The Indiana Dunes Tourism Grant Program funds community projects, marketing initiatives, and unique events aligning with Indiana Dunes Tourism’s mission to attract new and repeat visitors to Porter County by extending their stay through the creation and promotion of attractions, effective marketing programs, and product development initiatives.
Donor Name: Indiana Dunes Tourism
State: Indiana
County: Porter County (IN)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/01/2024
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Indiana Dunes Tourism Grant Program is funded by the Indiana Uniform Innkeeper’s Tax IC 6-9-18. As such, money may be expended only to promote and encourage conventions, visitors, and tourism within Porter County. Expenditures may include advertising, promotional activities, trade shows, special events, and recreation.
Funding Information
Indiana Dunes Tourism provides the following grants:
- Community Development Projects: Maximum request $5,000
- Marketing: Maximum request $2,500
- Events: Maximum request $2,500
Eligible Expenses
- Digital advertising targeted outside of Porter County.
- Development and printing of promotional materials such as brochures and posters to be distributed outside of Porter County.
- Traditional marketing tools targeting locations outside of Porter County.
- Development of websites
- Billboards
- Fees for entertainment (ex: live performances and speakers)
- Community development project expenses.
Eligibility Criteria
Porter County for-profit, non-profit, and government organizations, including cities and towns, are eligible. Private-sector applications will also be considered if the project or event attracts visitors outside Porter County.
The following types of projects are eligible to apply for the Indiana Dunes Tourism Grant Program. While certain projects may fit into more than one project type, multiple applications for various aspects of a project may not be eligible. Keep in mind that there is a limited amount of funding available for this program and not all requests will be funded.
- Community Development Projects
- Eligible projects include the creation or enhancement of tourism amenities, attractions, facilities, and experiences within Porter County that will attract out-of-county visitors and improve the quality of life for residents.
- Preference will be given to projects that:
- Involve multiple partnering organizations
- Supported by local residents and businesses
- Events
- Eligible events include Porter County festivals, special events, conventions, and sports tournaments that will attract attendees from outside Northwest Indiana.
- Preference will be given to events that:
- Attract a sizable number of attendees, participants, or spectators
- Last longer than one day
- Encourage overnight stays in local lodging
- Indiana Dunes Tourism does not award funding for seasonal or holiday events (e.g., the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.) celebrated by most communities.
- While businesses and organizations can continue to apply for grant funding, after three years, preference will be given to other projects. The purpose of the program is to get projects and events established so they can successfully sustain themselves in the future.
- Marketing
- The marketing of events or community development projects, as described above, is eligible if it targets audiences outside of Porter County.
For more information, visit IDT.
