Grant Program Application Criteria
* Please note new changes in bold as of September 24, 2025
Morehead-Rowan County Tourism Commission (MRCTC) administers the funds collected from four percent (4%) tourism development tax on occupied transient lodging sales within the city of Morehead, three percent (3%) tourism development tax on occupied transient lodging sales in the county and three percent (3%) restaurant tax in the city of Morehead.
MRCTC has designated a portion of its budget to a grant program designed to aid events that promote tourism activity in Morehead and Rowan County. The purpose of the grant program is to increase visitation, enhance the visitor experience, contribute to the overall economic impact of the community, and increase overnight stays in our area. The number and extent of these grants will be dependent upon the availability of annual funds. The funds dispersed from MRCTC are strictly for marketing and advertising funding. Any funds granted will be subject to audit by auditors retained annually by MRCTC.
Grant funding excludes auctions, sales, personal sales or yard sales, real estate transactions, land sales, animal sales, estate sales, etc. We recommend if you are in doubt, contact our office to discuss eligibility.
The event attendance must be for the public so that all are welcome to attend and participate.
This grant funding application may be terminated with 24 hours written notice by MRCTC for a breach or failure of the applicant to perform pursuant to any of the provisions or requirements set forth herein. If grants funds have already been disbursed, and breach occurs, the applicant will be responsible for full repayment to MRCTC.
When MRCTC provides a grant, we are only assisting, not hosting the event. The grantee will need to obtain event insurance for the group and/or activity. The grantee will also need to be the coordinator of the event or designate a coordinator for the event and perform all other duties necessary to make the event a success. Please keep in mind, we are a resource for you so please reach out to us for guidance, tips, solutions, and ideas.
Any funding provided by MRCTC should not be interpreted as an on-going means of funding for an event. The ideal scenario is lending more funds to ‘new’ or ‘young’ events and gradually decreasing the amount as the event moves toward becoming self-supporting and profit-making.
Grants are eligible for renewal once a year for up to five (5) years if the event can show a proven method of growth by turning in thoroughly completed post-event reports. Before submitting the application for year Five (5), grant recipients MUST meet with MRCTC staff to discuss future planning and funding for the event.
There is a maximum funding request limit of $30,000.
The following is a list of allowable expenses for marketing and advertising grants:
- Allowable Expenses
- Digital Advertising - Social media ads, boosted posts, Google Ads, or similar digital platforms used to promote the event.
- Print Materials - Posters, flyers, brochures, and event signage (including banners and directional signs) directly tied to event promotion.
- Traditional Media - Newspaper, magazine, local newsletter, radio, or television advertising
- Website & Online Presence - Creating or updating an event website, landing page, or paid event listing on community or tourism sites.
- Promotional Items - Branded items such as pens, stickers, or merchandise used exclusively for marketing and promotion purposes (not resale).
- Photography & Videography - Professional services for capturing images or video for current promotion or future event marketing.
- Non-Allowable Expenses
- Operational or administrative costs, such as staff salaries, office rent, or utilities.
- Food, beverages, or hospitality for organizers, volunteers, or attendees.
- Prizes, gifts, or giveaways not directly tied to event promotion.
- Equipment purchases or rentals not directly related to marketing or advertising (e.g., tents, sound systems, tables).
Proposals will be evaluated on the strength of their financial planning. Applications that clearly demonstrate a realistic budget, thoughtful allocation of resources, and strong alignment between the project scope and the requested funds will be scored more favorably.
Grant requests will be reviewed as written. However, if the committee determines that the requested amount exceeds either the project's demonstrated needs or the available funding, applicants may be invited to revise and resubmit their proposal at a reduced request for further consideration.
Applications may be submitted anytime throughout the year but must be submitted a minimum of two (2) months in advance to be considered.
The MRCTC will consider the following factors regarding grant requests, but shall not be limited to:
- Availability of annual funds
- The scheduled date(s) and time(s) of the event
- Estimated number of out-of-town visitors and their estimated length of stay with supporting documentation (Events that include overnight lodging and more than one (1) day events do receive higher consideration)
- Detailed descriptions of the following:
- How you plan to promote the event
- Detailed marketing plan including descriptions, budget and advertising run dates per item use of the funding based on amount of funds requested
- Media planning is the most crucial piece of planning an event. Our funding is very specific to only be used for marketing and advertising, so we ask you to be as detailed as possible when developing a successful media plan for your event. (If this is your first time hosting the event, we would be happy to assist in the development of a media plan for your organization, please feel free to contact us to set up a meeting.) We have included below some helpful pricing ‘estimates’ for a successful media campaign. These numbers are not quoted verbatim by advertisers but are typically in price range.
- Detailed marketing plan including descriptions, budget and advertising run dates per item use of the funding based on amount of funds requested
- How you plan to promote the event
|
Logo Design |
One time design fee (only if you develop a logo for the event) |
$500 |
|
Website Development |
One time design fee (only if you develop a website specifically for the event) |
$1,500 - $2,000 |
|
Website Hosting |
Annual Fee
|
$100 |
|
Poster, Flyer Design, Printing |
|
$75 - $100 |
|
Social Media Development |
We suggest a social media event page |
Free |
|
Print Advertising |
Magazines, Newspapers Etc. |
$500 - $2,000 |
|
Press Releases |
|
Free |
|
Website Domain Registration |
Annual Fee |
$100 |
|
Radio Advertising |
|
$100 - $500 |
|
Television Advertising |
|
$1,000 - $5,000 |
|
Social Media Advertising |
Boosts |
Varies |
|
Email Blasts |
|
Varies |
- Detailed cost estimate of the event, including an itemized budget
- Location where the event will be held
- A list of all committee members, including first name and last name
- Additional sponsors to assist with financing the event
- Criteria
- The event must be an annual event or have the potential to be an annual event
- The event must have a direct impact on the growth of visitors to Morehead and Rowan County
- The event must have a visitor appeal and growth potential
- The event cannot be political in nature
- Overnight lodging stays give events greater value therefore overnight stays are preferred
- This application must be fully completed when submitted or the application will not be considered
- This application must be accompanied by a cover letter
- Any additional supporting documents, such as letters of support, or designs should also be included
- Other
The following logo, in its entirety, must be incorporated on all printed materials and/or television/radio marketing. This logo supersedes previous versions. Failure to include the logo will be noted in the evaluation of future grant applications.
b. Morehead-Rowan County Tourism shall have the right to attend and photograph and/or video the event for promotion purposes.
- Submit the completed grant application a minimum of 2 months prior to the event. Less than 2 months cannot be accepted.
- Submit post event report 60 days after the event completion.
- Future funding is weighed heavily on the information contained within the post event report.
