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.
Cultural Tourism Grants

The ArtsinStark/Visit Canton Cultural Tourism Grant Program supports arts and cultural projects that increase regional visitation, visitor spending and community engagement. 2027 Cultural Tourism Grant program will invest up to $200,000 in support of approved projects.

Projects Should:

  • Attract new visitors from outside Stark County
  • Enhance events, programs or destinations through arts and culture
  • Encourage community collaboration and new experience.

Grant Awards & Requirements

  • Up to $20,000 per project may be awarded through a competitive application process.
  • Organizations may submit multiple projects per cycle, but total awards may not exceed $20,000 per organization per cycle.
  • Applications must be submitted at least 90 days before project execution.
  • Projects must be completed during the 2027 calendar year.

2027 Grant Cycles

Cycle 1 | Projects taking place: January 1–June 30, 2027
Applications accepted: September 15–October 15, 2026

Cycle 2 | Projects taking place: July 1–December 31, 2027
Applications accepted: February 15–March 15, 2027

Application deadlines are 5:00 PM on the final day of each cycle.

How to Apply

Online applications open September 15, 2026.

Questions about eligibility or your project? Contact Allison Gromofsky, Senior Manager, Community & Partner Relations, at allisong@visitcanton.com.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW 2027 GRANT CRITERIA
Event Support Grants

Visit Canton Event Support Grants help attract and grow events that bring visitors, overnight stays and economic impact to Stark County. Funding supports qualifying sporting events and tournaments, conferences, professional meetings, expos and complementary experiences to qualifying events.

Event Support Investments Must:

  • Attract or retain events that generate visitor spending in Stark County
  • Increase attendance at recurring events
  • Expand an established event through additional programs, experiences or initiatives that increase visitor spending

Grant Awards & Requirements

  • Up to $10,000 per event may be awarded through a competitive process, pending available funding.
  • Events must generate a minimum of 125 Stark County hotel room nights and/or 400 day visitors from outside Stark County.
  • Applications must be submitted at least 90 days before the event.
  • Events must take place during the 2027 calendar year.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, pending available funding.

How to Apply

Interested in Event Support funding? Contact Zita Blile at zitab@visitcanton.com to discuss your event and determine eligibility. Qualifying events will receive access to the online application.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW 2027 GRANT CRITERIA

Partner Resources for Grants Programs
2027 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) = $409
2027 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 Senior Manager, Community & Partner Relations, 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.

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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.

Find out more information