The New York City Tourism Foundation is offering the 2025 Borough Culture Grant Program to support cultural organizations that engage with tourists, primarily through promotional materials and events that highlight cultural institutions. This grant is designed to promote cultural programming that is tourism-facing, benefiting projects within the five boroughs of New York City. It is primarily aimed at 501(c)3 organizations that meet specific eligibility requirements and are involved in tourism-related activities. The program is focused on providing marketing and promotional funding for cultural events, institutions, and programs, including media outreach through paid campaigns, digital content, print, and video production.

The purpose of the grant is to promote cultural activities that will attract tourists to New York City's cultural institutions, events, and other cultural offerings. Eligible projects include the creation and dissemination of promotional materials such as digital content, paid media, print advertisements, and videos. The grant aims to enhance the visibility and reach of cultural programs and initiatives in order to draw more tourism to the city. The funding is specifically designed for cultural projects that can increase awareness and engagement, making them accessible to a wider audience.

Eligible applicants must meet several requirements. Organizations must be registered as a 501(c)3 with the State of New York, and their proposed projects should take place during calendar year 2025. Additionally, applicants must be in compliance with any prior funding conditions from the Foundation. The grant awards are limited to a maximum of $25,000 per recipient or project within a single grant cycle. The funding must be used solely for marketing and promotional purposes, not for any staff salaries or benefits, capital projects, travel, event production, or office supplies. Furthermore, the promotion of for-profit entities or organizations outside New York City is not permitted.

Certain entities are excluded from receiving the grant, including individuals, scholarship-granting organizations, and fiscal conduits. The application must be completed by the organization requesting funding and submitted by 5 PM on March 3, 2025. The Foundation will not accept incomplete or late applications. Organizations must ensure that their projects are compliant with the Foundation’s guidelines and that they are in line with the tourism focus of the program. All applicants should submit their full application, including any required documentation, by the deadline to be considered for the funding.

The evaluation process will likely prioritize projects that best align with the mission of promoting tourism in New York City through cultural programs. The funding application requires the submission of a complete application by the specified deadline and emphasizes the importance of accuracy and thoroughness in the application process. Applicants should expect a clear and transparent review process, where the Foundation will assess the merit of each proposed project based on its ability to effectively promote New York City’s cultural tourism.