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.

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.

Update 3/15/24 – The Cultural Tourism Grant Program will open for projects taking place between July 1-December 31, 2024. The Grant Program will invest up to an additional $125,000 in support of approved projects.

Review the projects that received funding during the first cycle: $214,707 in Cultural Tourism Grants Awarded To 19 Stark County Organizations

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)
  • 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 2024 calendar year (January 1-December 31, 2024)

APPLICATION TIMELINE

  • March 15, 2024 | Online Applications for 2024 Cultural Tourism Grants Open - we will accept applications for projects taking place July 1-December 31, 2024.
  • May 1, 2024 | Online Applications for Cultural Tourism Grants must be submitted by 5:00PM
  • June 2024 | Announcement of Awarded Funds

HOW DO I APPLY?

ONLINE APPLICATION: www.visitcanton.grantplatform.com

  • 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 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 2024 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, 2024

  • By the 1st of Every Month (Example February 1, 2024) | Online Applications for Cultural Tourism Grants must be submitted by 5:00PM
  • By the 15th of Every Month (Example February 15, 2024) | 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.

Minimum Economic Impact Eligibility = 100 Stark County hotel room nights and/or 350-day visitors

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 2024 calendar year (January 1-December 31, 2024).

APPLICATION TIMELINE

If funds are still available in the Event Support Fund, Visit Canton will accept rolling applications throughout 2024 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

Grants will be awarded for projects that align with the mission of Visit Canton, the Stark County Convention & Visitors’ Bureau, to attract and engage visitors, serve and educate regional tourism partners, and generate economic growth for the community through travel and tourism development and enhancement projects.

The 2023 Destination Enhancement Grant Program will be the last opportunity for Stark County community partners to apply for funding through this grant program. Visit Canton will award up to $350,000 in support of major enhancement projects that fulfill the mission and strategic plan of Visit Canton.

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 that will increase the likelihood and opportunity for visitation.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO & GRANT APPLICATION CRITERIA

GRANT AWARDS & TIMELINE

  • Grant requests of $10,000 to $50,000 will be considered through this competitive application process.
  • Visit Canton grant dollars may not represent more than 50% of the total project cost.
  • Projects must be started in the 2024 calendar year.
  • Projects must be completed within two years of the award.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

  • September 20, 2023 | Online Applications for Destination Enhancement Grants Open
  • October 31, 2023 | 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 or request a site visit.

  • November 27-29, 2023 | Interviews & Site Visits with Finalists
  • December 15, 2023 | Announcement of Awarded Projects

ONLINE APPLICATION: Applications are closed for this grant program.

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

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 ) = $115
  • Overnight Visitor (60+ Miles) = $343
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: