Grants to Iowa Nonprofits, For-Profits, and Agencies to Increase Tourism

Iowa Tourism Grant (ITG) Program

Agency

State

GrantWatch ID#

144235

Funding Source

Travel Iowa

Geographic Focus

USA: Iowa

Important Dates

Deadline: 09/29/23 4:00 PM CST

Grant Description

Grants of up to $10,000 to Iowa nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government entities to attract tourists. The goal of the program is to improve state and local economies through the promotion of tourism. Funding is intended for expenses related to the implementation of tourism-related marketing initiatives, events, or meetings.

Preference will be given to applications that support the overall marketing plan of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) in terms of its target audiences and messaging.

All project expenses (grant request plus cash match) must directly relate to the implementation of a tourismrelated marketing initiative, event or meeting and be incurred within the calendar year (January 2024 – December 2024). Examples of eligible expenses include:

Costs associated with executing marketing tactics and strategies, including planning, design and production of advertising, print materials, digital tools and exhibits for consumer-focused tradeshows.
Payments to speakers or entertainers, venue rental and equipment rental for tourism-related educational events or meetings.

Recipient

Additional Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be a tourism-related entity based in Iowa. This includes nonprofits, for-profits, cities, counties, and regional government and planning entities.

Ineligible

Any expense that doesn’t directly relate to the project is ineligible for funding. Examples include:
- Staff salaries and wages
- Vertical infrastructure
- Equipment and software
- Postage
- Marketing programs already subsidized by the Iowa Tourism Office or a tourism region
- All travel, meal, and lodging costs of staff and contractors
- Alcoholic beverages
- Solicitation efforts
- Lobbying fees
- Projects that receive funding from the Regional Sports Authority District program
- Prizes given to participants or attendees

Pre-Application Information

Timeline:
- August 23, 2023 – Application opens
- September 29, 2023 – Application closes at 4 p.m. CST
- November 20, 2023 - All applicants notified of status

Applicants that are an event, attraction, restaurant or lodging facility must have an updated listing on traveliowa.com

Applicants may submit one application per funding cycle. The same project cannot receive funding from the ITG program two years in a row.

Applicants must document a 25 percent cash match.

Checks will be disbursed after grant agreements are fully executed.

Estimated Size of Grant

All funds requested must be whole numbers between $2,500 to $10,000 and be in increments of $100 (i.e., $2,500; $2,600; $2,700; etc.).

Term of Contract

All project expenses must be incurred within the calendar year* (January 2024 - December 2024).

*If expenses are due before January 1 for events held early in the year, those expenses are allowed in the budget and in quotes provided. It is preferred that payments to vendors be made after January 1, but if this is not possible be very clear about why so that grant reviewers can be made aware of this when scoring.

Contact Information

Apply Online: https://form.jotform.com/232275416102951

For more information, contact:
Lora Friest
515.348.6254
lora.friest@iowaeda.com

Iowa Tourism Office
1963 Bell Avenue, Suite 200
Des Moines, IA 50315

Grants to Iowa Nonprofits, For-Profits, and Agencies to Increase Tourism

Iowa Tourism Grant (ITG) Program

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