The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) offers several funding programs to assist the Virginia travel industry. Below is a summary of the current and future programs: [ See below + PM Funding Opportunities .pdf for easy printing ]
Virginia Tourism Corporation Grant Programs
Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) Marketing Leverage Program
- Matching grant program to leverage existing marketing funds.
- Requires a research-based and measurable marketing plan.
- Who is eligible: Virginia travel industry partners including small businesses, DMOs, private sector attractions, accommodations and events.
- When: Spring and Fall Funding Cycles. The next funding cycle will open in Spring 2022
- Maximum Award: $20,000 and $10,000
- How: Online application portal
- Information webinars on the VTC Marketing Leverage Program will be held in early 2022 to provide an overview of this program and to provide application instructions.
- To be placed on the announcement and information notification list, please email Angela Wiggins at [email protected]
- Please contact Staci Martin at [email protected] for more information.
Information for Existing VTC Marketing Leverage Program Award Recipient
- The VTC staff are teleworking at this time.
- During this time, there may be delays in processing MLP Reimbursement Requests. VTC will make every effort to process requests as quickly as possible.
- VTC also realizes that existing MLP awardees may need to make changes to their Marketing Plans.
- VTC will work with all partners to assist with any revisions that are needed.
- Please contact Angela Wiggins at [email protected] regarding these changes.
Virginia Regional Tourism Marketing Funds
- VTC will announce two new funding programs in early 2022.
- More information will be posted on VATC.org, and educational webinars will be held to provide overview of these programs once finalized.
- Below is a summary of the two new programs.
- Please contact Staci Martin at [email protected] for more information.
Virginia DMO Marketing Grants
- Who is eligible: Official Virginia DMOs for marketing expenses that show positive and significant impact on tourism.
- When: Early 2022; one funding cycle annually.
- Maximum Award: $20,000.
- How: Online application portal; Requires cash or in-kind match.
- Informational webinars on the Virginia DMO Marketing Grants will be held in early 2022 to provide an overview of this new program and to provide application instructions.
- To be placed on the announcement and information notification list, please email Angela Wiggins at [email protected]
Virginia Special Events and Festivals Program
- Who is eligible: Virginia based special events and festivals for marketing and operations of special events and festivals.
- Impact of special events and/or festival must show positive and significant impact on tourism.
- When: Early 2022; one funding cycle annually.
- Maximum Award: $20,000 and $10,000
- How: Online application portal; Requires cash or in-kind match.
- Informational webinars on the Virginia Special Events and Festival Program will be held in early 2022 to provide an overview of this new program and to provide application instructions.
- To be placed on the announcement and information notification list, please email Angela Wiggins at [email protected].
Virginia Tourism Recovery Program (VTRP) | ARPA
- What’s available: $28 million in ARPA funding is available to help overcome the negative impacts of COVID-19 and support visitor spending across the state. Funds are designated for media, promotions, marketing, sales and product development.
- Who is eligible: Virginia counties and county-equivalent independent cities.
- When: Beginning January, 2022; over a two year period.
- How: A county or city applies to partner and administrator HORNE LLC for funds towards destination marketing. Available funds will be allocated based on the relative share of the locality to total state tax revenue.
- Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Drive 2.0
- What’s available: $10,000 up front grants to 30 DMOs.
- Who is eligible: Virginia DMOs.
- When: Three, six month rounds beginning Jan. 2021, July 2021 and January 2022.
- How: DMOs apply to be a part of the program utilizing the DRIVE 2.0 Strategic Plan in one of the three rounds. After successful application, the DMO completes a community survey, and a consensus meeting, to identify their best hub and spoke for marketing development and advocacy. The community can use the $10,000 grant fund towards any project from their hub and spokes created during the program.
- Please contact Caitlin Johnson at [email protected] for more information.
Tourism Development Financing Program (TDFP)
- What’s available: Gap financing towards the capital investment of new tourism product development.
- Who is eligible: Economic Development Organizations
- When: Year-round; no time limitations
- How: An EDO proves a deficiency in local tourism product based on visitor demand, through current research from a locality’s Community Comprehensive, Tourism Development and Marketing Plans. A developer then proves their project fills the deficiency through pro forma and market study research. If certification is achieved, the state contributes a percentage of quarterly sales and use tax collected from the project
- Learn more at https://www.vatc.org/TDFP.
- Please contact Wirt Confroy at [email protected] regarding these changes.
Tourism Improvement Districts (TIDS)
- What’s available: A visitor fee collected by tourism businesses for tourism marketing and development.
- Who is eligible: A newly formed TID Governing Board comprised of zone participating businesses.
- When: Year-round; no time limitations.
- How: Local lodging, dining, retail and tourism businesses petition the local government to create a TIDs plan. The plan defines zone geographic and usage parameters, and sources and uses of the funds. A newly formed governing board of participating businesses engages an administering Non profit administrator to assist in the management of the program and funds.
- Please contact [email protected] for more information.