Deadline: 25-May-22
The Maine Tourism Marketing Partnership Program (MTMPP)’s Special Event Marketing Grant is now open to provide marketing funds to existing, well established events for the expansion of progression of marketing strategies to attract new audiences, increase overnight visitation and length of stay.
Special Events have the ability to strengthen Maine’s brand and image nationally and internationally, have a direct economic impact on the state economy and attract visitation to Maine’s shoulder season.
Funding Information
Two Special Event Grants are awarded each fiscal year (one award per cycle) for a minimum amount of $30,000 and a maximum amount of $60,000.
Eligible Projects
The following items are eligible projects:
- Paid Advertising – Print, Broadcast, Digital, Out-of-Home, Paid Social Media
- Public & Media Relations – Familiarization Tours, Media Events, Online Press Room
- Existing Website Upgrades – Mobilization, Content, Search Engine Optimization
- Asset Development – Photography/Video Acquisition
- Fulfillment – Brochures, Guides, Maps & Distribution
- Event Management/Administration – No more than 20% of total MTMPP funds can be used for administrative expenses. Administrative expenses may not be built into any other section of the grant, and must be clearly explained in event budget.
Ineligible Projects
- Performances & Exhibitions
- Professional development conferences & training
- Promotional products – tents, banners, t-shirts, costumes, stickers, etc.
- New organizational websites, hosting
- Fundraising (raffles, giveaways, contests)
- Capital equipment, including rental equipment such as fencing, tents, stages, etc.
- Scholarships
Eligibility Criteria
- Organizations must create an online account 14 days prior to the grant deadline. If you have previously registered for an account, you must log-in to update your account 14-days prior.
- Organizations applying for funding must be a Maine municipality, tribal government, or Maine-based 501C3 or C6 or L3C.
- Organizations previously awarded MTMPP grant funding may not apply for a period of 12 months after the completion of their previous MTMPP Final Grant Report.
- Projects must be tourism focused by attracting individuals residing fifty miles or more from the destination.
- Events applying for this grant may not occur within 90 days of the grant start date (First Cycle: July 1st).
- Organizations must be in good standing as of application deadline with the Secretary of State (not applicable for municipalities).
- A previous unsatisfactory grant history, for any reason, could immediately disqualify a grant application.
For more information, visit https://motpartners.com/programs-services/marketing-grants/