Iowa City Tourism Grant (ICTG) Program
Funding Amount
$30,000 (new events/initiatives); $5,000 (existing events/initiatives)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Grant Type
foundation
Overview
Iowa City Tourism Grant (ICTG) Program
Funder: Iowa City Area Sports Commission (Think Iowa City)
Overview: 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.
- 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
Eligibility
- 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
Award Amounts
- 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.)
Eligible 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
Ineligible Expenses
- Phone: 319-337-6592
- Email: Nick Pfeiffer at [email protected]
- Address: 900 1st Ave., Hayden Fry Way, Coralville, IA 52241
Contact Information
How to Apply
Application Process
Timeline:
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
- 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
Scoring Criteria (100 points total; 70+ required to be considered)
- 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)
Post-Award Requirements
Grantees must submit within 60 days of purchase/event:Note: Projects under budget or unable to produce eligible invoices/payment records will not be reimbursed fully for awarded grant.
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
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