The Richland County is seeking applications for its Accommodations Tax Grants to provide financial support to fund tourism and tourism-related projects that occur in Richland County.
Donor Name: Richland County
State: South Carolina
County: Richland County (SC)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/04/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
These events should promote overnight accommodations in unincorporated areas of Richland County.
A-Tax Grants are funded through the collection of Accommodations Taxes. By act of the SC General Assembly, a two percent (2%) tax is levied in South Carolina on the rental of all transient accommodations. The proceeds from this tax are utilized by municipalities and counties in the State to promote tourism and tourism-related activities.
Funding Information
The funds received by a municipality or county must be allocated as follows:
- The first $25,000 to the General Operating Fund.
- The balance remaining, after deduction of the $25,000, must be allocated as follows:
- 5% of balance to General Operating Fund o 30% of balance to special fund for advertising and promotion of tourism o 65% of balance, plus interest, to a fund for tourism-related expenditures as described above
Grant Period
July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Project Eligibility
As required by State Statute and by the guidelines established herein, organizations and/or projects to be funded by A-Tax Funds must have as their primary mission the attraction of tourists to Richland County. Each funding proposal will be reviewed individually to determine the potential impact it will have on the County’s tourism efforts.
Priority will be given to organizations and/or projects that have the following characteristics:
- will generate overnight stay(s) in Richland County’s lodging facilities;
- will promote and highlight Richland County’s historic and cultural venues; recreational facilities and events; and the uniqueness and flavor of the local community.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicant organizations must have been in existence for at least one (1) year prior to requesting funds.
- Applicants must provide proof of their non-profit status and fall into one of the following categories:
- Organizations exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and whose primary goal is to attract additional visitors through tourism promotion. The letter of exemption from the Internal Revenue Service must accompany your proposal.
- Destination Marketing Organizations, which are recognized non-profit organizations charged with the responsibility of marketing tourism for their specific municipalities, counties or regions, such as Chambers of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureaus and Regional Tourism Commissions
- Richland County will not award A-Tax Funds to individuals, fraternal organizations or organizations that support and/or endorse political campaigns.
- Religious organizations may receive funding; however, Richland County may notsponsor nor provide financial support to a religious organization in a manner which would actively involve it in a religious activity (i.e. public funds must not be used for a religious purpose). Thus, any funds provided must be solely utilized for secular purposes and the principal or primary goal of the sponsored activity must not be to advance religion.
- Grantee organizations may not re-grant County funds to other organizations. All funds must be spent on direct program expenditures by organization that is granted the allocation.
For more information, visit Richland County.
