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 Community Promotions Manager, Allison Gromofsky at allisong@visitcanton.com or 330.542.6375.

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.

Minimum Economic Impact Eligibility = 200 Stark County hotel room nights and/or 400-day visitors

Applications will not be accepted for events taking place within the date ranges of June 13-19, 2025, July 17-20, 2025, or July 30-August 4, 2025.

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.

2025 Event Support Grant 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 2025 calendar year (January 1-December 31, 2025).

APPLICATION TIMELINE

Applications Open for 2025 Events: October 1, 2024

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Grant applications MUST BE submitted at least 60 days before the event start date to be considered for funding.

HOW DO I APPLY?

ONLINE APPLICATION: https://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 Community Promotions Manager, Allison Gromofsky at allisong@visitcanton.com or 330.542.6375.

Event Organizer will be assigned a Visit Canton Event Service Team Member with a grant inquiry or start of a new grant application. Visit Canton will notify grant award recipients following approval by the Event Support Grant Committee and will continue to work with the assigned Event Service Team Member through the completion of the event.

Stark Stories: America 250 Grants

Visit Canton in partnership with ArtsinStark, will award $250,000 in support of America 250 projects to Stark County organizations. Grant requests up to $50,000 will be considered through this competitive application process. Grants will be awarded for the purpose of generating increased visitation and economic impact to celebrate and amplify Stark County’s stories through America 250 programming, events, special exhibitions, unique cultural experiences, and community initiatives.

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

  • Museum or Cultural Institution Exhibitions
  • Entertainment including Live Music, Dancing, Concerts, Theatrical Productions, Speaker Series
  • Educational Programming
  • Public Art Displays
  • Signage and/or Commemorative Banners
  • Special Events including Fairs, Festivals, and Parades
  • Historical Reenactments or Living History Programs
  • Documentaries, Oral History and Historic Preservation Projects
  • Veteran Programs or Recognition
  • Initiatives aligned with America 250-OH and America 250 Commission Programming

Stark Stories: America 250 Grant Criteria

GRANT AWARDS AND TIMELINE

  • Grant requests up to $50,000 will be considered through this competitive application process.
  • Minimum project budget must be at least $2,000. Minimum award for grant program will be $1,500.
  • Organizations must have 25% matching funds.
  • Projects must take place between July 1, 2025-December 31, 2026. (Priority will be given to projects that take place between July 1, 2025-July 4, 2026.)

APPLICATION TIMELINE

  • Announcement of Stark Stories: America 250 Grants | February 2025
  • Applications Open: March 1, 2025
  • Applications Due by 5:00PM | April 15, 2025

If your project is selected as a finalist, Visit Canton may notify you to schedule a Zoom or in-person interview to discuss your proposal in greater detail or request a site visit for the project.

  • Interviews & Site Visits with Finalists | May 1-15, 2025
  • Announcement of Awarded Projects | By May 31, 2025

HOW DO I APPLY?

ONLINE APPLICATION: Sorry, this grant program is no longer accepting applications for projects.

  • Select Stark Stories: America 250 Grants Application when applying!

Have application questions or want to know if your project qualifies for the Stark Stories: America 250 Grants? Please reach out to Community Promotions Manager, Allison Gromofsky at allisong@visitcanton.com or 330.542.6375.

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.

2025 Cultural Tourism Grant 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)
  • Priority will be given to projects that showcase experiences that cannot be found within 90 miles and/or 90 days of the project.
  • Projects must be started and completed within the 2025 calendar year (January 1-December 31, 2025)

APPLICATION TIMELINE

Projects taking place between January 1-May 31, 2025

Applications Open: October 1, 2024

Applications Due by 5:00PM: November 1, 2024

Final Award Emails: By December 10, 2024

Projects taking place between June 1- December 31, 2025

Applications Open: March 1, 2025

Applications Due by 5:00PM: April 1, 2025

Final Award Emails: By May 1, 2025

HOW DO I APPLY?

ONLINE APPLICATION: Sorry, this grant program is no longer accepting applications for 2025 projects.

  • 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 Community Promotions Manager, Allison Gromofsky at allisong@visitcanton.com or 330.542.6375.

Visit Canton Marketing Co-Ops

Apply for Visit Canton Marketing co-op support toward your tourism marketing initiatives. Include Visit Canton brand elements and be reimbursed up to 50% of the expense for approved marketing initiatives that reach day trips and overnight audiences'.

  • Eligible initiatives include sales and marketing campaigns that promote Stark County businesses to leisure audiences, event planners, and other site selectors.
  • Co-op funds awarded will equal no more than 50% of each approved expense(s).
  • Support is not guaranteed. This is a competitive process. Final award determinations are subject to consideration of all applications submitted by the deadline.
  • Visit Canton will review applications and prioritize them based on the campaign strategy, target audience, projected reach, and impressions.
  • Preference will be given to opportunities with the most potential to generate a significant return on investment for Stark County.

2025 Marketing Co-Op Criteria

GRANT AWARDS & TIMELINE

  • Co-op requests will be considered through this competitive application process.
  • Visit Canton co-op dollars may not represent more than 50% of the total project cost.
  • Marketing campaigns must take place during 2025 fiscal year (January 1-December 31, 2025).

APPLICATION TIMELINE

Projects taking place between January 1-May 31, 2025

Applications Open: October 1, 2024

Applications Due by 5:00PM: November 1, 2024

Final Awards Emails: By December 10, 2024

Projects taking place between June 1- December 31, 2025

Applications Open: March 1, 2025

Applications Due by 5:00PM: April 1, 2025

Final Awards Emails: By May 1, 2025

ONLINE APPLICATION: Sorry, this grant program is no longer accepting applications for 2025 projects.

  • Select Marketing Co Op Application when applying.

Have application questions or want to know if your marketing campaign qualifies for a Marketing Co-Op? Please reach out to Community Promotions Manager, Allison Gromofsky at allisong@visitcanton.com or 330.542.6375.

Partner Resources for Grants Programs

Press Releases

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

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
2024 Economic Impact Numbers

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
Tourism Ohio Economic Impact Card
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

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: