Tourism grants in the United States are most readily found within state government agencies and cater to specific programs and campaigns that offer a chance to increase out-of-state visitors and to bring in additional revenue to the state. When researching tourist grants you should already have a detailed plan to bring in tourists and increase state and local revenue.
In the state of North Carolina, the Department of Commerce administers the Tourism Matching Funds Grant Program, a program designed to increase state and local revenue based on marketing campaigns. According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, "Any statutorily empowered tourism marketing agency or legally chartered non-profit North Carolina organization that includes tourism promotion among its major activities is eligible to apply for a grant under these programs." The grant program will match funds up to $7,500 in 2010 and will choose proposals that promise to draw tourists from as far away as 100 miles from the agency's base and show the greatest potential of enhancing state and local revenue.
www.nccommerce.com
For tourism grants within the state of Texas, you can look into the Texas Heritage Tourism Partnership Grants, sponsored by the Texas Historical Commission. Government or non-profit agencies located inside the Texas Plains, Mountain, Tropical and Pecos Trail Regions qualify for this grant. According to the Texas Historical Foundation, the Partnership Grants "are one-year grants used for heritage tourism-oriented projects such as interpretation, signage, publications and websites, curriculum development, educational programs, and workshops and training." The grants begin at $5,000 and must be matched dollar for dollar by the applicants.
Texas Historical Commission
1511 Colorado
Austin, TX 78701
512-463-6100
www.thc.state.tx.us
In 2011 the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) will fund the 2011 Advertising Grant Program designed to stimulate tourism throughout the major tourist destinations in the state. The program is divided into nine separate travel regions. The Department of Economic Development will give $25,000 to each region for online and print advertising campaigns. The campaigns will focus on the distinctive tourism strengths of each region and possible memorable experiences for individuals and families. In addition to the original $25,000 each region can generate up to $25,000 for the campaign which will then be matched, up to twice over, by the state, allowing for a total of $100,000 for each region.
www.georgia.org
