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.

Questions about the Grants Programs?

Have application questions or want to know if your project qualifies for one of the Visit Canton Grant Programs? Please reach out to Promotions & Grants Manager, Allison Gromofsky at allisong@visitcanton.com or 330.542.6375. Click here to schedule a 30-Minute Partner One-on-One about your grant application.

Cultural Tourism Grants

Visit Canton in partnership with ArtsinStark will award Cultural Tourism Grants up to $20,000 to each approved marketing or event initiative. Grants will be awarded for the purpose of generating increased visitation and economic impact for the region through the support of arts and culture events and marketing initiatives. The initiatives must encompass visual arts, museums, performing arts, theaters, attractions, authentic historic and cultural places, and events to encounter traditions, history, music, and art.

Project proposals are not limited to, but may focus on one of the following categories:

  • Visual Arts, Performing Arts or Museum Exhibitions
  • Entertainment including Live Music, Dancing, Concerts, Theatrical Productions
  • Heritage and historical experiences

Project examples within the categories include:

  • Live music, dance, or entertainment elements added to special events
  • NEW Marketing initiatives to reach a new demographic of guests to engage with the performance, exhibit, special event, or production
  • Marketing and promotional expenses including email marketing campaigns, magazines, newspapers, radio, TV, internet, direct mail, PR/media kits, and billboards, etc.
  • Marketing initiatives that showcase the newly added arts and cultural elements at special events
  • Additional arts or cultural-based experiences at special events or program
  • Addition of arts-based experience that elevates the visitor/guest experience within the business or attraction.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO & GRANT APPLICATION CRITERIA

GRANT AWARDS AND TIMELINE

  • Grant requests up to $20,000 per project will be considered through this competitive application process.
  • Applicants can submit multiple projects per fiscal year
  • Cultural Tourism Grant applications must be submitted at least 60 days before scheduled programming or special event
  • Cultural Tourism grant dollars may not represent more than 50% of the total marketing cost. If asking for Marketing Support – 50% match of marketing expenses (*local marketing initiatives can be included as part of the match)
  • Projects must be started and completed within the 2023 calendar year (January 1-December
    31, 2023).

APPLICATION TIMELINE

  • November 1, 2022 | Online Applications for 2023 Cultural Tourism Grants Open
  • November 30, 2022 | Online Applications for Cultural Tourism Grants must be submitted by 5:00PM
  • December 15, 2022 | Announcement of Awarded Funds

HOW DO I APPLY?

Have application questions or want to know if your project qualifies for the Cultural Tourism Grants? Please reach out to Promotions & Grants Manager, Allison Gromofsky at allisong@visitcanton.com or 330.542.6375.

If funds are still available in the Cultural Tourism Grant Fund, Visit Canton will accept rolling applications on the following timeline throughout 2023 until there are no longer dollars available. Cultural Tourism Grant Applications must be submitted at least 60 days before the scheduled program or event to be considered. Awarded grant dollars from Cultural Tourism Grants must be used by December 31, 2023

  • By the 1st of Every Month (Example March 1, 2023) | Online Applications for Cultural Tourism Grants must be submitted by 5:00PM
  • By the 15th of Every Month (Example March 15, 2023) | All applications that were submitted by the 1st will be reviewed and judged by the Committee and an announcement of awarded funds will be made by the 15th of that month.
Swimminganddivingmainimage

Event Support Grants

Grants will be awarded for the purpose of generating increased visitation and economic impact for the region through the support of major events including but not limited to, conferences, reunions, meetings, sporting events & tournaments, and complementary festivals and events.

Project proposals are not limited to, but may focus on one of the following categories:

  • Meetings & Conferences
  • Sporting Events: Tournaments, Camps, and Spectator Games
  • Complementary Special Events & Festivals
  • Reunions, Group Tours, Tradeshows or Marketplaces

Project examples within the categories include:

  • Operating expenses for Stark County Service Providers including:
    • Transportation
    • Hospitality
    • Venue Rental
  • NEW Marketing initiatives to attract event participants and spectators
  • Addition of a Stark County experience that elevates the visitor/guest experience within the itinerary.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO & GRANT APPLICATION CRITERIA

GRANT AWARDS & TIMELINE

  • Grant requests for up to 50% of hospitality needs and/or marketing initiatives will be considered through this competitive application process.
  • Event Support Grant applications must be submitted at least 60 days before scheduled programming or special event.
  • Events must be started and completed within the 2023 calendar year (January 1-December 31, 2023).

APPLICATION TIMELINE

If funds are still available in the Event Support Fund, Visit Canton will accept rolling applications throughout 2023 until there are no longer dollars available. Event Support Grant Applications must be submitted at least 60 days before the scheduled program or event to be considered.

HOW DO I APPLY?

ONLINE APPLICATION: www.visitcanton.grantplatform.com

  • Please select Event Support Grants Application when applying.

Have application questions or want to know if your event qualifies for the Event Support Grants? Please reach out to Promotions & Grants Manager, Allison Gromofsky at allisong@visitcanton.com or 330.542.6375.

Photo op art at beech creek garden in alliance

Destination Enhancement Grants

Projects should target the development of quality-of-place amenities, attractions, and facilities that enhance the visitor experience and foster connectivity within the specific destination or geographic area to increase the likelihood of visitation from outside the area. Partnerships that bring together local and regional organizations, economic development and/or government organizations and tourism-related businesses will be looked upon favorably.

Project proposals are not limited to, but may focus on one of the following categories:

  • Spectator sports, participation sports, and outdoor recreation
  • Culinary and agricultural activities
  • Heritage and historical experiences
  • Arts and culture

Project examples within the categories include:

  • Community wayfinding signage or placemaking
  • Business sign and façade improvements, art installations, etc.
  • Projects that elevate the visitor/guest experience within the destination.
  • Accessibility additions to attractions, playgrounds, or parking
  • Enhancement to the interior building to create more event or multi-purpose space

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO & GRANT APPLICATION CRITERIA

GRANT AWARDS & TIMELINE

  • Grant requests up to $50,000 will be considered through this competitive application process. (If you have a project that is looking for more than $50,000 in support, please reach out to Promotions and Grants Manager, Allison Gromofsky, allisong@visitcanton.com.)
  • Visit Canton grant dollars may not represent more than 50% of the total project cost.
  • Projects must be started in the 2023 calendar year.
  • Projects must be completed within two years of the award.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

  • September 12, 2022 | Online Applications for Destination Enhancement Grants Open
  • October 31, 2022 | Online Applications for Destination Enhancement Grants must be submitted by 5:00PM

If your project is selected as a finalist, Visit Canton will notify you to schedule a Zoom or in-person interview to discuss your proposal in greater detail and to ask any final questions or request additional information.

  • November 16, 2022 | Interviews with Finalists from 2:00PM-4:30PM
  • November 17, 2022 | Interviews with Finalists from 9:00AM-11:30PM
  • November 21, 2022 | Announcement of Awarded Projects

ONLINE APPLICATION: SORRY, 2022 Grant Applications have closed.

Have application questions or want to know if your project qualifies for the Destination Enhancement Grants? Please reach out to Promotions & Grants Manager, Allison Gromofsky at allisong@visitcanton.com or 330.542.6375.

Partner Resources for Grants Programs

Have application questions or want to know if your project qualifies for one of the Visit Canton Grant Programs? Please reach out to Promotions & Grants Manager, Allison Gromofsky at allisong@visitcanton.com or 330.542.6375. Click here to schedule a 30-Minute Partner One-on-One about your grant application.

Budget Worksheet

Looking for an example of how to put together your organization's budget for the grant application? We have an editable budget worksheet for your organization to use!

Click Here To Download Budget Worksheet
PR/​Marketing Promotions Worksheet

Putting together your PR plan for your grant application? Use this editable form to help guide you when putting together your PR/Promotional Plan!

Click Here To Download Media PR/Marketing Promotions Worksheet
SCORE: Local Branch and National Webinars

SCORE Canton provides free and confidential business advice and counseling tailored to meet the needs of your small business, non-profit organization, and project objectives. Succeed with a SCORE Mentor!

Plus, with a plethora of FREE online webinars, you are sure to find the help you need to take your project or business to the next level.

Find a SCORE Mentor
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 (715 Market Ave N, Canton, OH 44702) for free public access to Foundation Center databases, directories, fundraising and philanthropy publications, and training resources.

Find out more information

Additional Grant Opportunities

Additional Funding Opportunities:

Press Releases

Media: Find out more information about the grant awards that have been awarded.