Destination Development & Events Grant

Funds allocated for the Destination, Development & Events Grant shall be used solely for tourism-related projects that draw out-of-town visitors and that occur within Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky.

• Projects must have the potential to draw out-of-market visitors (100+ miles) and contribute to overnight stays.
• Projects must have the potential to draw a minimum of 1,000 people in attendance.
• Projects/applications must be submitted before the actual date the event takes place, exhibit, campaign or experience launches to be eligible for consideration. No application will be accepted for grants requested after the event or project is completed.
• All projects will have a maximum of three consecutive years of funding by the CIC.
• If a project is considered for funding three consecutive years in a row, the funding will include a step down in dollar amount with each consecutive year in the three-year cycle
  • Year 1-100% of grant award
  • Year 2- 75% of the previous year’s grant award
  • Year 3- 50% of the first year’s grant award
• After a project has received support for three consecutive years, a two-year moratorium will be imposed before it can be resubmitted for consideration.
• Grant monies can be used as start-up funds for projects less than three years old in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY.
• Grant monies can also be used for existing projects that have changed in some significant way or in trying to implement new advertising/promotion activities to reach a new market, thus attracting overnight stays.
• In addition, the grant applicant must agree to an economic impact survey conducted by Louisville Tourism (if desired) as part of the terms of receiving funds from the Louisville Tourism Community Investment Committee. Louisville Tourism will be responsible for staffing and funding the Economic Impact survey.
• Projects with a proven track record in other markets will be given strong consideration and are strongly encouraged to bring their event to Louisville/Jefferson County, KY.
• The organization will be strongly encouraged to work closely with the Louisville Tourism Marketing Communications Department.

Click here to apply.

Applications MUST BE submitted digitally to be considered for review.

1. Once a grant has been approved, notification will be made. A check for the approved portion (50%-80%) of the grant amount will be cut and mailed to the organization one week before the date the funds were requested. The remaining portion of the granted funds will be mailed upon receipt of the final report from the organization.
2. Within 90 days after the event, the grant recipient is required to complete the online CIC Grant Tracking report provided by Louisville Tourism about their grant. The balance of the approved grant will be distributed upon completion of this report. Failure to file this report may result in forfeiture of the grant balance. The report must include a summary of the event, as well as information such as zip code details for attendees/visitors, success metrics, impressions, attendance dates, a description, a financial report, copies of receipts, and a brief evaluation. Zip code details for attendees/visitors are required. This completed report will be weighted heavily in future grant application review processes. All completed reports will be included in future LT Commission Meeting packets and in future CIC Committee Meeting packets for review and information purposes. A link to fill out the summary report is available here.
3. The recipient will be responsible for completing the project. The CIC and Louisville Tourism will not assume any responsibility for ensuring project completion.
4. Any cost over the amount of the grant will be the sole responsibility of the grant recipient.

Click here for eligibility, requirements and deadlines.

Applications MUST BE submitted digitally to be considered for review.