BEST Investment Fund (Business of Entertainment, Sport and Tourism)

Q: How much funding does BEST Investment Fund (Business of Entertainment, Sport and Tourism) provide?

The listing does not state a funding amount. Check the funder's announcement for specifics.

Q: When is the deadline for BEST Investment Fund (Business of Entertainment, Sport and Tourism)?

The funder has not published a deadline for this grant.

Hamilton County Tourism Inc

Foundation Grants for Nonprofits Grants for Capital Funding Community Development Grants

Funding Amount

Not stated

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Other requirements

Tourism capital improvement projects
Major attractions and facilities
Museum experiences and exhibits
Event venues

Overview

BEST Investment Fund

Program Status: Established 2024; inaugural awards made May 2025

Geographic Scope: Hamilton County, Indiana

Funding Source: Tourism capital improvement fund

Created through Indiana Code 6-9-56, adopted during 2023 Indiana General Assembly
Funded by 3% of innkeepers tax on rentals under 30 days (effective January 1, 2024)
Collected locally by Hamilton County Treasurer's Office

Program Purpose:

Support transformative, tourism-related capital projects
Generate new visitation to Hamilton County
Foster business growth and economic development
Enhance community vitality
Keep Hamilton County competitive in tourism development
Promote long-term tourism and economic development related to recreation

Eligible Projects:

Tourism capital improvement projects
Major attractions and facilities
Museum experiences and exhibits
Event venues
Recreation and entertainment infrastructure

2025 Inaugural Award Recipients:

Conner Prairie Museum Experience Center - Funding for museum renovation and installation of The Curious Life permanent exhibit (only one in the Midwest)
Koteewi Run Tubing Hill Expansion - Funds for improved snow-making equipment and people-mover system
Fishers Event Center - Support for new event center (opened November 2024)
Arena at Innovation Mile - Support for new event center in Noblesville (opened Summer 2025)

Contact Information:

Karen Radcliff, President & Chief Executive Officer
Hamilton County Tourism Inc.
37 E. Main St., Carmel, IN 46032
Phone: 317-848-3181
Email: info@hamiltoncountytourism.com

Related Documents:

Hamilton County Commissioners Ordinance No 09-21-23-B
Hamilton County 2023 Revised Tax Ordinance
Indiana Code Chapter 56: Hamilton County Innkeepers Tax

How to Apply

Application Process

Detailed application procedures are not provided in available website content. Applicants should contact:

Karen Radcliff
President & Chief Executive Officer
Hamilton County Tourism Inc.
Email: info@hamiltoncountytourism.com
Phone: 317-848-3181
37 E. Main St., Carmel, IN 46032

Application Overview:

Projects undergo thorough assessment by BEST Review Committee
Applications are reviewed and voted on by Hamilton County Tourism Commission
Program appears to operate on a project-by-project basis rather than fixed deadlines

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What Hamilton County Tourism Inc actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2024

Grants in 2024: 16
Total given: $1.01M
Median grant: $10K
Range: $6,000–$448K

By dollars: Indiana 88%. Top recipient cities: Carmel, IN; Fishers, IN; Noblesville, IN.
94% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

Example grants

City of Westfield · Westfield, IN

Grand park capital improvements

$448K
Friends of Hamilton County Parks · Carmel, IN

Operating supportoperating support

$150K
Conner Prairie Museum Inc · Fishers, IN

Operating supportoperating support

$133K
Hamilton County Economic Development Corporation · Carmel, IN

Operating support

$100K
Nickel Plate Rail Road

Operating support

$50K