Personal labor of the applicant is not an eligible project cost and may not be used as a match to the grant.
The Tourism Advisory Board will evaluate proposals on such criteria as:
- Is the project, including goals, tasks and outcomes, clearly defined and likely to succeed?
- Does the applicant have the organizational and financial capacity to undertake and successfully complete the project?
- How likely is the project to result in increased visitors, particularly for overnight stays, and increased visitor spending?
- How significant are the potential benefits of the project, are they measurable and how will they be measured?
- Are the overall project costs and grant request justified based upon the expected benefits?
- Does the project hold the potential to draw visitors during the mid-week and/or or off-season?
- Does the project demonstrate strong partnerships, community support and collaboration with for-profit businesses?
- To what degree does the project leverage other public and/or private funds?
- Is documentation of project match provided?
- Is the budget reasonably detailed and appropriate?
- Is the project likely to be completed in a timeframe that is reasonable and appropriate?
For more information, visit DCED.
