How Do I?                 Tompkins A-Z     

Grants Available

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.

Upcoming Grant Applicant Workshops

  • Tourism Project Grant, Tourism Marketing Grant, and Community Celebrations Grant:

Upcoming 2022 Grant Cycles

We are excited to announce that several Tompkins County Tourism Program grant programs will be coming back online in 2022. These include our Tourism Project, Marketing, and Capital Grants.

Detailed information on specific grant programs is provided 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 2022 ACOD grant cycle is under way. An evaluation committee is currently reviewing applications.

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: director@artspartner.org.

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 expand contemporary culture in ways that are informative, educational, and just plain fun.

Applications for the Spring 2022 round of this grant program will open January 2, 2022. Please see the grant guidelines below for detailed information about eligibility, award ranges, and the evaluation process. Applications are due on February 23, 2022.

The County Historian provides guidance on this grant program. 

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.

Applications for this grant program will open January 2, 2022. Please see the grant guidelines below for detailed information about eligibility, award ranges, and the evaluation process.

This program uses a two-step application process. The first application deadline is January 31, 2022. Eligible organizations will be invited to submit a detailed second application with a deadline of March 14, 2022.

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 below for detailed information about eligibility, award ranges, and the evaluation process.

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 by emailing tourism@tompkins-co.org.

While this program is currently not accepting applications, the next round of Tourism Capital grants will be held in the fall of 2022.

Tourism Marketing Grant

Tourism Marketing Grants fund marketing and advertising campaigns that attract visitors from outside Tompkins County.

Applications for the Spring 2022 round of this grant program will open January 2, 2022. Please see the grant guidelines below for detailed information about eligibility, award ranges, and the evaluation process. Applications are due on February 23, 2022.

Tourism Project Grant

Tourism Project grants fund efforts that draw visitors to Tompkins County for overnight stays or accomplish other actions listed in the Strategic Tourism Plan [PDF].

Applications for the Spring 2022 round of this grant program will open on January 2, 2022. Please see the grant guidelines below for detailed information about eligibility, award ranges, and the evaluation process. Applications are due on February 23, 2022.

Strategic Tourism Implementation Grant

The Strategic Tourism Implementation Grant supports 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.

This grant program is currently not accepting applications.