Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) Grant Program: Sales Promotions

The Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) Grant Program supports Wisconsin nonprofit organizations by funding promotional activities that boost tourism. Grants cover eligible expenses for sales promotions that entice visitors through significant incentives over a limited timeframe. Applications must demonstrate potential economic impact and include participating businesses. The maximum award is $39,550, with reimbursements based on project costs. This initiative aims to enhance local economies while promoting Wisconsin as a premier travel destination.

NOTE: Applications must be submitted at least 90 days prior to the first day of expenditures using the grant funds; for example, if your first JEM funded expenditure is November 1, your application must be submitted by August 1.
The Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) grant program funds promotions or events. The grant reimburses Wisconsin nonprofit organizations for eligible promotional expenses. The JEM grant has different categories to fit an organization’s needs.
This grant is for a promotion that offers significant incentives for a limited period of time (usually 6-8 weeks) to persuade a targeted market to visit the area.Applications should include a list of participating businesses and the proposed incentives.

Eligibility

To be funded, projects must show that they will generate an increase in visitors and make a positive economic impact in the local area.Projects should also be able to show impact of additional leverage such as earned media, job creation, sponsorships, etc.Sales Promotions:Must offer significant incentives for a limited period of time (usually 6-8 weeks)Applications should include a list of participating businesses and the proposed incentivesShould be during “off-season”Subsequent year request should include references to previous yearExamples of eligible JEM promotional expenses include:e-mail marketing campaigns,
direct mail,
PR/media kits,influencer marketing,and billboards.The maximum award is $39,550 and two consecutive years of funding are available.Year 2 and year 3 applications will not be reviewed before previous years evaluation has been submitted.
The Department can reimburse up to 75 percent of a project’s first year eligible promotional costs (but no more than 50% of the total budget) and 50% in year two.Reimbursement will be made based on submittal of receipted vouchers of promotional expenses and matching funds.
Final 10% of award dollars will not be released until final evaluation has been submitted.
The promotional plan must be consistent with the current statewide marketing plan and target markets beyond the local area.
We encourage projects that are creative and beyond the scope of what are normally offered by the organization.
Advertising produced using JEM funding must acknowledge the financial support of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.
This is most often accomplished by including the Travel Wisconsin logo on print/electronic marketing.

Ineligibility

Examples of expenses JEM will not reimburse:

• operational costs (staff salaries, travel costs, facility rental, insurance, etc.),
• local advertising,
• posters and
• flyers that are not direct-mailed or street banners.