2025 Tourism Grant Programs

THE APPLICATION WINDOW FOR THE 2025 TOURISM GRANT PROGRAM IS CLOSED. APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AT THIS TIME FOR 2026. STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR 2026 GUIDELINES IN THE COMING MONTHS.

1) Tourism Promotion for Nonprofit Businesses:

  • Arts & Culture:
    Maximum funding – $1,200

    • Projects must support artistic events, programs or a series of events that promote public engagement and access to the arts.
    • Must attract non-county visitors and be open to the general public.
      * Note: Artistic events/programs limited to serving the local community without a strategy for growth or not seeking to attract non-county visitors will not be funded.
  • Community Celebrations:
    Maximum funding – $1,200

    • Projects that support events, programs, or a series of events that seek to build upon historical, musical, culinary, agricultural, recreational and/or cultural traditions of the area and hold the reasonable potential to attract non-county visitors.
    • Events must be open to the general public.
      * Note: Community Celebrations limited to serving the local community without a strategy for growth or not seeking to attract non-county visitors will not be funded.
  • Promotion/Marketing:
    Maximum funding – $5,000

    • Projects should be designed to promote specific locales, activities or tourism areas within Delaware County that will target non-county visitors. Project collaboration is encouraged (i.e: Event promotes other businesses that enhances the event – lodging/restaurants/other activities).
    • Funds requested under this category should be used to cover costs related to printed materials, web site and social media marketing, and other promotional or marketing initiatives.
  • Capital Improvements:
    Maximum funding – $5,000

    • Projects eligible for funding under this category include; the renovation/construction of tourism properties owned by a municipality or non-profit, infrastructure improvements with a direct relationship to tourism, and other physical/structural items with a greater than 5 year lifespan.
  • Major Capital Improvements:
    Maximum funding – $25,000
  • Requires submission of “Major Capital Improvement” Tourism Application.
  • Projects eligible for funding under this category include; the renovation/construction of tourism properties owned by a municipality or non-profit, infrastructure improvements with a direct relationship to tourism, and other physical/structural items with a greater than 5 year lifespan.
    * Note: This grant category will be reserved for one or two large scale capital improvement projects. Applications will be reviewed thoroughly and additional documentation will be required.

2) Tourism Business Development for For-Profit Businesses:

  • Code Compliance Assistance
    Maximum funding – $1,000

    • Projects that help support full time lodging facilities to meet all necessary code requirements, i.e. Building safety, fire codes, water supply, sewage collection and treatment, etc.
  • Business Cooperative Promotion/Marketing
    Maximum funding – $2,500

    • Projects that support tourism related businesses that partner on marketing initiatives and/or promotions targeted to non-county visitors. This means 2 or more businesses actively working together on a marketing initiative designed to attract visitors to the County. Examples of eligible projects to include joint promotions between dining and lodging establishments, special events for festivals, cultural events. Eligible businesses to include lodging, attractions, events, venues, restaurants and entertainment.
    • Events must be open to the general public.
  • Lodging Business Capital Improvement:
    Maximum funding – $10,000

    • Projects that improve/upgrade lodging facilities and enhance visitor experience – priority being given to projects that add new rooms. The primary function of the property must be as a lodging facility, not residence or other business. Must be an existing lodging facility (in operation for at least 3 years), registered for the occupancy tax, current on fire inspections, properly insured, meet any other requirements of a lodging facility and be classified as commercial property. Copies of these documents will be required.

THE APPLICATION WINDOW FOR THE 2025 TOURISM GRANT PROGRAM IS CLOSED.