Tourism Marketing Grants

Printable Guidelines

Click here for the complete guidelines for the Tourism Marketing Grant.

Application Questions

Click here for application questions for the Kansas Tourism Marketing Grant.

Budget Template

Click here for a budget template for the Kansas Tourism Marketing Grant.

Eligible Applicants & Definitions

• Nonprofit Organizations - are defined as Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status or 501(c)(6) status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
• For-profit Organizations - are defined as a business that operates with the primary goal of generating profit for its owners or shareholders
• Government Organizations - are defined as State governments, County governments, City or township governments, or Special district governments
• Tribal Organizations - such as Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), Native American tribal governments (other than federally recognized)
• Public or private non-profit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State 

Eligible Projects and Costs

•  Media Placement
  • First-time print and broadcast advertising should focus on out-of-state or markets over 100 miles from the event, attraction, or community. The application must address the expected economic benefit to the community through the attendance generated by the media placement, such as meals purchased, overnight stays, and so on.
• Graphic Design and/or Printing of Promotional Materials
  •  A detailed description of the promotional materials shall be submitted for all design work. An example of the design shall be included in the application. A distribution plan shall be submitted with all requests for brochure and guide design and printing.
• Strategic Marketing Plan
  • A copy of the marketing plan must be submitted with the final reimbursement request.
• Regional Collaborative Marketing initiatives
  • New marketing programs between multiple entities.
• Trade Shows
  • The grant will fund an organization’s first-time attendance at consumer out-of-state trade shows, including booth space fees and marketing materials. Travel expenses are not eligible.
• Website Design or Enhancement
  • The grant will fund website design and enhancement.
• Digital Marketing
  • The grant will fund the purchase of an email list, mobile marketing, and ad agency support for digital marketing.
• Market Research
  • The grant will fund first-time tourism market research. A copy of the research results shall be given to the Tourism Division prior to or at the time the request for grant payment is submitted.
• Sports Marketing  
  • The grant will fund bid fees, event marketing, and other appropriate event activities that directly support the cost to set up and run the event. The grant will not fund event management salaries or event prizes. 
•  Brochure and Guide Distribution
  • The grant may fund out-of-state brochure or guide distribution that is done through a professional distribution company. The distribution schedule for the planned regions and dates shall be included in the application.
• 11.  Billboards
  • The grant will fund first-time billboard rental and production. Billboards funded through this program are intended as a marketing activity. Billboards used solely as directional signage will not be considered.
• 12.  Public Relations & Media Activities
  • The grant will fund first-time PR Media activities such as a first-time press event or FAM trip etc.
• 13. Direct Mail Marketing
  • The grant will fund the first-time printing and the cost to mail a “direct mail” piece. Pre- application must provide details of intended economic benefit of the promotional piece and include why the particular target market was chosen.
• 14. Video and Photography
  • The grant will fund the asset gathering of video and photography for tourism promotion and media use. 

Ineligible Projects and Costs

The following are projects and costs that are non-fundable through the grant program:
 

•  Marketing of local community events that are mostly promoted to local citizens and are attended predominantly by local citizens
• Association memberships 
• Salaries and wages
• Entertainment and honorariums
• Items for resale
• Local and state beauty pageants and parades
• Bumper stickers, stationery, and membership solicitation literature
• Promotional items, prizes, trophies, plaques, decorations, trinkets, hats, shirts, banners, flags, and floats
• Highway signage
• Fundraising  
•  Taxes, except sales tax on goods and services, and payroll taxes
•  Lobbyists, political contributions
• Bad debts, late payment fees, finance charges, or contingency funds  
• Parking or traffic violations  
• Out-of-state transportation and travel expenses. Kansas will be considered the home state for determining whether travel is out-of-state. 

Funding

• The Tourism Marketing Grant is a 60/40 grant. Applicants must provide a minimum of 60% of the project’s cost from leveraged assets.
• 50% of leverage funding may be in-kind contributions.
• This is a reimbursable grant.

Awardees - 2024

Awardees - 2023

Reporting Forms 

Below are the reporting forms for those who have been previously awarded the Tourism Marketing Grant.