Marketing Leverage Grant Application

Application Overview

Thank you for your interest in Stafford County Tourism's Marketing Leverage Grant Program. We appreciate your organization's commitment to marketing initiatives that attract visitors, strengthen the local economy, and enhance the community. The following information outlines the purpose, eligibility requirements, and funding priorities for the this grant program.

The purpose of the Marketing Leverage Grant Program is to support high-impact marketing efforts that promote Stafford as a destination, attract new visitors, and drive visitor spending, prioritizing campaigns, projects, and initiatives with strong potential for tourism-related return on investment.
Read Full Grant Program Details Here
Basic Application Criteria
- Minimum requirement for reimbursement: Marketing must target audiences 50+ miles from Stafford County and aim to attract out-of-county and out-of-state visitors
- Marketing messaging is for attendance at a Stafford County event or visitation to a Stafford County Tourism asset
- Maximum funding: $10,000 per fiscal year
- Submission deadline: applications must be submitted three (3) months before the date of the start of the campaign, project, or initiative

Applicant Information
Applicant Name

First NameLast Name
Applicant Job Title
Contact Email
example@example.com
Business/Organization Name
Business/Organization Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Business/Organization Mailing Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Please provide a brief description of your business/organization.
Please provide your business's or organization's mission statement and describe its primary goals and objectives.
Is the campaign, project, or initiative's Primary Contact different than the information provided above?
Primary Contact Name

First NameLast Name
Primary Contact Job Title
Primary Contact Email
example@example.com
Primary Contact Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

Campaign, Project or Initiative Details
Campaign, project, or initiative title.
Please select the start and ends dates for the campaign, project, or initiative.
Please provide a detailed description of the campaign, project, or initiative.
Describe the campaign, project, or initiative’s target audience.
Which marketing channels will be used? (Select all that apply.)
How will the requested funds be used for print publications and/or printed materials? Please specify the publication(s) and/or materials (e.g., newspapers, newsletters, flyers, brochures, posters, banners, signage).
How will the requested funds be used for digital advertising? Please specify where the digital advertisement(s) will be placed (e.g., websites, online publications, streaming services, search engines).
How will the requested funds be used for social media advertising? Please specify the social media platform(s) where the advertisement(s) will be posted (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X).
List any campaign, project, or initiative partners and identify their role and contributions.

Campaign, Project, or Initiative Marketing Plan
Please upload the marketing plan for the campaign, project, or initiative.

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Please upload an implementation timeline for the campaign, project, or initiative.

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Please upload the campaign, project, or initiative budget.

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Please list the metrics that will be tracked and reported to measure the success of the campaign, project, or initiative.
Example: Impressions, engagement, conversions, etc.

Funding Details
List the amount the applicant is requesting for the campaign, project, or initiative.
Provide a detailed list of expenses the requested funds will cover for this campaign, project, or initiative (e.g., advertising, social media promotion, print materials, creative design).

Projected Tourism Impact
How will this campaign, project, or initiative drive tourism, travel, or business that generates visitation to Stafford County?
How will this promotion target beyond a 50-mile radius of Stafford County?
In what ways will this promotion contribute to increased visitor spending within Stafford County?
How will you track and measure the success of this campaign, project, or initiative as it relates to out-of-county visitor spending and overnight stays?

Grant Application Checklist

Please read and initial next to each line.

Rows	Initials
I am an authorized representative of the applicant and the primary contact. I understand that only I can submit the grant application, respond to questions from Stafford County Tourism, and submit the post-campaign, project, or initiative report to receive payment.
This application is being submitted at least three (3) months before the start date of the campaign, project, or initiative.
I have received, or will receive, any required Stafford County permits.
I have included all campaign, project, or initiative details, as well as the marketing plan.
I understand that all advertisements must feature the Stafford County logo and mention Stafford County Tourism in any public relations activities. The logo should be displayed either on the event website or landing page linked to the ad, or the ad must include a direct link to the Stafford County Tourism website at tourstaffordva.com. Additionally, the logo must follow the guidelines outlined in the Stafford County branding style guide.
I acknowledge that Stafford County employees, officers, contractors, subcontractors, volunteers, and agents may use, reproduce, or publish any marketing or creative materials submitted as part of this campaign, project, or initiative, including materials created by the applicant’s employees, volunteers, or collaborators.
I acknowledge that any material made or received by Stafford County in connection with my request for campaign, project, or initiative funding is a public record and subject to public inspection unless there is a legislatively created exemption that makes it confidential and not subject to disclosure. I acknowledge that I cannot dictate to Stafford County what material is open to public inspection or the circumstances under which material is deemed confidential.
I understand that funding is contingent on the submission of documentation of out-of-county marketing efforts and post-campaign, program, or initiative results.
I understand that the reimbursement request, along with all post-campaign, project, or initiative materials, must be submitted to Stafford County Tourism within 90 days of completion.
I agree that any funds I receive will be used only to reimburse approved eligible expenses.
I understand that no expenses incurred outside of the grant period will be reimbursed under any circumstances.
I understand that Stafford County Tourism will reimburse only for itemized, eligible expenses outlined in the grant application guidelines.
I understand that reimbursement will be provided only for eligible out-of-county marketing efforts, and that as the primary contact, I must clearly detail these efforts in the funding reimbursement request within the application.
I understand that I am required to include the IRS W-9 and Stafford County Vendor Form in the post-campaign, project, or initiative report.
I will provide proof of payment in the form of vendor receipts and front-and-back copies of cleared checks or credit card receipts for all reimbursement requests. Ad reimbursements must also include copies or screenshots of digital ads, copies of ad/tear sheets, and/or outreach figures identifying the number of people the ad reached.
I understand that all funds received are subject to audit by Stafford County or other representatives as Stafford County may designate.
I acknowledge that misleading or false information, or failure to track campaign, project, or initiative performance, may negatively impact current and future funding and could void post-campaign reimbursement.

I certify that all information provided in this application is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I agree to use funds solely for eligible expenses, to execute any required releases or permits, and to comply with all guidelines of Stafford County Tourism's Marketing Leverage Grant Program.
Signer Name

First NameLast Name
Date

MonthDayYear
Date
Should be Empty:

Application Overview

Applicant Information

Campaign, Project or Initiative Details

Campaign, Project, or Initiative Marketing Plan

Funding Details

Projected Tourism Impact

Grant Application Checklist