Visit Athens County Tourism Development Grant and
Innovation Awards
The Visit Athens County office is excited to offer the Tourism Development Grant program for 2025
NEW THIS YEAR!
We have added a new grant program! We will be offering two Innovation Grants $5000 a piece. These grants are to encourage new, innovative, and expansive programs or marketing efforts to directly increase visitation and overnight stays in Athens County.
$45,000.00 in grant awards – $1500.00 maximum grant award
Innovation Awards – $5000.00 (2 available)
We want to encourage local agencies, event planners, and community organizations that feel they qualify for financial support from Visit Athens County to apply. We hope that this grant program will help streamline and set a foundation for our financial support systems for community projects, events, tourism assets, and tourism related campaigns. Please note that these grant programs will be the primary source for requesting support funds from the Visit Athens County office.
To be considered for a grant, non-profit attractions and organizations must complete an application for funding, or find a non-profit sponsor, which outlines the applicant’s needs for marketing, promotional and advertising assistance. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, with primary consideration given to new or expanded events, and initiatives that attract visitors from more than 100 miles and/or attract overnight visitors to Athens County.
All applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on Tuesday April 1st, 2025
A full budget must be attached along with supporting materials to outline the event, project, or program. Grants will be awarded up to $1500.00 for the Tourism Development Grants and $5000 for the Innovation Awards. All grants are reviewed and selected by committee.
Reporting detailing attendance, funding usage, overnight stays, and any relevant information regarding funding will be required upon completion of the event or program if awarded a grant. Innovation award winners will need to schedule a debrief meeting with Visit Athens County.
The Grant Application
You can access the Tourism Development Grant application below. Applications must be completed online. All applications will be reviewed by committee. Selections and awards will be made in April.