Additional information:
- Grant is available to only Virginia DMOs (who have been established for at least 6-months at time of applying) at this time
- Authorized contact name for DRIVE Outdoor Grant Workshop Application must be staff of the applicant Virginia DMO (Marketing and/or PR agencies are ineligible to apply on behalf of a Virginia DMO)
- Grant funds are eligible for product development spending only (see more on eligible expenses below).
- Grant application period will be June 12, 2023 – July 14, 2023
- Grant workshop cycle will be August 14, 2022 – March 8, 2024
- Grant submission approval deadline: March 29, 2024
- $10,000 Maximum Award per DMO that has not previously completed DRIVE 2.0
- Funds are available at the close of the grant round once a grant project is submitted after a VTC led workshop has been held with the community
- Only one application per DMO per funding cycle
- Fifty percent in kind match and supporting documentation required at time of grant submission
- Economic impact projection required at time of grant submission at the close of the grant round
- Final report required confirming positive and significant impact of project
- Webinar to be offered to DMOs to overview program
- Application for this program will be portal on VATC.org
Eligible Program Expenses
- All items must support Outdoor Recreation product development
- Structures must be non-permanent or removeable
- Signage must be non-permanent or removable
- Equipment can be purchased or rented and does not have to be removeable (See ineligible list for equipment exclusions)
Research
- Feasibility studies to study the viability or possibility of an outdoor rec tourism product in an area
Outdoor Recreation Development
- Non-permanent/temporary restroom facilities
- Non-permanent camp/rest site preparation materials
- Gravel, picnic tables, benches, portable grills, campfire rings, railroad ties for site framing
- Trail Connections/ Paths
- Rental of equipment to clear the path, gravel for path (no asphalt or concrete pavement)
- Surface markings (According to your local/state/federal guidelines)
- Non-permanent water access
- Modular floating kayak launch like EZ Dock or YakPort (must have ability to be moved, but can be tethered to shoreline)
- Self-serve kayak rental lockers
- Water Activity Equipment
- Kayaks, Canoes, SUPs, PFDs (Excludes motorized boats)
- Biking
- Bikes for rental (excludes Lime, Bird, etc.)
- Portable bike racks and equipment storage
- Turnkey Bike repair stations
- Bike Equipment (Helmets, other gear)
- Accessibility equipment
- Trail wheelchairs or beach wheelchairs
- Non-permanent/temporary wheelchair ramps
- Outfitter/Tour Guide Equipment
- Modification to existing trailer for outdoor equipment transporting (ex. Trailer modified for kayak transporting)
Events
- Non-permanent staging
- Site preparation
- Tables, chairs, umbrellas, lighting, portable generators
Non-Permanent Signage
- Non-permanent Banners
- Permanent signage such as that required by VDOT and permanent crosswalk markings are not permitted. (We recommend applying for the DCR Recreational Trails program for funding for these items)
Business Expansion
- Entrepreneurial workshops in community, where funds will be used, on eligible expenses by entrepreneurs (excludes Wages, meals, room rental for internal meetings or workshops)
Other
- Portable heaters
- Rental Equipment for tasks or site prep such as trucks, trailers
Ineligible Program Expenses
Permanent Structures
- Permanent fixtures, signage, or buildings
- Permanent structures (paved surfaces, permanent kayak launches)
Studies for pre-determined/specific structures on predesignated land/area of locality
- Example: A study for a specific business on a specific location
- Environmental Design studies
Marketing Expenses
- Including, but not limited to: Digital advertising (social media, website design, banner ads, search engine advertising or optimization such as Google AdWords), FAM Tours, permanent banners, photography and video equipment or creation. (We recommend applying for Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Marketing Leverage Program for these expenses)
- LOVEwork creation or placement
Administrative Costs or Equipment
- Administrative costs such as office space, salaries and personnel costs, office supplies, office equipment, vehicles, fand other cost of doing business expenses
- Insurance expenses
- Mileage expenses
- Vehicles/Trucks/Trailers
- Registration/conference fees
In-kind match for 50% eligible items (required at time of grant submission at close of grant round)
Either a dollar for dollar or in kind match of at least 50% of requested funds is required at time of grant submission at the close of the grant round. Match items may be either marketing or development values. Keep in mind you can use existing marketing or development efforts as match. VTC awarded funds such as MLP, DMO grant, Special Event and Festival, DRIVE 2.0 or ARPA can not be used as match. Examples of eligible match items may include:
- Cash
- Owned, earned, paid media value (six month look back allowed for media value)
- Land or property value
- Administrative costs such as salaries, volunteer hourly value (Current estimated national value of each volunteer hour is $29.95) and personnel costs
- Site preparation work
- Equipment costs (rental or cost of use)