Delaware County Tourism Grant Program– Nonprofit Entities

The Local Community Tourism Grant Program in Delaware County aims to foster economic growth by funding initiatives that promote tourism. Supported by the Delaware County Occupancy Tax, the program encourages projects in areas such as arts, community celebrations, marketing, and capital improvements. Eligible applicants include municipalities and nonprofit organizations, with a focus on attracting non-county visitors. Grant awards require a competitive application process and a minimum cash match, ensuring that projects align with the county's tourism development goals.

About the Tourism Development Grant Program
The Delaware County Occupancy Tax was enacted into law by the Board of Supervisors for the purposes of creating a dedicated funding stream to promote and develop the tourism industry within Delaware County and stimulating economic growth. Funds raised through the occupancy tax are utilized to support the implementation of programs designed to promote and increase tourism in Delaware County, as well as projects relating to capital and infrastructure investments supporting the further development of this industry.
Tourism Development Goals
This program will provide funding assistance to initiatives proposed by the Tourism Promotion Agency for Delaware County that are in the furtherance of their mission to grow the economy and create jobs by increasing overnight stays, visitors, visitor frequency, and visitor spending in Delaware County, New York. Applications for funding assistance will be accepted for specific program activities that are separate and distinct from the agency’s operating budget.
Grant awards are made by the Delaware County Board of Supervisors on recommendation of the Tourism Advisory Board. Only those proposals that are both recommended by the Tourism Advisory Board and approved by the Delaware County Board of Supervisors will receive funding, regardless of the availability of funds.
The Tourism Grant Program is intended to promote and increase tourism within Delaware County, thereby stimulating economic growth. This program is funded through occupancy tax revenues.
Funding Categories:

• Events:

Maximum funding – up to $2,500Projects that support events, programs, or a series of events that seek to attract out-of-county visitors by building upon historical, musical, culinary, agricultural, recreational and/or cultural traditions of the area.Local events that do not attract out-of-county visitors are ineligible.Events must be open to the general public.
Note: Events limited to serving the local community without a strategy for growth or not seeking to attract non-county visitors will not be funded.
Promotion/Marketing:
Maximum funding – up to $5,000Projects should be designed to promote specific locales, activities or tourism areas within Delaware County that will target out-of-county visitors. Collaboration with tourism related businesses is highly encouraged.Funds requested under this category should be used to cover costs related to marketing campaigns targeting out-of-county visitors.
Capital Improvements:
Maximum funding – up to $25,000Projects eligible for funding under this category include; the renovation/construction of tourism properties owned by a municipality or non-profit, infrastructure improvements with a direct relationship to tourism, other physical/structural items with a greater than 5 years lifespan, and the creation and/or enhancement of outdoor recreation assets.

Eligibility

Municipalities, nonprofit corporations and not-for-profit entities are eligible for funding. Non-municipal applicants will be required to submit proof of nonprofit status.Applicants, that are otherwise ineligible, may apply under the fiscal sponsorship of a municipality or non-profit organization.