Sunshine Matters

I am pleased to announce that the 2016-2017 VISIT FLORIDA grant application period is now open.  VISIT FLORIDA administers four grants to assist industry businesses with their marketing efforts to showcase the state’s tremendous tourism assets.  Those grants include the Advertising Matching Grants, Minority Convention Grants, Small Business Grants and Cultural, Heritage, Rural and Nature Tourism Grants.  The application period for these grants begins on December 17, 2015 and ends on February 8, 2016.

Applicants must meet eligibility requirements.  All marketing efforts must include the VISIT FLORIDA grant logo. Marketing project/program expenditures must be completed during the period of July 1, 2016 – June 15, 2017.  For more information on the VISIT FLORIDA Grants Program, please go to VISITFLORIDA.org/grants.  You may also access the December 17th Log-In & Learn Webinar titled “2016-2017 Grant Program Overview.”  This VISIT FLORIDA hosted webinar shares information about each grant program, including eligibility requirements, examples of awarded projects, selection criteria, application process, award process and timeline.

Below is additional information on each of the four grant programs:

Advertising Matching Grants Program – Grants program to publicize the tourism advantages of the State of Florida.  Applicants need not be a VISIT FLORIDA partner.  Offered to local governments or non-profit corporations serving local government.

Cultural, Heritage, Rural and Nature Tourism Grant Program – Reimbursement program designed to provide funding for marketing projects for the promotion of Florida’s cultural, heritage, rural, nature tourism products and education efforts.  Applicants must be a VISIT FLORIDA partner.

Minority Convention Grant Program – Offered to local governments and non-profit corporations/organizations to attract new national minority conferences and conventions to Florida.  Applicants need not be a VISIT FLORIDA partner.

Small Business 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 of the State of Florida.  Applicants must be a VISIT FLORIDA partner.

Should you have additional questions, contact us at grants@VISITFLORIDA.org.