The Destination Forward Grant Program supports the development and implementation of tourism infrastructure projects throughout New Mexico.
Donor Name: New Mexico Tourism Department
State: New Mexico
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/14/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Destination Forward Grant (DFG) is a competitive grant that supports the long-term destination development and rejuvenation of community-based, sustainable tourism infrastructure projects across New Mexico.
Project Goals and Objectives
- Increase visitation
- Improve or enhance the visitor and resident experience
- Spur economic growth and capacity opportunities for residents
- Increase national and global recognition of New Mexico as a sustainable tourism destination
- Increase positive impacts on the local environment while decreasing negative impacts.
Project Types
- Development of outdoor recreation infrastructure
- Recreational improvements
- Signage and wayfinding that align with community branding and marketing
- Tourism related parking and transportation
- Tourism attraction facilities
- Dark skies viewing area
- Re-development of historic assets
- Rehabilitation, maintenance, and conservation of cultural sites/indigenous sites/archeological sites
- Bike, pedestrian, and equestrian transportation and other related developments
- Camping and RV related accommodations
- Beautification and conservation for tourism purposes
- Fairgrounds, convention center/facilities, performance venues, and other event spaces
- Public art on tourism infrastructure
- Agritourism farms, food trails or other related facilities
- Innovative redevelopments leveraging technology to showcase authentic New Mexican culture and nature if applicable
- Visitor information centers and their improvements.
Funding Information
The new tiers for applications are as follows:
- Tier I: Ready Projects – up to $50,000 (requires no match)
- Tier II: Growth Projects – $50,000 to $250,000
- Tier III: Signature Projects – $250,000+
Eligibility Criteria
- Local governments including Special Districts and Political Subdivisions
- Tribal governments
- Municipalities
- Private applicants are generally not eligible unless proof of the project’s public benefit is demonstrated and the applicant partners with a public fiscal agent.
For more information, visit NMTD.
