The Ingham County Hotel/Motel Funds for Arts and Tourism grant aims to promote and encourage tourism and convention business in Ingham County through cultural activities. The grant is specifically targeted at nonprofit organizations that focus on projects which can attract out-of-county visitors to the region. The primary purpose of the funding is to support publicity and promotional projects related to arts, culture, and tourism, ensuring that these activities contribute to the broader goal of increasing tourism in the area. The funds are distributed annually based on the estimated revenue for the following year, as per the Ingham County Board of Commissioners' resolution, which earmarks 5% of hotel/motel revenues for such activities.

The grant is administered by the Arts Council of Greater Lansing under a contract with Ingham County. Applicants are required to submit their funding requests via the Arts Council's website, specifically through the Slideroom system. The maximum grant request is capped at $10,000, and it is important that the funding be used exclusively for advertising, distribution of programs, and other promotional activities aimed at drawing out-of-county visitors. The grants are not available for general operational costs, but rather for activities that align with the county’s tourism goals.

To be eligible, applicants must be Michigan-based, nonprofit organizations that are primarily engaged in cultural, educational, artistic, historical, or entertainment purposes. Eligible applicants include public and private not-for-profit corporations with the required IRS 501(c)(3) status, as well as public universities and government entities. The proposed activities must be open to the general public and focus on projects that legally allow for the use of hotel/motel tax revenue. Furthermore, the applicant must demonstrate that their activities have artistic merit and can attract visitors from outside the county. Examples of such activities include permanent cultural facilities, regular performances, or annual events that promote tourism.

Organizations that have received funds from Ingham County through the annual budget process or a supplemental appropriation are not eligible to apply during the same budget year. Additionally, any organization in bankruptcy or default with Ingham County, or with outstanding reports to the Arts Council, is disqualified from receiving funding. The funds must be used for out-of-county promotional activities, such as digital or print advertisements, billboards, and brochures. Upon receiving a grant, the applicant is required to provide proof of comprehensive general liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $1 million.

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing oversees the application process, reviewing all submissions for eligibility and compliance with the legal criteria. The applications are then forwarded to a Grant Review Panel for further evaluation. If the panel recommends an organization for funding, the Arts Council will coordinate with the County Attorney to finalize the scope of services and ensure all contractual requirements are met. The grant application process also includes submitting required documents, such as proof of nonprofit status, a list of board members, and financial details.

The grant application deadline for this funding opportunity is 11:59 p.m. on March 1, 2025. The grant application must be submitted via the Slideroom system, and no applications will be accepted after the deadline. Incomplete applications will also be disqualified.