Hamilton County Tourism Inc
Hamilton County Tourism Inc is a public charity based in Carmel, Indiana. It promotes and encourages tourism and development in Hamilton County, and supports community development, advertising and promotion of the county.
Hamilton County Tourism Inc at a glance
In short: Hamilton County Tourism Inc gave $1.0M across 16 grants in 2024 (avg $63K), mostly in Indiana. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,013,000
- -32.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 16
- +33.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $63,313
- -49.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $5,605,797
- +0.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Indiana (88% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Hamilton County Tourism Inc
- How to Apply
-
The available program information describes the Tourism Gives program and BEST Investment Fund, but does not specify an application process or required materials.
- Next open deadline
- March 14, 2027 (Tourism Gives Grant Program)
- Contact
Mailing address: 37 East Main Street, Carmel, IN 46032
Phone: (317) 848-3181
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Hamilton County Tourism Inc
BEST Investment Fund (Business of Entertainment, Sport and Tourism)
Hamilton County Tourism Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Tourism Gives Grant Program
Hamilton County Tourism Inc
Amount
$122,000 (2025 cycle)
Deadline
Expected ~March
Based on past cycles
Who Hamilton County Tourism Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was City of Westfield ($448K). Together the top 10 received $961K.
Grant Size Distribution
44 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 44 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization promotes tourism and development in Hamilton County, Indiana. Its 2024 filing shows that 88% of grant dollars went to recipients in Indiana; the filing’s remaining 12% is listed with an unspecified state.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
Cities
How Hamilton County Tourism Inc gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $330K (2021) to $1.5M (2023). In 2024 it made 16 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| City of Westfield Westfield, IN | Grand Park Capital Improvements | $448,000 |
| Friends of Hamilton County Parks Carmel, IN | Operating Supportoperating Support | $150,000 |
| Conner Prairie Museum Inc Fishers, IN | Operating Supportoperating Support | $132,500 |
| Hamilton County Economic Development Corporation Carmel, IN | Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Nickel Plate Rail Road | Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Hamilton County Parks and Recreation | Operating Support | $35,000 |
| Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc Carmel, IN | Operating Support | $15,000 |
| Carmel Dad's Club Carmel, IN | Operating Support | $10,000 |
| Hamilton County Community Tenis Association | Operating Support | $10,000 |
| Noblesville Youth Sports Noblesville, IN | Operating Support | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,605,797 | $8,719,122 | $8,788,722 | $1,013,000 | 16 | $127,042 |
| 2023 | $5,553,480 | $8,188,898 | $8,304,538 | $1,507,250 | 12 | $41,858 |
| 2022 | $5,681,053 | $8,453,088 | $5,839,194 | $527,040 | 9 | $1,259 |
| 2021 | $3,080,207 | $4,425,830 | $4,221,861 | $329,888 | 4 | $-7,158 |
| 2020 | $2,631,572 | $4,030,602 | $3,691,013 | $363,350 | 3 | $-2,384 |
| 2019 | $2,359,394 | $5,663,114 | $5,433,071 | $749,242 | 10 | $104 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to promote and encourage visitors to Hamilton County, Indiana. Its 2024 filing describes its program activities as community development and advertising and promotion of the county.
Hamilton County Tourism’s Tourism Gives program supports tourism-focused nonprofits, art districts, events and festivals based in the county. Its 2024 and 2025 program announcements say grants are centered on planet, prosperity, people or place. The organization’s website also describes investments in environmental stewardship, equitable economic inclusion, diverse voices and cultures, and community placemaking.
Examples from 2024 grants illustrate the range of supported work. Friends of Hamilton County Parks says its mission is to benefit and maintain county parks and green spaces; Conner Prairie Museum says it inspires curiosity and learning through experiences; and Carmel Christkindlmarkt says it presents educational and cultural activities related to Germanic culture, including an annual festival.
Grantmaking
The 2024 IRS filing lists 16 grants totaling $1,013,000. The grants ranged from $6,000 to $448,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest listed awards were $448,000 to the City of Westfield for Grand Park capital improvements, $150,000 to Friends of Hamilton County Parks for operating support, $132,500 to Conner Prairie Museum for operating support, and $100,000 to Hamilton County Economic Development Corporation for operating support.
The filing also lists $50,000 to Nickel Plate Rail Road, $35,000 to Hamilton County Parks and Recreation, and $15,000 to Carmel Christkindlmarkt. These are filing-listed grants and are distinct from the Tourism Gives program totals reported on the organization’s website. The 2024 Tourism Gives announcement said more than 30 county nonprofits would share $95,000. The 2025 announcement reported more than 40 organizations receiving a total of $122,000; that was a past grant cycle.
The BEST Investment Fund was established in 2024, with inaugural awards made in May 2025. The fund supports tourism-related capital projects, including attractions, museum experiences, event venues, and recreation or entertainment infrastructure. Its 2025 inaugural awards supported Conner Prairie’s museum experience center, Koteewi Run tubing hill expansion, Fishers Event Center, and Arena at Innovation Mile. The 2025 awards are past awards; the program information describes the fund as currently open.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Scott Spillman as chairman, Vincent Dora as vice chair, and Norman Burns as immediate past chair. Directors listed on the filing are Jeffery Brown, Bob DuBois, Kayla Arnold, Mark Truett, Jimia Smith, Chris Stice, and Andrew Newport.
Hamilton County Tourism Inc is led by Brenda Myers, Former CEO & President since 2024 (on filings since 2019); 2 of 15 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Brenda Myers
Former CEO & President
CEO & President → Former CEO & President, 2024
On filings since 2019
60 hrs/week
$136K (2019) → $116K (2024)
Scott Spillman
Chairman
Director → Secretary & Treasurer, 2022
Secretary & Treasurer → Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Newport
Director
Director at Large → Director, 2020
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bob Dubois
Director
Chairman → Chairman & President, 2022
Chairman & President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffery Brown
Director
Vice Chairman → Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jimia Smith
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Truett
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Stice
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kayla Arnold
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adam Hoffman
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Balcom
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Miller
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Radcliff
Chief Strategy Officer
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$116K (2019) → $151K (2024)
Norman Burns
Immediate Past Chair
Secretary & Treasurer → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → Immediate Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vincent Dora
Vice Chair
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Kelly Sujka (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Vince Dora (2023) — Director
- Former: Toby Miles (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Charles Trice (2022) — Director
- Former: Angie Frazier (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Gary Miller (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Jackie Dikos (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Robin Turner (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: John Hughey (2019–2020) — Past President
- Former: Jeremy Geisendorff (2019) — Director at Large
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $151K, to Karen Radcliff (Chief Strategy Officer). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Hamilton County Tourism Inc
How much does Hamilton County Tourism Inc give each year?
Hamilton County Tourism Inc gave $1.0M across 16 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.5M across 12 grants.
What is Hamilton County Tourism Inc's typical grant size?
Hamilton County Tourism Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $63,313, across 16 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Hamilton County Tourism Inc give grants?
Hamilton County Tourism Inc gives mostly in Indiana: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Carmel, IN (5 grants), Fishers, IN (2 grants) and Noblesville, IN (2 grants).
Does Hamilton County Tourism Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 94% of Hamilton County Tourism Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (15 of 16) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are Hamilton County Tourism Inc's largest grantees?
Hamilton County Tourism Inc's largest 2024 grantees include City of Westfield ($448,000), Friends of Hamilton County Parks ($150,000) and Conner Prairie Museum Inc ($132,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 72% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Hamilton County Tourism Inc?
Hamilton County Tourism Inc reported $5.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.7M.
What does Hamilton County Tourism Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to promote and encourage visitors to Hamilton County, Indiana. Its 2024 filing describes its program activities as community development and advertising and promotion of the county. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Hamilton County Tourism Inc?
The available program information describes the Tourism Gives program and BEST Investment Fund, but does not specify an application process or required materials. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Hamilton County Tourism Inc's EIN?
Hamilton County Tourism Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-1803805. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 13, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 31, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Hamilton County Tourism Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/hamilton-county-tourism-inc-morg_00523b63fe184606bb1589b44b480b2c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_351803805_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Hamilton County Tourism Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/hamilton-county-tourism-inc-morg_00523b63fe184606bb1589b44b480b2c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Hamilton County Tourism Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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