2026 Butler County Tourism Foundation Grant

Purpose: Enhance the tourism experience by supporting development through historic preservation and education projects.

Geographic Scope: Butler County, Pennsylvania

Mission

Serve the tourism industry through promotion and historic preservation in Butler County, PA, by educating and engaging partners and the public and supporting community development through historic preservation, community education, professional development, and activity coordination.

Funding Details

• Total Available: $10,000 in grant monies for 2025-26
• Maximum per Project: $2,000
• Minimum per Project: $500
• Award Basis: Merit-based, determined by BCTF Grant Review Committee, administered by Board of Directors and President of EBC
• Award Timeline: Winners announced at annual Toast to Tourism Event (May 6, 2026)
• Project Timeline: July 1, 2026 - June 15, 2027

Program Focus

Grants specifically for projects enhancing tourism experience through:

• Preservation: Scheduled improvements benefiting tourism and augmenting visitor experience by preserving or enhancing existing tourist attractions or amenities
• Education: Projects providing visitors with education or training enhancing knowledge on tourism-related sites and historical content

Eligibility

• Partners Only: Current EBC partners only
• No Membership Lapses: Partners with lapses in membership dues are ineligible
• Organization Type: Both for-profit and nonprofit businesses eligible
• Multiple Applications: An organization may only apply for one individual grant per year, per grant program
• Partner Role: An organization may be listed as a partner on one other application per year
• Repeat Applicants: Winners may reapply every year, but new projects receive priority consideration
• Dual Application: Partners may apply to both EBC Partner Grant and BCTF Grant, but cannot apply to both for the same project

Funding Requirements

• Local Match: Minimum 25% cash or in-kind local match required (PA Act 18 compliance)
• Compliance: Must be directly and substantially related to tourism; must augment and not compete with private sector efforts; must improve and expand the county as a destination market

Eligible Project Categories

1. Preservation Projects: Scheduled improvements benefiting tourism and visitor experience by preserving or enhancing existing tourist attractions or amenities
   • Note: Capital projects related to restoring, replacing, or repairing physical attributes deemed "normal cost of doing business" will not be funded
2. Educational Projects: Those providing visitors with education or training enhancing knowledge on tourism-related sites and historical content

Logo Requirements

• All projects must carry current BCTF logo
• Logo supplied upon request from EBC office

What Will NOT Be Funded

• Standard operational expenses (payroll, utilities)
• Religious or political purposes
• Websites
• Advertisements in local publications or programs
• Projects deemed normal cost of doing business

Priority Criteria

Higher priority given to applications that:

• Assist in preserving a physical landmark or feature pertinent to Butler County History
• Show significant educational value of a tourism site
• Include collaboration with additional members
• Enhance the visitor experience
• Promote collaboration among lodging and activities

Application & Award Process

• Applicants must present project to committee (maximum 5 minutes)
• Presentations can be in-person or pre-approved Zoom call
• All funds awarded at completion of project
• Recipients must submit final report prior to June 15, 2027
• Final report must include: summary, photos, receipts, proof of 25% match
• Committee may withhold funds if insufficient qualified applications submitted

Relationship to Other Grants

• Works independently but alongside current Experience Butler County Grant Program
• Partners can apply for both grant programs
• No funds awarded from both programs for the same project
• Cannot apply to both for the same project

Historical Context

2024 Butler County Tourism Foundation Grant Recipients included:

• Butler Township/Preston Park
• Butler County Chamber of Commerce
• Clinton Township Historical Committee
• Washington's Trail 1753
• The Shops on West Diamond/Appalachian Rock Shop
• And others focused on historical preservation and education

Application Process

1. Timing:
   • October 30, 2025: Online applications become available (partners-only section of EBC website)
   • March 13, 2026: Application deadline
   • May 6, 2026: Winners announced at Toast to Tourism Event (attendance required to receive funds)
2. Required Materials:
   • Complete online application form
   • Description of preservation or education project
   • Explanation of how project enhances tourism experience
   • Evidence of 25% local cash or in-kind match
   • Narrative describing project details
   • For repeat projects: concrete evidence of success (measurable data)
3. Application Features:
   • Online submission through partners-only section of EBC website
   • Option to save submission and return later
   • All required fields must be completed
4. After Award:
   • Project completion deadline: June 15, 2027
   • Final report submission required for reimbursement (prior to June 15, 2027)
   • Final report format provided to recipients
   • Final report includes: summary, photos, receipts, proof of 25% match
5. Committee Review:
   • Application reviewed by BCTF Grant Review Committee
   • Applicant presentation required (5 minutes maximum)
   • Presentations in-person or by pre-approved Zoom
   • Committee may withhold funds if insufficient qualified applications submitted

Contact

• Rick Yarosz: Rick@ExperienceButler.com or 724-234-4619
• Full guidelines available on EBC website