The Tompkins County Tourism Program offers a variety of grant programs. All tourism grants are funded from the Hotel Room Occupancy Tax. The Strategic Tourism Planning Board advises the Tompkins County Legislature on all tourism grant programs and awards.
All grant applications must be submitted online through Common Grant Application. Please watch this brief video to learn about Common Grant Application.
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Interested in applying for funding for an upcoming event or project? Check the resources below for guidance.
- Download the Spring 2023 grant workshop presentation [PDF]
- Watch the Aug. 2, 2022 grant workshop recording to learn more about our programs and the application process.
- Make an appointment for a virtual meeting to discuss your grant application.
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Detailed information on specific grant programs is below:
Arts & Culture Organization Development Grant
Funding provided through the Arts & Culture Organization Development (ACOD) grant supports organizations that enhance Tompkins County's brand as an artistic and cultural destination. Eligible organizations include public museums and performing / visual arts organizations in Tompkins County.
The 2023 ACOD grant cycle is closed. Current-year awards were announced in March.
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Learn about the 2023 ACOD grant recipients. [PDF]
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Review the grant guidelines. [PDF]
The Community Arts Partnership (CAP) assists with the administration of this grant program. All parties interested in this grant are strongly encouraged to reach out to CAP at their earliest convenience.
ACOD Stabilization & Recovery Fund
Current ACOD grant recipients can apply for supplemental funding. On May 2, 2023, the County Legislature approved a budget adjustment to support the ACOD Stabilization and Recovery Fund (SRF).
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Learn about the 2023 ACOD-SRF grant recipients. [PDF]
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Review the grant guidelines. [PDF]
This grant cycle is closed. Awards were announced in mid-July.
Community Celebrations Grant
Community Celebrations grants support local events that convey the unique culture and history of Tompkins County. Their mission is to enhance quality of life for residents, improve understanding of local culture, and foster community identity and involvement in ways that are informative, educational, and just plain fun. The County Historian provides guidance on this grant program.
The spring 2024 Community Celebrations grant cycle is open and accepting applications through Feb. 29, 2024 at 11:59pm ET. Grant awards will be announced in April.
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Apply for a Community Celebrations grant through Common Grant Application.
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Preview a sample application [PDF]
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Download the budget template [Excel]
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Download the grant guidelines. [PDF]
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Learn about the fall 2023 Community Celebrations grant recipients. [PDF]
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Download the spring 2023 grant workshop presentation. [PDF]
Tompkins Outdoors Grant
The Tompkins Outdoors grant is intended to increase the capacity of organizations that enhance the county's profile as a leading destination for outdoor recreation. All applicants must either be responsible for stewardship of an outdoor recreation asset in Tompkins County or offer outdoor recreation programming in the county. Please see the grant guidelines below for detailed information about eligibility, award ranges, and the evaluation process.
The 2024 Tompkins Outdoors grant cycle is open. Applicants are required to submit an eligibility questionnaire for this program by Jan. 26, 2024. Eligible organizations will be invited to submit a full application due on Feb. 29, 2024 at 11:59pm ET.
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Learn about the six local organizations that received funding in the 2023 grant cycle.
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Download the grant guidelines. [PDF]
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Download the 2022 Tompkins Outdoors Grant workshop presentation. [PDF]
Tourism Advancement Grant
Tourism Advancement grants fund projects and marketing campaigns that attract visitors to Tompkins County for overnight stays.
The Tourism Advancement grant combines and replaces the Tourism Project and Tourism Marketing grants offered prior to 2023. This grant can fund product development and marketing expenses. Please see the grant guidelines below for detailed information about eligibility, award ranges and the evaluation process.
The spring 2024 Tourism Advancement grant cycle is open and accepting applications through Feb. 29, 2024 at 11:59pm ET. Grant awards will be announced in April.
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Apply for a Tourism Advancement grant through Common Grant Application.
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Preview a sample application [PDF]
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Download the budget template. [Excel]
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Download the grant guidelines [PDF]
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Learn about the fall 2023 Tourism Advancement grant recipients [PDF]
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Download the spring 2023 Grant Workshop Presentation. [PDF]
Tourism Capital Grant
Tourism Capital grants support major investments in visitor-generating projects such as theaters, museums, and other major cultural and recreational attractions. The funds can be used for design, renovation, and new building projects; investments in unique permanent installations such as exhibits; and feasibility studies of potential capital projects.
Please see the grant guidelines for detailed information about eligibility, award ranges, and the evaluation process.
The 2023 Tourism Capital grant cycle is closed. Awards were announced in October.
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Apply for a Tourism Capital grant through Common Grant Application.
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Download the grant guidelines. [PDF]
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Learn about the 2023 Tourism Capital Grant awards [PDF]
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Learn about the 2022 Tourism Capital Grant awards.
Ithaca Area Economic Development assists with the administration of this grant program. All parties interested in this grant are strongly encouraged to schedule a pre-application meeting.
Strategic Tourism Implementation Grant
Strategic Tourism Implementation (STI) grants support projects that substantially advance actions identified in the Strategic Tourism Plan. This funding opportunity is intended to be flexible in terms of the types of proposals that will be considered which may include local tourism program and industry research priorities. Please see the grant guidelines below for detailed information about eligibility, award ranges, and the evaluation process.
- Download the grant guidelines. [PDF]
- Apply for an STI grant through Common Grant Application.
The 2023 grant cycle is closed. Awards will be announced in January 2024.