TRAVEL ASSOCIATION Marketing Grant & pARTNER Co-Op pROGRAM

Welcome to the Georgia Marketing Co-Op and Grant page where you'll find the latest information on opportunities, deadlines, and sources for other grant sources.

For the latest information on the following, please scroll down the page:

• FY 2011 Advertising Grant Program
• Tourism Product Development Resource Team
• Tourism Product Development Program
• Other Sources of Tourism Grants
  
  

tRAVEL ASSOCIATION Marketing Grant & pARTNER Co-Op pROGRAM

FY12 GDEcD Tourism Grant Media Booklet

FY12 GDEcD Tourism Partner Advertising Co-op Program

Tourism Product Development Program
The Tourism Division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Council for the Arts have partnered to offer the 2012 Tourism Product Development Grant.  Grant Guidelines, a County Tier Level Map and contact information are posted below.  Please Note: the FY2012 application will be submitted electronically. Please read all Guidelines and contact GDEcD staff with any questions prior to applying.   The Application deadline is September 30, 2011.

TPD e-Grant online Application

Tourism Product Development Grant Guidelines

2011 County Tier Levels Map

GDEcD Regional Tourism Representatives

If you have difficulty opening these files, please contact our Tourism Product Development Project Manager: Ms. Leslie Breland  lbreland@georgia.org   404-962-4844

Other Sources of Tourism Grants
As additional sources for grants to support tourism are identified, links will be added to this site. This site should not be used as your only source for seeking grant money.

Historic Theater Heritage Tourism Grant Program 

The Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and the Fox Theater Institute have cooperated through this grant program to promote the preservation and heighten awareness of Georgia’s historic theaters through heritage tourism efforts.  The postmark deadline is April 15, 2011.

Non-profit organizations (in existence for a minimum of 18 months) and local governments are eligible to apply for matching grants (50%/50%) for the preservation and promotion of Georgia’s historic theaters.  Maximum grant award is $2,500; in-kind match is allowed, but some cash match is encouraged.  All projects must be completed within one year of the date the grant is awarded.  Grants are competitive.  However, funding priority is given to those theaters listed in the Georgia or National Register of Historic Places, either individually or as part of a historic district.  The historic theater either must currently be or plan to be open to the public. All project work must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation. 

If you have questions about the application process, would like to discuss possible project ideas, or would like to receive an application in the mail, please call Carole Moore, grants coordinator, at 404-463-8434 or contact her at carole.moore@dnr.state.ga.us.

FFY 2011 HPF Grant Cycle Begins Now!
Application packets for the next cycle of federal grants made available to Certified Local Governments interested in completing survey and planning or building/site-specific predevelopment projects are now available on HPD’s Web site.   Due to budget constraints, application packets will not be mailed to the CLG list this year, but may be requested from Carole Moore (see below) on an individual basis.  

Eligible survey and planning activities include surveys, National Register nominations, design guidelines, brochures, website development, heritage education materials, workshops, conferences, etc. Eligible predevelopment projects include activities such as historic structure reports, preservation plans, or architectural drawings and specifications.   

The postmark deadline is February 1, 2011, and grant awards will be announced in March 2011.  Projects may begin in April 2011 and must be completed by September 30, 2012.  

If you have questions about the application process, would like to discuss possible project ideas, or would like to receive an application in the mail, please call Carole Moore, grants coordinator, at 404-463-8434 or contact her at carole.moore@dnr.state.ga.us.

2011 Historic Landscape and Garden Grant

Applications are being accepted for the Garden Club of Georgia’s 2011 Historic Landscape and Garden Grant program. Historic gardens or landscapes owned by public, nonprofit organizations may be eligible for 50/50 matching grants with a maximum of $3,000 per grant. This year the Garden Club is partnering with the Georgia Department of Economic Development to emphasize the importance of historic landscapes to heritage tourism within the state. As a result, projects funded should focus on the preservation, conservation, or marketing of the state’s historic landscapes or gardens. Eligible activities to be considered this year include projects that enhance the experience of tourists as they visit a historic landscape/garden. For more information on the program and to download an application, go to the Garden Club of Georgia’s website.  For questions, please contact Mary Ann Eaddy at 404-651-5283. Please note that applications must be received no later than February 1, 2011.

Recreational Trails Program Grants
The United States Congress appropriates funding for the Program, and the Federal Highway Administration manages the Program, but it is administered at the state level. In Georgia, administration is handled by staff of the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites. Grants are awarded to city governments, county governments, federal agencies, authorized commissions, as well as state agencies.  The purpose of the RTP is to provide and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities identified in, or that further a specific goal of, the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).  More information and the application are available online.  The application deadline is November 30.

Transportation Enhancement Funding Announced
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has announced a new round of federally-funded Transportation Enhancement (TE) funding.  GDOT will be electronically accepting TE applications beginning October 1, 2010 until 3:00 p.m. December 15, 2010.  Applications must be sponsored by a government entity and requires a minimum of 20% local matching funds.  Please visit GDOT’s TE page for more information, workshop registration and application details.

Battlefield Project Grants, American Battlefield Protection Program of the National Park Service.  These grants provide seed money for projects that lead directly to the identification, preservation and interpretation of battlefield land and/or historic sites associated with battlefields.  Grants range from $5,000 to $80,000.  Eligible applicants are non-profit groups, academic institutions, other private sector organizations, and local, regional, state, and tribal governments.  More information is available online.  Applications sent by mail must be USPS postmarked by January 2, 2011.

The Division of Public Programs at the U.S. National Endowment for the Humanities funds humanities projects that are intended for broad public audiences at museums, libraries, historic sites and other historical and cultural organizations.  New application guidelines are now posted on the NEH website for its America's Historical and Cultural Organizations grant competition. The next two deadlines are January 12 and August 17. Other grant information is also available at the website.  Grants support interpretive exhibitions, reading or film discussion series, historic site interpretation, lecture series and symposia, and digital projects.  NEH encourages projects that offer multiple formats and make creative use of new technology to deliver humanities content. Program officers in the Division of Public Programs are available to discuss project ideas or to read a draft of a proposal. Call the NEH Division of Public Programs at  202-606-8269 for more information.

The Georgia Humanities Council Grant Program
The  program provides financial support for cultural and humanities-based educational programs that strengthen local communities by providing opportunities for learning and discussion among all participants. Grants are awarded to such nonprofit organizations as museums, libraries, historical societies, community groups, educational institutions and government agencies.  This category is most appropriate for single or short-term public programs. Examples include speakers, traveling exhibits, book or film discussions, or interpretive programs at historic sites. Application deadline is May 15.

NEH Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions
The National Endowment for the Humanities has a Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions program to help libraries, museums, historical societies, archival repositories, town and county records offices, and colleges and universities improve preservation and care for their collections.  Awards of up to $6,000 support collection assessments, consultation, training, and disaster and emergency planning.  The application deadline is May 18.  Guidelines for the program are available at NEH Guidelines.  Nonprofit organizations, state and local government agencies, and tribal governments are eligible for the grants.  More information is available by phone at 202-606-8570 or email at preservation@neh.gov.

FY 2010 Save America's Treasures Grants
Grants are available for preservation and/or conservation work on nationally significant intellectual and cultural artifacts and historic structures and sites. Intellectual and cultural artifacts include artifacts, collections, documents, sculpture, and works of art. Historic structures and sites include historic districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects.  Grants are awarded to Federal, state, local, and tribal government entities, and non-profit organizations through a competitive matching-grant program.  For more information and to apply visit Save America's Treasures Grants. Applications are due by May 21.

Preservation Services Fund Grants
Administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, these grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations and public agencies for preservation planning and education efforts.  Grant awards range from $500 to $5,000.  Applications are due on June 1.  For more information, contact the Southern Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation at 843-722-8552 or soro@nthp.org and the National Trust Web site.

USDA Rural Development's Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG) program
The RBOG program promotes sustainable economic development in rural communities with exceptional needs through provision of training and technical assistance for business development, entrepreneurs, and economic development officials and to assist with economic development planning.  To be eligible for funding, an applicant must be a public body, non-profit corporation, Indian Tribe or cooperative with members that are primarily rural residents. Applicants must also have significant expertise in the activities proposed and the financial strength to ensure the objectives of the proposed grant can be accomplished. Applications are due June 28.  More information on how to apply for a USDA Rural Business Opportunity Grant is available by clicking on RBOG.

Georgia DOT GATEway Grant Program

The mission of the GATEway Grant Program is to provide funding for roadside enhancement and beautification projects along Georgia’s roadsides.

Any organization, local government, or state agency may apply for grants up to a maximum of $50,000 for landscape enhancement of the state right of way that involves the local community, displays the right of way in an attractive fashion and promotes pride in Georgia. The maximum cumulative fund allotment each year shall be $50,000 within a local government entity.

Battlefield Project Grants, American Battlefield Protection Program of the National Park Service
The American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) of the National Park Service invites non-profit groups, academic institutions, and local, regional, state, and tribal governments, and other private sector organizations to submit applications for grants. The purpose of this grant program is to provide seed money for projects that lead directly to the identification, preservation and interpretation of battlefield land and/or historic sites associated with battlefields. Project funding has ranged from $5,000 to $80,000.  Applications must be postmarked by January 2, 2010.

National Endowment for the Humanities, Division of Public Programs grants
The Division of Public Programs at the National Endowment for the Humanities funds public projects at museums, libraries, historic sites, and other historical and cultural organizations.  The organization offers grants that support historic site interpretation, exhibits, reading or film discussion series, symposia, and digital projects.  For more information contact the Division of Public Programs, 202-606-8269 or click on the link above. The application deadline for funds from the America’s Historical and Cultural Organizations and Interpreting America’s Historic Places programs is January 13, 2010.

Coastal Incentive grants, Georgia Coastal Resources Division
The Coastal Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is administering Coastal Incentive grants to Qualified Local Governments, non-DNR state agencies, and educational institutions within the 11-county coastal area.  Successful grants allow regional and local coastal issues to be defined and addressed creatively and proactively at the grass-roots level.  Applications are due by January 15, 2010.
 

Federal Programs for Heritage and Cultural Tourism - A general sampling of federal programs that can help promote and support heritage tourism initiatives is provided. In addition to these and other programs listed, many Federal property-managing agencies (USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Defense, etc.) have tourism and/or recreation programs that can help support non-Federal heritage tourism initiatives through partnerships and co-promotion arrangements.

Sony Corporation offers grants throughout the year focusing on arts education, arts and culture, and volunteerism among other areas. There is no deadline nor matching requirement for the grant.

Institute of Museum and Library Services offers a number of annual grants primarily for museums and libraries as well as the professionals who staff them. Grant money can be used for a variety of items including preservation, workshop/professional development, and studies. Please refer to the guidelines for each.

The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. offers a 50/50 matching grant for the preservation of historic landscapes  including creating the plan as well as the actual planting.

The Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) Grant program is appropriated annually from Congress through the National Park Service to the states. The 60/40 matching grants enable cities, towns, and rural areas to undertake projects that aid in the preservation of historic properties. Eligible survey and planning activities include surveys, National Register nominations, design guidelines, brochures, web site development, heritage education materials, workshops/conferences, etc. Eligible predevelopment projects include activities such as historic structure reports, preservation plans, or architectural drawings and specifications.