Quarterly Tourism Promotional Grant Applications

Quarterly Tourism Promotional Grant Applications is sponsored by Visit North Platte. These grants are offered to enhance and promote a positive image of communities in Lincoln County, Nebraska, and to assist in the development, continuation, and promotion of quality events, attractions, and amenities.

Event Incentive and Promotional Grant Only Application Event Incentive and Promotional Grant Application It is the mission of Visit North Platte to enhance and promote a positive image of the communities in Lincoln County, Nebraska and to assist in the development, continuation, and promotion of quality events, attractions, and amenities for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike, and to help ensure that the highest standards of customer service are practiced in our establishments.

The purpose of the Visit North Platte grant program is to provide funding for activities that fit our mission and purpose. The funds available through this program are provided from the lodging tax revenue and are to be used for the sole purpose of promoting, encouraging, and attracting visitors to Lincoln County, Nebraska, as the state statute §81-3701 through 81-3729 provides.

One of the ways Visit North Platte fulfills its mission is to offer grants to businesses and community organizations to assist them in hosting and promoting events and attractions. Grants are only reviewed on a quarterly basis at the monthly board meetings in January, April, July, and October.

Application deadlines are as follows: · January 1 deadline for events in April, May, and June · April 1 deadline for events in July, August, and September · July 1 deadline for events in October, November, and December · October 1 deadline for events in January, February, and March If your event or activity fulfills the mission and purpose of Visit North Platte and you would like to learn more about the types of grants available, click 'next'.

If this is your first time applying, we strongly recommend that you reach out to Visit North Platte 308-532-4729 Is the Event you are applying for hosted in Lincoln County, Nebraska? * Will your marketing efforts bring people from outside the community into the community? * Will your marketing efforts reach visitors outside a 100-mile radius of North Platte?

* Thank you for your interest in applying for grant funds from Visit North Platte. Based on your responses, your current project does not meet the minimum criteria to receive funding. If you have questions or would like to be considered for future funding, please contact the Visit North Platte office directly at 308-532-4729.

There are three types of Grants available from Visit North Platte: Promotion, Event Incentive, and Sports Incentive. All three grants are reimbursable 80/20 grants. Reimbursable grants are a type of grant that require the grantee to use their own resources to fund a project before being reimbursed for expenses.

80/20 means the grantee is responsible for covering at least 20% of the total project cost or using 20% of the project cost as in kind. PROMOTION: Promotional Grants are used to promote, encourage, and attract visitors to come to Lincoln County. These grants are designed to market to visitors outside of a 100-mile radius of North Platte who will be utilizing our lodging facilities to attend the event/activity being promoted.

Examples of items that are eligible for Promotional Funds include: -Radio, TV, Newspaper advertising -Brochure, flyer, poster printing, websites EVENT INCENTIVE: Event Incentive Grants are used to offset qualified expenses while supporting new events or the expansion of current festivals and events within Lincoln County that attract visitors who live outside of a 100-mile radius of North Platte who will be utilizing our lodging facilities to attend this event.

Event Incentive Funds are not meant to be a permanent source of funding for grantees. All events are expected to strive to be sustainable.

Examples of items that are eligible for Event Incentive Funds include: -Rental of Audio/Visual or other equipment -Speaker or entertainment honoraria SPORT INCENTIVE: Sport Incentive Grants are used to offset qualified expenses while supporting new sporting events or the expansion of current competitive events within Lincoln County that attract competitors and spectators who live outside of a 100-mile radius of North Platte who will be utilizing our lodging facilities to attend this event.

Sport Incentive Funds are not meant to be a permanent source of funding for grantees. All events are expected to strive to be sustainable. Examples of items that are eligible for Sports Incentive Funds include: -Referee or official fees This grant application is for for this event through this application.

You do NOT need to fill out separate applications for the same event. If you need to apply for an Sports Incentive Grant or ONLY a Promotional Grant, please click here and choose the correct application. REMINDER: Promotional Grant funds can only be used to attract visitors who live outside a 100-mile radius of North Platte.

Which Grant/Grants are you applying for? Event Incentive Only Event Incentive and Promotional You must complete the entire application in one sitting. There is no option to save and continue later.

You have the option to print the entire application before you begin. To do so, right click, print. When printed, the document may show questions that you will not be required to answer.

If your event has occurred before, you are required to upload a list of zip codes from the latest year, so have those accessible. There are document upload spaces on the last page for supporting documentation. You are required to upload quotes and estimates associated with grant requests.

You are also required to upload maps and targeting areas associated with all marketing grant requests. Visit North Platte will follow up with any application discrepancies one time. If those discrepancies are not amended before the deadline, Visit North Platte reserves the right to deem the application incomplete.

While completing this application you may come across words you are not familiar with. Before you begin, please review the 'Definition' section to make sure you understand the questions and expectations of this grant. If you have questions before you begin, please contact the Visit North Platte office at 308-532-4729.

• 80/20: Requested grant amount can cover, up to, 80% of the total project cost. The grantee is required to cover a minimum of 20% of the total cost of the project. • In-Kind: Goods or services provided as opposed to money (Example: volunteer hours, donations, etc.).

• Match: The monetary, or in-kind, funds the grantee is agreeing to contribute to the project. • Quid Pro Quo: A favor or advantage expected in return for grant funded. • Reimbursable: To be paid back from Visit North Platte after money has been spent.

• Room Nights: The overnight stays utilized at hotels and motels within Lincoln County. Deadlines for applications will be no later than the first day of the month in the quarter prior to which the event occurs. Promotion and Incentive fund grant applications are only reviewed on a quarterly basis at the monthly meetings in January, April, July, and October.

January 1 deadline for events in April, May, and June April 1 deadline for events in July, August, and September July 1 deadline for events in October, November, and December October 1 deadline for events in January, February, and March Generation of Room Nights Visit North Platte is funded solely from lodging tax revenue only generated through overnight stays at the lodging properties within Lincoln County, NE.

Applications should show how the project will market to visitors outside a 100-mile radius and will generate room nights. All grants approved will be required to report on actual room nights in the final report. Applicants must be in-person at the Board Meeting to present their grant describing the event and the grant request.

PowerPoints and handouts are allowed. PowerPoints must be submitted at least 1 week before presentation. If you provide handouts, bring eleven (11) for the entire Board of Directors and staff that will be present.

Presentations are to be no more than 5-7 minutes total, including time for questions. Board meetings are typically the fourth (4th) Wednesday of the month beginning at 8:30am. Grant presentations will begin at 8:30am.

You will be notified a minimum of one (1) week before the Board Meeting of your presentation time. Name of Person or Persons Planning to Present to the Board of Directors * This can be changed or adjusted closer to the presentation No grant funds can be used for general operating costs, salaries, or anything that would violate Nebraska Development Act, Neb. Rev.

Stat. §81-3701 through 81-3724, et seq. (as amended from time to time).

All grants are discretionary. Grants are not eligible if all required permits are not obtained. You will not receive funds to advertise with local TV, Radio and Newspapers (KNOP, Eagle Radio Stations and Huskeradio Stations, and the North Platte Telegraph or North Platte Bulletin).

Advertising with these agencies DOES count towards your match in the grant. Visit North Platte will not reimburse expenses paid to the applicant, the applicant’s own business, or any business in which the applicant has an ownership interest or close financial relationship. Expenses of this nature may be counted toward the applicant’s required matching contribution but are not eligible for reimbursement with grant funds.

This policy is intended to prevent a conflict of interest and to ensure that grant funds are used for payments to independent third-party vendors. "Sponsored in part by Visit North Platte" is required on all marketing material for approved event. All applicants will be notified in writing within ten (10) business days after their presentation with the decision as to their application.

Official Grant Agreement must be signed within 3 weeks of the announcement of the award unless both parties have agreed on other arrangements. By receiving funds from Visit North Platte, there will be a Quid Pro Quo agreement put into place. Final report is due to Visit North Platte within forty-five (45) days after the event/activity is complete; the exact date will be included in the Grant Agreement.

The report must outline if the objectives of the grant were met, if not, what were the circumstances that led to the deficiency. No money will be released until the final report and all required documentation is turned into Visit North Platte's office. Payment will NOT be made for unpaid invoices or invoices without proof of payment.

The ONLY acceptable forms of payment for reimbursement or proof of match include: check, debit card transactions, and credit card transactions . No Cash or Cash Apps will be accepted for proof of match or reimbursement. Final reports MUST include paid invoices and copies of proof of payment.

Proof of payment may be copies of canceled checks, credit card statements, or copies of bank statements with confidential information redacted. Detailed Reports on where advertising was placed outside a 100-mile radius of North Platte. As per Visit North Platte’s Promotional Fund Grant Guidelines, a minimum of 20% match by the Grantee is required and must be documented in the final report.

If the supporting documentation does not reflect the Grantee’s minimum 20% matching requirement, the Grantee must submit additional supporting documentation showing, to the satisfaction of Visit North Platte, that the required match was met. Grant funds may be reduced to reflect 80% of the grant award if the match requirements are not met.

Final reports and documentation not submitted within ninety (90) days after the end of the event, or the completion of the project will be considered delinquent, and the grant award will be forfeited. The exact calendar date will be included in the Grant Agreement.

If you are awarded funds, you will be required to maintain receipts of expenditures of grant funds for auditing purposes for a period of three (3) years following the event, and to make these records available to Visit North Platte upon request.

Grants are discretionary based upon available funds, other anticipated uses, appropriateness, and anticipated effectiveness of proposed use all in compliance with the Nebraska Revised Statute §81-3701 through 81-3724. To begin filling out the application, click 'Next'.

Name Award Check Should Be Made Out To * Address check should be mailed to, if different than above To get in touch with Presenter directly Provide a list of all persons included in this project and their role. * Please provide a brief description of your event * If applying for multiple events, put first date Is this a multiple day event? * If a multi-day event, or multiple events, put end date Is this a first time event?

* How many times has this event occurred in the past? * Where will your event be held? * If multiple locations, please include all Upload zip codes collected from the last time this event occurred.

* Is this an annual event or do you anticipate it becoming an annual event? * The funds available through this program are provided from the lodging tax revenue and are to be used for the sole purpose of promoting, encouraging, and attracting visitors to Lincoln County, Nebraska. Applications must be completely filled out to be considered.

How will your event benefit Lincoln County, NE? * What other agencies or groups are co-sponsoring this event? * Please list business and amount they are sponsoring Are you applying to other organizations for grant funds?

* Indicate the organizations and amount you are requesting grant funds from. * Who is the target market for this event or project? * Do you plan to charge an admission for spectators?

* What is the admission charge per person? * If undecided, please estimate. If different charge per age group, put in admission range (Ex.

$10-$25) Do you have a mechanism in place to capture zip codes? * Zip Codes will be required in the final report and to be considered for future grants. What is the number of spectators anticipated in each of the following categories?

* List States other than Nebraska anticipated: List Countries other than the United States anticipated: Do you have a host hotel for your event? * Indicate number of rooms your organization is covering for this event inside of Lincoln County: * Estimate the number of paid overnight stays those attending your event will generate in Lincoln County.

* Ex: If you estimate 150 attendees, each staying 2 nights, you would take 150 attendees * 2 nights = 300 estimated room nights. 300 would then be your estimate. Provide a description on how you came up with that estimate.

* What are the goals & objectives for your event? * What is your strategy, or strategies, to ensure success of your event? * List the Criteria you will be using to determine the success of event.

* Is this a Competitive Event? * How many competitors are you anticipating? * Example: You anticipate 30 teams, and each team will bring 20 athletes, resulting in an estimated 600 competitors.

Do you plan to charge your Competitors a Registration Fee? * What is the Registration Fee per Competitor or Team? * Will there be prize money distributed to competitors ?

* Please explain how the prize money will be allocatted. * You may also attach a file to show the payout breakdown on the budget sheet. If you choose to do that, please type 'See Attachment'.

What is your Marketing Budget? * What is your Marketing Plan? * Make sure to include your plan to attract people from outside a 100-mile radius of North Platte Has your event received funding through Visit North Platte, formerly North Platte/Lincoln County Visitors Bureau, before?

* Was the final report completed within 45 days of the event? * Please explain the reason for the delinquent report submission. * If this application isn't funded fully, will your event still happen?

* Upload detailed coverage maps, and quotes, of all broadcast and print media purchases to show marketing reach outside Lincoln County. You will not be considered for funding without proof that marketing efforts are reaching outside a 100-mile radius of North Platte. You must include copies of all quotes for all line items included in the grant request column.

If requesting prize payout, it is required to provide a breakdown of the payout. You must show 20% of your Grant Request as Match. This can be in Promotional, Incentive, or both.

Match are the funds you are committing to spending on the project. Match can also be in-kind items. In-kind labor can be calculated at a rate of $33.

49/hour. Proof of Match must be check, credit card transaction, debit card transaction, or signed proof of volunteer hours. You must show 20% of your Grant Request dedicated to marketing outside a 100-mile radius of North Platte.

Contact Visit North Platte if you would like a sample budget worksheet.

Example of Budget Worksheets when only requesting Event Incentive Grant Funds: Example of Budget Worksheets when requesting Event Incentive and Promotional Grant Funds: Choose Marketing Activity Brochures/Poster Design and Printing Paid Distribution Services Newspaper (list publications) Brochures/Poster Design and Printing Paid Distribution Services Newspaper (list publications) Brochures/Poster Design and Printing Paid Distribution Services Newspaper (list publications) Brochures/Poster Design and Printing Paid Distribution Services Newspaper (list publications) Brochures/Poster Design and Printing Paid Distribution Services Newspaper (list publications) Brochures/Poster Design and Printing Paid Distribution Services Newspaper (list publications) Brochures/Poster Design and Printing Paid Distribution Services Newspaper (list publications) Brochures/Poster Design and Printing Paid Distribution Services Newspaper (list publications) Brochures/Poster Design and Printing Paid Distribution Services Newspaper (list publications) Brochures/Poster Design and Printing Paid Distribution Services Newspaper (list publications) Brochures/Poster Design and Printing Paid Distribution Services Newspaper (list publications) Promotional and Incentive Fund Total Upload Advertiser Media Kit Upload zip codes from previous years Upload a document explaining how the prize money requested will be dispersed.

Upload supporting document Ex. quotes, estimate, etc. Upload supporting document Ex. quotes, estimate, etc. If you do not receive a 'Thank You' email after your submission, please contact Sydnee Nel at snel@VisitNorthPlatte.

com or 308-532-4729 to verify your application was received.