The Destination Door County has launched the Community Investment Fund which will use dollars generated by visitors to improve the quality of life for those who live and work in Door County.
Donor Name: Door County Community Foundation
State: Wisconsin
County: Door County (WI)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/22/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Central to the work of Destination Door County is an effort to ensure that every visitor has an enjoyable experience. While Door County is a naturally welcoming community, DDC’s primary reason for ensuring visitors enjoy their experience in Door County is because it benefits residents. When people visit Door County, they spend money here – creating jobs for our families, generating incremental tax dollars, providing us economic opportunities, and supporting the amenities that enhance the quality of life for those of us lucky enough to call Door County home. We use tourism to build a better life for the residents of Door County.
The specific priorities of the Community Investment Fund are
- Creative ideas that have a meaningful impact on the people who live and work in Door County
- Impact crosses municipal boundaries
- Encourages collaboration
- Leverages additional resources
- Residents experience the positive impact of tourism
The more of these priorities that are addressed by an application, the more likely it is that a project will receive a grant.
Types of Projects
To help you understand how to meet statutory requirements, projects appropriate for funding from the Community Investment Fund usually fall into at least one of the three categories defined below.
- Tangible Development
- The most common type of application that will meet statutory requirements are tangible developments that improve the likelihood that tourists will visit a municipality in Door County. These include capital construction projects as well as upgrades and expansions of existing facilities. The installation of permanent exhibits will often qualify, as might customer-facing items and equipment that improve their experience. Appropriate “tangible” projects will result in something that has a definable physical form which are long-term, reusable, or permanent in nature.
- Exceptional Events
- These kinds of projects are more challenging to qualify under state statutes but might still be appropriate under certain circumstances. The most common examples are activities, programs, or events that will be marketed broadly and have significant appeal beyond the normal audience or customers served by the applicant.
- Public Information
- Projects of this type often involve the conveying of information to the public. Wayfinding or interpretive signage is acceptable. Supporting the salaries of nature guides or gallery docents may be appropriate in certain circumstances. If your activities provide useful information that is relevant to those visiting Door County, the operating costs associated with those activities may qualify.
Funding Information
The program anticipates an average grant award of $100,000.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualified applicants include 501(c)(3) public charities, 501(c)(6) organizations, and local units of government.
For more information, visit Door County Community Foundation.
