2026 Tourism Marketing Grant Application
About
Clear Lake Tourism provides financial assistance for projects that target visitors from outside the North Iowa area to spark economic impact related to tourism expenditures in Clear Lake. Grant applications will be reviewed monthly. Eligible projects will be awarded as grant funds allow. This grant program is made possible through the hotel/motel tax received by the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce's Tourism Department for marketing projects.
Funding
Minimum grant request: $500. Maximum grant request: $2500. Grant awards require a 25% cash match. Project expenses (grant request plus cash match) must directly relate to the implementation of a tourism-related marketing initiative targeting attendees outside of the North Iowa region for a project, meeting or event and be incurred within the 2026 calendar year (January - December)
Eligibility
Grant awards are limited to a maximum of 1 awarded project per organization per year. The same project cannot receive funding 2 years in a row. If your organization received funding the prior year, you must show new marketing tactics to grow your audience outside of the North Iowa region.
Eligible Expenses
Eligible expenses include (but are not limited to) planning, design, production, and placement of advertising outside of North Iowa, printed materials for distribution outside of North Iowa, or other marketing initiatives created to reach visitors to spark economic impact related to tourism expenditures.
Ineligible Expenses
Ineligible expenses include (but are not limited to) staff wages, prizes & giveaways for participants, equipment & software. and postage.
Organization
Representative
First Name
Last Name
Email
example@example.com
Address
Street Address
Street Address Line 2
City
State / Province
Postal / Zip Code
Amount Requested: $500 min.; $2500 max. Does not include your 25% cash match.
Funding Requested for (you may choose more than one):
Advertising (digital marketing, social media, radio, tv, billboard, newspaper, etc.)
Print Production (brochures, postcards, rack cards, flyers)
Multimedia Production (video, web design)
Other (describe below)
If you selected other, describe here:
EVENT OR ACTIVITY OVERVIEW. (Tell us about the event or program you are promoting.) Provide a brief description of the event or activity for which you are seeking marketing support. Include its purpose, target audience, and key details (dates, location, attendance, etc.).
MARKETING PROJECT SUMMARY. (Tell us about the marketing project you’re requesting funding for.) Describe the specific marketing or promotional project you’re requesting funds for. Include how the project will promote your event or a and reach your intended audience.Explain the project, timeline for implementation and how grant funds will be used. (20 points)
TOURISM IMPACT. Describe how the project will grow Clear Lake Tourism. Use numbers - economic impact, ROI, attendance, number of households/people reached, etc. (20 points)
INNOVATION. Describe the innovative qualities of this project. If the application is not for a new marketing initiative or event, explain how the proposed project will enhance the current marketing initiative or event. (20 points)
NEED. Explain the need for funds to implement the proposed project. Provide information on other funding sources (including successful and unsuccessful requests State whether the project will continue without an award. (15 points)
SUSTAINABILITY Include how the project's success will be measured and how the project's benefits will be utilized for future marketing endeavors. Describe plans to continue and sustain the project upon completion of the grant if applicable. (10 points)
BUDGET. Provide clear documentation of planned project expenses including expense description, dollar amount, and vendor. We encourage you to use Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce members whenever possible. (10 points)
Vendor / Expense / Dollar Amount
Vendor / Expense / Dollar Amount
Vendor / Expense / Dollar Amount
RECOGNITION. Describe how you will acknowledge the Clear Lake Tourism Office for supporting this project? (5 points)
Reimbursement Agreement
Grant funds are reimbursed after the approved marketing project is complete. You must provide proof of payment for eligible expenses. Acceptable proof includes: a cancelled check, or a credit card statement and the cancelled check showing that the credit card statement has been paid. By submitting this application, I agree to: Submit invoices for eligible project expenses and proof of payments totaling at least the grant award plus a 25% cash match. Provide examples of how the Clear Lake Tourism Office’s investment was acknowledged (logo inclusion, mention in ads, etc.). Submit a final report within 45 days after the completion of the project. Reimbursement will be released once all required reports, invoices, and proofs of payment have been submitted and verified.
Signature
Submit
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