Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) offers several funding programs to support Virginia’s tourism industry. The goal of VTC grant programs and funding initiatives it to strengthen and grow Virginia’s tourism economy by increasing visitor spending, attracting more overnight visitation, and enhancing the visitor experience. These investments support local communities, create economic opportunities, and contribute to the overall economic growth and prosperity for the Commonwealth. Below is a summary of current and upcoming funding programs.
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Virginia Tourism Corporation Grant Programs
- Reimbursable grant program to leverage existing marketing funds. Requires a research-based and measurable marketing plan designed to drive tourism to Virginia against back drop of the VA250/America’s 250 commemoration.
- Who is eligible: VA250 Committees, historic sites, museums
- Opens: May 5, 2026 Closes: May 28, 2026
- Award Tiers:
- Tier One: 1:1 minimum cash match for award of up to $10,000
- How: Online application portal
- For information and questions, please email vtcgrants@virginia.org
(VTC) Marketing Leverage Program
- Reimbursable grant program to leverage existing marketing funds. Requires a research-based and measurable marketing plan designed to drive tourism to Virginia
- Who is eligible: Virginia travel industry partners including small businesses, DMOs, private sector attractions, accommodations, museums, lodging and events. Note: DMOs must choose the DMO Marketing Program OR the Marketing Leverage Program. A letter of support from local or regional DMO is required. A lodging partner letter of support is required. A list of official DMOs can be found at www.vatc.org/dmolist.
- Opens: February 10, 2026. Closes: March 19, 2026
- Award Tiers:
- Tier One: 1:1 minimum cash match for award of up to $20,000
- Tier Two: 2:1 minimum cash match for award of up to $30,000
- How: Online application portal
- For information and questions, please email vtcgrants@virginia.org
- Who is eligible: Official Virginia DMOs for marketing expenses that show positive and significant economic impact on tourism and must include marketing plans designed to drive visitation to Virginia. Note: DMOs must choose the DMO Marketing Program OR the Marketing Leverage Program.
- Opens: February 10, 2026. Closes: March 19, 2026.
- Award tier: Up to $15,000 with minimum 50% cash or in-kind match
- How: Online application portal
- For information and questions, please email vtcgrants@virginia.org
- Reimbursable grant program to leverage existing marketing funds. Requires a targeted and research-based marketing plan designed to drive tourism to Virginia.
- Marketing Focus: Small business and shoulder season (September to May) marketing
- Who is eligible: Small tourism-related business with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees including boutique retail, restaurants, food trucks, small attractions, craft breweries, distilleries, wineries, boutique lodging and B&Bs, and events focused on shoulder season visitation
- Additional eligibility: Chambers of Commerce, NGOs, such as PDCs and Main Street organizations, may apply but the application must support microbusinesses and/or shoulder season visitation with a robust marketing plan. If the Chamber, Main Street, or organization is an officially designated DMO appearing on this list www.vatc.org/dmolist, please explore FY27 Co-op advertising opportunities.
- Open: June 23, 2026 Close: July 30, 2026
- Max Award: $5,000
- Match: 1:1 cash or in-kind
- How: Online application portal
- For information and questions, please email vtcgrants@virginia.org
Virginia Special Events and Festivals Program
- Who is eligible: Virginia based special events and festivals for marketing and production of special events and festivals; special events and festivals must have at least two years of prior attendance since 2022 and must have a minimum attendance of 500 attendees Special events and festivals with less than 500 attendees should apply for the Marketing Leverage Program
- Impact of special events and/or festival must show positive and significant impact on tourism and marketing plan must be designed to drive visitation to Virginia. Only 50% of award may be spent on event production costs. Applications with plans to use production funding to expand festival capacity; add a stage, enhance visitor experience, add artisan markets, concessions, food trucks, or other revenue generating activities will score higher
- Award tiers:
- Tier One: 500-4,999 attendees; up to $5,000 award with minimum 50% cash or in-kind match
- Tier Two: 5,000-19,999 attendees; up to $10,000 award with minimum 50% cash or in-kind match
- Tier Three: 20,000+ attendees; up to $20,000 award with minimum 50% cash or in-kind match
- Open: September 22, 2026 Closes: October 29, 2026
- How: Online application portal
- For information and questions, please email vtcgrants@virginia.org
Development Initiative Coming Soon!
- Contact: Caitlin Johnson ccjohnson@virginia.org | Jacob Bower jbower@virginia.org
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://vatc.org/TDFP
- Please contact Wirt Confroy at wconfroy@virginia.org
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 nonprofit administrator to assist in the management of the program and funds
- Please contact wconfroy@virginia.org for more information
- Learn from VA’s first TID in action, via this exceptional example > Richmond Region Tourism TID