Visit Canton Grant Programs

Visit Canton offers a variety of grant programs to provide support to initiatives that create economic development to the region and increase visitation to Stark County.

Grant funds are awarded for the year/project indicated in the application and are not intended to be a commitment of support for funding in future years for the same or different projects.

All organizations and projects are subject to applicable annual grant application and committee review processes. Annual grant eligibility, application, and committee review processes are subject to change. Confirm and review the current grant eligibility and application details prior to submitting each cycle.

Factors that contribute to grant award determinations:

  • Total Available Grant Budget
  • Total Eligible Grant Applications Submitted
  • Estimated Economic Impact of Project/Event/Campaign
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully execute a professional caliber project/event/campaign based upon submitted application and supporting documentation

Grant funds are not eligible to pay for Visit Canton Official Travel Guide advertising or VisitCanton.com sponsored content. Visit Canton Official Travel Guide and VisitCanton.com sponsored content are permissible expenses to include within an overall marketing plan and count toward the organization’s minimum matching 50% in marketing expenses. There must be additional qualifying out-of-county marketing expenses to which any awarded grant funds would be applied.

Event Support Grants

Event support investments aim to increase regional visitation and economic impact through visitor spending by supporting sporting events & tournaments, conferences, professional meetings, expos, and complementary experiences to qualifying events.

Visit Canton Event Support investments must accomplish one or more of the following:

  • Attract and/or retain events that generate significant visitor spending in Stark County
  • Increase attendance at recurring events that generate significant visitor spending in Stark County
  • Maximize visitor spending for an established event by executing additional programs, initiatives, etc.

2026 Event Support Grant Criteria

GRANT AWARDS & TIMELINE

  • Grant requests up to $10,000 per event will be considered in a competitive application process throughout the calendar year, pending available funds.
  • Events must have a minimum commitment of 125 Stark County hotel room nights and/or 400-day visitors from outside of Stark County.
  • Event Support Grant applications must be submitted at least 90 days before the scheduled event.
  • Events must be hosted within the 2026 calendar year.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

Applications Open for 2026 Events: September 10, 2025

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Grant applications MUST BE submitted at least 90 days before the event start date to be considered for funding.

HOW DO I APPLY?

Please reach out to Zita Blile at zitab@visitcanton.com to discuss event support opportunities and to receive an online application for qualifying events.

Cultural Tourism Grants

Cultural Tourism Grants aim to increase regional visitation and economic impact through visitor spending by supporting arts and cultural events, programming, and marketing initiatives.

2026 Cultural Tourism Grant program will invest up to $200,000 in support of approved projects.

ArtsinStark/Visit Canton Grant Program grant projects must:

  • Increase attendance and visitor spending by attracting NEW guests from outside of Stark County
  • Enhance events, programs, or their destination through arts and cultural elements.
  • Foster growth and community collaboration through arts and culture experiences.

2026 Cultural Tourism Grant Criteria

GRANT AWARDS AND TIMELINE

  • Grant requests up to $20,000 per project will be considered in a competitive application process.
  • Applicants may apply for multiple projects per grant cycle, but the total award for Cultural Tourism Grants per organization cannot exceed $20,000 per cycle.
  • Cultural Tourism Grant applications must be submitted at least 90 days before project execution.
  • Projects must be completed within the 2026 calendar year.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

Grant Cycle #1- Projects for January 1-June 31, 2026

  • Applications Accepted: September 10th-October 10th by 5:00 PM
  • Awards announced by October 24th, 2025

Grant Cycle #2 Projects for July 1-December 31, 2026

  • Applications Accepted: February 18th- March 20th by 5:00 PM
  • Awards announced by April 1st, 2026

HOW DO I APPLY?

Applications for 2026 Events: APPLICATIONS CLOSED FOR 2026

  • Select ArtsinStark/Cultural Tourism Grants Application when applying!

Have application questions or want to know if your project qualifies for the Cultural Tourism Grants? Please reach out to Senior Manager, Community & Partner Relations, Allison Gromofsky at allisong@visitcanton.com

Partner Resources for Grants Programs
2026 Economic Impact Overview

Please note that these are general economic impact numbers for review. The committee will use them as a reference to make recommendations based on return on investment, considering both overnight room stays and day visitors. These figures are for discussion purposes only, and final awards may not necessarily align with the numbers represented in this chart.

When showcasing a quantitative demonstration of benefits for a project, which must include economic impact projections and other measurable data demonstrating a benefit to the local economy, please use Tourism Ohio’s Visitor Impact Spending Numbers:

  • Day Visitor (Under 60 Miles ) = $124
  • Overnight Visitor (60+ Miles) = $400
2026 Economic Impact Grant Recommendations
Cultural Tourism Grant Request Change Form

Any changes impacting the eligibility and/or use of grant funds awarded to your project including changes to the date or venue, changes to the approved programming, decreases in the operating or marketing budget, or changes to the approved marketing buys must be submitted at least 30 DAYS before the project execution. Failure to provide the required updated information may result in the unintended misuse of grant funds, resulting in forfeiture of any balance due, collection of unused funds, and collection of funds applied towards ineligible expenses.

When do I need to submit a Grant Request Change Form?

An ArtsinStark/Visit Canton Cultural Tourism Grant Request Change Form needs to be submitted when there are modifications to the scope of the awarded project. For example:

  • Updates to Date or Venue
  • Changes to Approved Programming
  • Decrease in the Operating Budget
  • Decrease in the Marketing Budget
  • Changes to Approved Marketing Buys

Directions for Partners:

  • Please submit your Grant Request Change Form at least 30 days before event execution for the Committee to review the requested changes.
  • Change forms may be submitted as far in advance as possible before the date of the project.
  • Failure to provide the required updated information may result in the unintended misuse of grant funds, resulting in forfeiture of any balance due, collection of unused funds, and collection of funds applied toward ineligible expenses.

Have a question about your project or need to submit your form? Please email Visit Canton Promotions & Grants Manager, Allison Gromofsky, at allisong@visitcanton.

Click Here To Download Grant Request Change Form
SCORE: Local Branch and National Webinars

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Foundation Center Funding Information Network

The Stark Library is a Foundation Center Funding Information Network partner. As a member of this nationwide network of libraries, community foundations, and other nonprofit agencies, the Stark Library provides visitors with free public access to quality research materials.

Visit the Main Library (1020 Market Ave. N) for free public access to Foundation Center databases, directories, fundraising and philanthropy publications, and training resources.

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