Iowa City Tourism Grant (ICTG) Program

The Iowa City Tourism Grant (ICTG) Program promotes tourism in Iowa City by funding tourism-related marketing initiatives, events and meetings that benefit the local economy.

Geographic Scope: City of Iowa City (event/programming must take place within city limits)

Application Availability: Applications available until 2026 or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first

Funding Deadline: All funds must be spent by December 31, 2026

Reimbursement: Reimburses up to 50 percent of qualified eligible expenses. Some eligible qualified expenses may be reimbursed prior to the event/program completion.

Eligibility

• Nonprofits or for-profit entities
• Multiple applications allowed during life of program
• Same project cannot receive funding multiple times
• Applicant need not reside in Iowa City, but event/programming must take place in Iowa City

Award Amounts

• New events or initiatives: Up to $30,000
• Existing events or initiatives: Up to $5,000
• Minimum: No minimum
• All funds requested must be whole numbers in increments of $100

Eligible Expenses

• Costs associated with executing marketing tactics and strategies (planning, design, production of advertising, print materials, digital tools, media purchasing)
• Venue rental and equipment rental
• Equipment purchases for tourism-related events
• Performance fees, vendor fees, bid fees
• Equipment that contributes to event experience (signage, sandwich boards, tents, etc.)

Ineligible Expenses

• Expenses that do not directly relate to the project
• Staff salaries and wages
• Postage
• Office supplies and equipment (computers, office furniture, printer paper)
• Travel, meal and lodging costs of staff and contractors
• Alcoholic beverages
• Solicitation efforts
• Lobbying fees
• Projects receiving funding from other Think Iowa City or Iowa City Area Sports Commission programs during concurrent fiscal year
• Prizes for participants or attendees

Contact Information

• Phone: 319-337-6592
• Email: Nick Pfeiffer at [email protected]
• Address: 900 1st Ave., Hayden Fry Way, Coralville, IA 52241

Application Process

Timeline:

• Applications opened: September 9, 2022
• Accepted on rolling basis and reviewed monthly by grant review committee
• Applications available until 2026 or until funds exhausted
• All funds must be spent by December 31, 2026

Required Application Components:

1. Applicant name, address, email, phone number, contact person
2. Federal identification number
3. Description of how application supports tourism in Iowa City
4. Selection of primary project focus:
   • New Event Marketing/Promotion
   • Existing Event Marketing/Promotion
   • New Event Infrastructure
   • Existing Event Infrastructure
   • Both Marketing and Infrastructure
   • Non-Event Based Project
5. Documentation that grant request is consistent with project implementation costs, including:
   • Vendor quotes
   • Bids
   • Performer fees
   • Advertising rate sheets
   • Invoices (must total at least grant amount request plus cash match)
6. Written documentation of 50% cash match (amount and source)
7. Completed Minority Impact Statement Form
8. W9 Form

Scoring Criteria (100 points total; 70+ required to be considered)

• Project Information (20 points): Explain project, timeline, how funds will be used, positive reflection on Iowa City
• Economic Impact and Ability to Promote Tourism Industry Growth (20 points): Use numbers (economic impact, ROI, attendance, households/people reached). Out-of-town attendees, hotel room nights, and dates lacking other programming highly valued
• Innovation (15 points): Describe innovative qualities; for existing programs, explain how proposal enhances current initiative
• Need (10 points): Explain need for funds, other funding sources pursued, project sustainability without award
• Sustainability (10 points): Plans to continue/sustain project post-grant, success measurement, benefit utilization for future marketing
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (10 points): Positive impact/advancement of DEI initiatives, diverse voices/perspectives, Certified Diverse Supplier or MBEWBE status
• Budget (10 points): Relevant to project, clear documentation of planned expenses
• Collaboration (5 points): Multiple entities investing in project

Post-Award Requirements

Grantees must submit within 60 days of purchase/event:

• Invoices for eligible project expenses
• Proof of payments totaling at least grant award amount plus 50% minimum cash match
• Tourism economic impact report (within 60 days following event/program)

Note: Projects under budget or unable to produce eligible invoices/payment records will not be reimbursed fully for awarded grant.