Sunshine Matters

I am pleased to announce that VISIT FLORIDA has recently awarded $483,105 to Florida tourism industry organizations as part of our 2014-2015 grant program.  The grants are given in four program categories, including Advertising Matching Grants; Cultural, Heritage, Rural and Nature Tourism Grants; Minority Convention Grants; and Small Business Grants.  This year, VISIT FLORIDA received a record number of applications and was able to award grants to 107 deserving businesses.

Here are some details on each of the four grant programs:

Advertising Matching Grants Program – Grants program to publicize the tourism advantages of the State of Florida.

Cultural, Heritage, Rural and Nature Tourism Grant Program – Reimbursement program designed to provide funding for multi-county and multi-Partner marketing projects for the promotion of Florida’s cultural, heritage, rural, nature and education efforts.

Minority Convention Grant Program – Offered to local governments and non-profit corporations/organizations to attract new national minority conferences and conventions.

Small Business Partner Grant Program – Grant program to assist small businesses (those with an income of less than $1,250,000 gross income per year, or a 501 (c) (3), not-for-profit status) in publicizing their programs and tourism advantages.

For those interested in VISIT FLORIDA’s grants program, mark your calendar for January 2015 to apply.  Also, VISIT FLORIDA will be hosting a webinar in December 2014 for Partners to learn more about each grant program, the deadlines, eligibility requirements and how to apply.

To learn more about these four VISIT FLORIDA grant programs and to view the complete list of businesses selected for 2014-2015, please click here.  VISIT FLORIDA also has an Airline Grant Program and City-Wide Meetings & Conventions Grant Program that are reviewed and awarded on an as-received basis throughout the fiscal year.  For further details, contact Susan Gale, VISIT FLORIDA Grants Coordinator, at sgale@VISITFLORIDA.org.