Tourism Development Grants

Grant Purpose

To make small, strategic investments that attract non-resident visitors to Graham County and drive measurable increases in visitation, overnight stays, and visitor spending by enhancing tourism experiences, tourism assets, and tourism marketing efforts.

Program At A Glance

• Total Funding Available: $30,000 for the 2025–2026 grant cycle
• Application Type: Ongoing/first-come; first-served
• Who Can Apply: Established nonprofit and for-profit entities
• Submission Method: Applications must be completed online

All grants made by the Graham County Travel and Tourism Authority must comply with North Carolina General Statutes governing the use of occupancy tax funds. Projects must meet these statutory requirements to be considered for funding.

Avaliable Funding

Funding is offered through three paths. These paths support projects that enhance or develop tourism experiences, tourism assets, and tourism marketing efforts to attract non-resident visitors and increase visitation, overnight stays, and visitor spending.

Marketing & Business Development

Typical award: $3,000 – $7,500

Supports the development and implementation of marketing strategies and projects as well as staff and leadership development.

Typical award amounts are intended to provide guidance on the scale of projects this program is designed to fund. Projects should be of sufficient scope to have a measurable impact. The Graham County Travel & Tourism Authority reserves the right to partially fund requests or to award amounts greater than those requested.

Eligibility

• Grants may only be awarded to established nonprofit and for-profit entities who have been in operation for a minimum of one year
• Proposed project must be directly tied to tourism promotion, visitor engagement, or the development or enhancement of tourism-related assets
• Applicants with an open grant may not make a new application
• All supported assets and events must be open to the public

Please contact the Graham County Travel and Tourism Authority staff if assistance is needed to identify a partner and establish an eligible partnership.

Strong Consideration

Strong consideration is given to collaborative projects involving public and private organizations, community partnerships, and projects that include applicant investments and/or matching funds. While matching contributions may include donated materials, volunteer labor, and partner contributions such as paid staff time, cash matches are given higher priority within the Tourism Development Grant Program

Priority Funding

Priority consideration is given to projects and initiatives that:

• Have an off-peak season impact (Dec 1 – March 31)
• Use sustainability and stewardship practices to develop, enhance, or restore a tourism asset
• Include a well-designed plan or demonstrated strategy to increase overnight visitation, length of stay, or visitor spending by travelers from outside Graham County
• Include a strategic marketing reach and/or effectiveness plan; or demonstrate increased reach or visitation for existing projects’ growth or enhancement funding

Matching Grants

Funds from this program may be used as matching funds for grants awarded by other organizations. Applicants must disclose if a Tourism Development Grant will be applied as matching funds at the time of application. Applicants are also required to notify the Graham County Travel and Tourism Authority of the outcome of the related grant being matched. Acceptance of Tourism Development matching funds are contingent upon the successful award of the corresponding grant.

Grant Timeline

• Grants are accepted on an ongoing basis
• Applicants will be considered on a first-come, first served basis
• Applications must be received at least 10 business days prior to the published board meeting date
• No approvals will be issued between Board meetings

Application Proceess

Grant applications must be completed online. Printed or handwritten submissions will not be accepted. Applicaiton instructions and required documentation are outlined on the program website and provided in PDF format.

Application Review

Applications are first reviewed by the Grants Committee. The committee may request additional information or request that applicants meet with the Graham County Travel and Tourism Authority staff.

Successful applications present projects and initiatives that address most if not all of the following priorities:

• Alignment with statutory requirements
• Program priorities
• Projected tourism impact
• Project feasibility
• Budget clarity
• Relevance to overnight visitation and off-peak season travel

Award Notification & Requirements

Applicants will receive written notification delivered by email. Successful applicants will receive a grant agreement outlining requirements. All funded projects must include appropriate acknowledgment of the Graham County Travel and Tourism Authority, as specified in the grant agreement.

Eligible Uses of Funds

All eligible uses of funds must be directly tied to tourism promotion or the development, enhancement, or
marketing of assets that attract overnight visitors from outside Graham County. Below are examples of
eligible uses of funds:

Marketing & Business Development

• Development of Marketing or Branding materials & assets
• Staff leadership training & development
• Event attendance that will develop regional and national tourism related relationships
• Website or landing page development for tourism promotion
• Public relations, media outreach, or market research

Ineligible Uses of Funds

Examples of ineligible uses of funds include, but are not limited to:

• general operating expenses
• staff salaries not directly tied to tourism promotion
• undeclared grant program matches
• disproportionate administrative expenses
• debt service or loan repayment
• political or religious programming
• projects that primarily serve residents or local businesses
• projects without a clearly defined and documented tourism promotion or overnight visitation component

Disbursement & Reporting

Funds may only be disbursed to an established business or nonprofit entity. Post-project reports are due within 45 days of project completion and must follow the reporting format designated in the grant agreement. Example requested documentation of tourism-related outcomes might include but is not limited to:

• estimated visitor attendance
• overnight stays generated
• marketing reach outside the county and other project relevant performance metrics.

Reports must also include proof of expenditures, such as receipts and invoices. Milestone check-ins or interim reports may be requested in some project agreements.

Contact Information

Contact Graham County Travel and Tourism Authority at 828-479-3790 or email
info@grahamcountytravel.com

The Graham County Travel and Tourism Authority reserves the right to seek reimbursement of funds for uncompleted projects, projects that deviate from approved plans, or projects that restrict public access following development. Failure to complete post-project reports is considered an uncompleted project.