VISIT FLORIDA administers an Advertising Matching Grant program to publicize the tourism advantages of the State of Florida to assist local government or non-profit corporation located within boundaries of and serving a local government provided for under Section 288.017, Florida Statutes. The Advertising Matching Grant program is a reimbursement grant program.

Allocation: The total for all grants awarded under the Advertising Matching Grant program shall not exceed $40,000. Each grant awarded under the grants program shall be limited to no more than $2,500 and must be matched by non-state dollars. This is a dollar for dollar matching grant. VISIT FLORIDA will award funds once proof of expenditure and performance has been provided for the project/program. All project/program expenditures must be completed during the fiscal year of the award and completed by June 15.

To receive an award under this grant program you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
•Your business must be located in a municipality with population of 50,000 persons or less, or county with an unincorporated area having a population of 200,000 or less.
•Your business must be either local government or a not-for-profit Florida corporation.

Grant funds should be used for marketing purposes to promote tourism advantages of the State of Florida through advertising (print, broadcast, digital, social media or out of home), direct mail, brochure production, website development, as well as other related projects/programs. Marketing efforts cannot include VISIT FLORIDA opportunities, i.e. Welcome Center brochure distribution or VISIT FLORIDA produced publications.

All marketing efforts must include the VISIT FLORIDA Grant Logo in compliance with the brand guidelines. The VISIT FLORIDA Grant Logo Guidelines can be found at www.VISITFLORIDA.org/grants in the Grants Toolkit.

No applicant may be considered for or receive more than one Advertising Matching Grant per year.

No applicant may use any other VISIT FLORIDA grant funds, for the same project or as matching funds. Dollar-for-dollar match and/or in-kind goods or services must be demonstrated. Staff salaries are not eligible towards matching funds. In-kind goods or services must be provided by third party entities.

Submission and Selection Criteria: Applicants must demonstrate that the program will directly or indirectly contribute to the promotion of tourism advantages within the State of Florida. All Grant application submissions must:
1.Describe project or program in which grant funding is requested.
2.Describe economic impact on the community.
3.Detail marketing strategy.
4.Describe implementation plan and budget.
5.Identify if program is an extension to a previous program.
6.Demonstrate a need for advertising assistance. (i.e. Will this project/program happen without these grant funds?)

Application Deadline: Applications for FY18/19 Grant Program will open December 5, 2017 and will close February 4, 2018.

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