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
(VTC) Recovery 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 (subject to change).
- When: August 30, 2022 (tentative; subject to change).
- How: Online application portal.
- For information and questions, please email [email protected]
Virginia DMO Marketing Grants
- Who is eligible: Official Virginia DMOs for marketing expenses that show positive and significant impact on tourism.
- When: January 10, 2023 (tentative; subject to change).
- How: Online application portal; Requires at least 50% cash or in-kind match.
- For information and questions, please email [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: January 10, 2023 (tentative; subject to change).
- How: Online application portal; Requires at least 50% cash or in-kind match.
- For information and questions, please email [email protected]
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.
