Marketing Grant Program

• Total Grant Pool: $15,000
• Total Grant Maximum per applicant: $5,000 ($10,000 project minimum)
• Funding is awarded on a competitive basis.
• Visit Independence reserves the right to:
• Award full or partial funding from the grant pool
• Fund multiple projects
• Decline funding for projects that do not meet program goals
• Award less than requested amount

• This is a 50/50 matching reimbursement grant.
• Applicants must provide a minimum dollar-for-dollar cash match equal to the amount requested.
• Applicants are encouraged to invest beyond the required 50% match.

• August 1, 2026 - Application Open
• August 30, 2026 - Applications Due (5:00 PM)
• September 2026 - Review Committee Evaluation
• September 25, 2026 - Award Notifications
• October 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 - Eligible Campaign Period
• Within 30 days of campaign completion - Reimbursement Request Due

Funding will prioritize projects that:

• Increase overnight visitation
• Drive new visitors to Independence
• Generate hotel room nights
• Increase visitor spending
• Attract regional and national audiences
• Encourage longer visitor stays
• Promote tourism assets and experiences
• Strengthen the Visit Independence destination brand

Applications must:

• Be a Visit Independence partner in good standing.
• Be located in Independence, Missouri.
• Operate a tourism-related business, attraction, museum, event, lodging property, or tourism experience.
• Complete the project within Visit Independence's FY2027 funding cycle (October 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.)

Grant funds and matching funds may be used for tourism marketing activities including:

Advertising

• Digital advertising
• Paid social media advertising
• Search engine marketing (SEM)
• Display advertising
• Streaming/video advertising
• Television
• Radio
• Print advertising
• Billboard advertising

Promotional Materials

• Brochures
• Rack cards
• Flyers
• Posters
• Tourism collateral

Digital Marketing

• Website campaign landing pages
• Email marketing
• Video production
• Photography
• Influencer marketing
• Content creation
• Digital tourism campaigns

Destination Promotion

Marketing campaigns promoting:

• Attractions
• Festivals
• Exhibits
• Museums
• Events
• Seasonal experiences
• Tourism packages
• Cooperative tourism campaigns

Grant funds and matching funds may NOT be used for:

• Building maintenance
• Facility improvements
• Landscaping
• Capital improvements
• Payroll or employee wages
• Benefits
• Utilities
• Office supplies
  
• Equipment purchases
• Event or business insurance
• Food and beverages
• Alcohol
• Debt repayment
• Membership dues
• Operating expenses
• Entertainment
• Political activities
• Expenses incurred outside the approved campaign period
• In-kind donations or volunteer labor

Applicants must provide a minimum 50% cash match.

Eligible matching funds include:

• Advertising purchases
• Printing costs
• Graphic design
• Video production
• Photography
• Digital advertising
• Paid social media
• Website advertising
• Tourism publication advertising
• Influencer marketing

• Marketing software directly related to the campaign

The following cannot count toward the required match:

• Volunteer time
• Donated services
• Existing salaries
• Staff time
• Existing operating expenses
• Previously completed marketing campaigns
• In-kind contributions

Grant recipients agree to:

• Complete the approved marketing campaign during the funding period.
• Include the Visit Independence logo on all grant-funded marketing materials.
• Recognize Visit Independence as a funding partner when appropriate.
• Submit final campaign creative, before placement/print, to be approved by Visit Independence
• Maintain contracts, receipts, and proof of payment.
• Submit a final report detailing campaign results.
• Submit reimbursement documentation within 30 days of campaign completion.
• Allow Visit Independence to use campaign materials, photos, and results for reporting and promotional purposes.

Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis only

Recipients must submit:

• Reimbursement Request Form
• Paid invoices
• Proof of payment
• Copies or screenshots of marketing materials
• Campaign performance metrics
• Photos, advertisements, or promotional materials

Visit Independence will reimburse up to 50% of approved eligible expenses, not to exceed the approved grant award.

Late reimbursement requests may not be eligible for funding.