The Alachua County Visitors & Convention Bureau is accepting applications for its Nature and Culture Destination Enhancement Grants.
Donor Name: Alachua County Visitors & Convention Bureau
State: Florida
County: Alachua County (FL)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/23/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The purpose of the grants to support and enhance Alachua County as a culturally interesting and vibrant destination, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners has allocated a portion of the Tourist Development Tax revenue to aid in the operations and promotions of arts, cultural, and nature events that have, as one of their main purposes, the attraction of tourists as evidenced by the promotion of the event to tourists.
An eligible event is one that its main purpose for the attraction of tourists as evidenced by the promotion of the activity or event to tourists. A tourist is a person who participates in trade or recreation activities outside of the county of his or her residence, or who rents transient accommodations as provided in the Act.
Funding information

Applicants are able to request funds based on operating revenues reported in the organization’s last filed 990. The funding levels are as follows, with two exceptions as noted below:

Annual budget over $1,000,000 Maximum Request 10% of budget
Annual budget up to $ 999,999 Maximum Request 15% of budget
Annual budget up to $ 499,999 Maximum Request 20% of budget
Annual budget up to $ 199,999 Maximum Request 25% of budget
Annual budget up to $ 100,000 Maximum Request 30% of budget

The maximum request amount for an Educational Agency is $75,000.00 regardless of the number of program applications submitted. Educational Agencies that submit multiple applications are subject to the total award amount of $75,000.00.
For applicants whose primary organizational purpose or mission is not to attract audience members, a separate event statement with direct expenses and revenues for the program is required. Funding request amounts will be based on that figure rather than the organizational budget.

Grant Period
For programs and activities occurring between October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025.
Eligibility Criteria 
Applicants must fulfill the following at the time of application.

Be a legally established arts, nature or culture organization.
The operations, events and activities must be within the boundaries of Alachua County.
The proposed event has as one of its main purposes the attraction of tourists as evidenced by the promotion of the event to tourists.
Have documented IRS non-profit, tax-exempt status. A copy of Active Status from Sunbiz.org must be attached to the application.
Institutions of higher education are eligible to apply for arts, nature or culture programs and events, within the request limit.
Applications will not be accepted from organizations who have applied for Tourist Development funding through the Gainesville Sports Commission, Sponsorships, Local Sports Destination Enhancement Grants and Conference Grants in the same year.
Applications will not be accepted for organizations to re-grant or provide funding to individuals or other organizations.
Government entities are not eligible to apply for Nature and Culture Destination Enhancement grants.

For more information, visit Visit Gainesville Alachua County.