FY26-27 Visit Mason City Tourism Marketing Grant Application

Visit Mason City Tourism Marketing Grant Application

2026-2027
PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND GUIDELINES

The Visit Mason City Tourism Marketing Grant Program provides financial assistance for marketing projects that promote events, tournaments, conventions, activities, and facilities, generating visitor spending in Mason City, Iowa.

The definition of a "visitor" is a person from outside a 90-mile radius of Mason City, Iowa.

The amount of grant funds allocated directly depends on:
- The number of visitors the marketing project will attract to Mason City
- The number of days the visitors are in Mason City
- The number of hotel rooms in Mason City used by the visitors
The more visitors, the longer their visit, and the more hotel rooms utilized, the better the score of the application.

Applicants are encouraged to be visionary but practical. Visitor impact numbers within the application should be realistic and attainable. Intentionally inflated estimates will negatively affect the applicant's chances of being selected now and in the future.

Visit Mason City will follow up with lodging and tourism partners to determine if your visitor impact numbers were met.

Cost estimates and bids from third-party vendors must be included with your application. All applications must be submitted online, and all questions must be answered. Incomplete applications will be ineligible. Grants are paid as reimbursements to the contact organization upon completion of the marketing project. Grant recipients are encouraged to use local Mason City vendors when possible.

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS / USE OF FUNDING INCLUDE:
- Design, production, and placement costs for marketing that target visitors living outside a 90-mile radius of Mason City (brochures, flyers, posters, direct mail, registration materials, e-blasts, websites, print ads, radio ads, television ads, digital ads, social media ads, etc.
- Purchase of marketing lists, search engine marketing, pay-per-click marketing, Google AdWords, etc., targeting visitors who live outside a 90-mile radius of Mason City.
- Off-site signage (billboard, wayfinding, trailblaze) targeting visitors who live outside a 90-mile radius of Mason City.
- Shuttle service for tours within Mason City/Clear Lake, transportation between convention facilities used by visitors who live outside a 90-mile radius of Mason City.
- Welcome reception food (appetizers/hors d'oeuvres) and non-alcoholic beverages are provided for visitors who live outside a 90-mile radius of Mason City.
- Fees must be payable to a third-party vendor. In-kind fees are not eligible.
- Eligible projects must be completed October 1, 2026-September 30, 2027.
THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING:
- Projects that do not attract visitors, visitor spending, or use of hotel rooms to Mason City.
- Projects in which the majority of the target audience lives within a 90-mile radius of Mason City.
- Domain names, hosting fees, postage fees, and on-site signs.
- Funding for the entire organization's website versus just the tourism event page.
- Prizes and soft marketing items (t-shirts, stickers, promotional items, etc.)
- Shuttle service/transportation in which the majority of passengers are locals.
- Transportation for tours not in Mason City/Clear Lake.
- Meal, venue rental, and alcoholic beverages.
- Receptions in which the audience is largely from within a 90-mile radius of Mason City.
- Staff salaries and wages.
- In-kind services.
- Funds cannot be used to "pay" yourself (for example: reimburse your own organization for copies)
- Projects that receive funding from the Regional Sports Authority District or Meet In Iowa programs are not eligible.
- Artificial intelligence (AI)-generated images may not be used to depict Mason City attractions, events, facilities, people, or visitor experiences in marketing materials funded through this grant. AI-generated graphics or design elements that are purely decorative and do not misrepresent the destination may be permitted at the discretion of Visit Mason City. Visit Mason City reserves the right to determine whether imagery meets the intent of these guidelines and may require replacement of non-compliant images prior to reimbursement.
MAXIMUM GRANT AWARD / CASH MATCH REQUIREMENT
- Minimum Request: $100
- Maximum Request: $1,000
Grants are limited to a maximum of 50% of eligible costs or $1,000 (whichever is lowest) with a required partner cash match of at least 50%.

All funds requested must be whole numbers between $100 to $1,000 and be in increments of $25. (i.e. $100; $125; $250; $575; etc.)

TAGLINE / LOGO REQUIREMENTS

All awarded tourism marketing projects must include the following tagline: “Sponsored in part by Visit Mason City Iowa” or the Visit Mason City logo. A link to the VMC website - www.VisitMasonCityIowa.com - must also be included on the grant recipient's website.

For projects in which it is not possible to include the VMC logo or tagline (i.e., DOT signage, some digital ads, Google ad words, search engine marketing, purchase of marketing lists, etc.), the Visit Mason City logo and/or tagline with a link to www.VisitMasonCityIowa.com must be placed on the home page of the recipient's website.

For projects completed before the grant award notification, applicants must include the required logo/tagline on the project before the award announcement, regardless of funding, to be eligible for grant funds.

AWARD NOTIFICATION

Applicants will be notified regarding the grant funding status within 45 days following the application deadline.

APPLICATION ASSISTANCE

Visit Mason City staff is available by appointment (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:30 pm) to provide application assistance. To schedule an appointment, contact Visit Mason City at cvb@VisitMasonCityIowa.com or 641-422-1663 / 800-423-5724. Appointments must occur at least three business days before the application deadline. Applications received three business days (or less) before the application deadline will not be eligible for staff assistance.

EVALUATION CRITERIA
- The number of visitors attracted from outside a 90-mile radius of Mason City by the proposed marketing project.
- Number of lodging rooms generated by marketing project.
- Distribution Plan.
- Priority will be given to events that attract visitors during the "off-season" - September through May.
- Priority will be given to events that attract visitors from Monday through Thursday.
- Priority will be given to projects that focus on attracting visitors to Mason City instead of projects that focus on visitors once they have arrived.
Visit Mason City reserves the right to audit visitor impact claims.

All digital advertising reports (impressions, clicks, geographic targeting, etc.) may be requested as part of reimbursement.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

ROUND 1: 4 PM on September 30, 2026 for marketing projects completed October 1, 2026-September 30, 2027

ROUND 2: 4 PM on January 15, 2027 for marketing projects completed March 1, 2027-September 30, 2027

Incomplete applications will be ineligible for funding.
Applicant Initials
I have read and understand the program guidelines.

Applicant / Organization Information
Organization Name:
Contact Name:

First NameLast Name
Mailing Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Phone Number

Area CodePhone Number
Email
example@example.com
Website:
www.example.com

Tell us about your project or event
What are you going to market? Please provide an overview of your project / event. Be sure to include dates, location, etc. if applicable.
Select the marketing project(s) for which you are seeking funding:
Select all that apply by holding CTRL key as you click on multiple selctions
How will you use Visit Mason City grant funds?

As you continue through the next portion of application, only provide information in the sections that are applicable to you and your project(s)...
Print Projects:

Brochures, flyers, posters, direct mail pieces, registration materials, etc.
Quantity to be printed:
Distribution Start Date:

MonthDayYear
Eligible projects must be completed October 1, 2026-September 30, 2027.
Distribution End Date:

MonthDayYear
Eligible projects must be completed October 1, 2026-September 30, 2027.
Quantity to be distributed outside 90-mile radius of Mason City:
Please explain your plan for distribution:
Distribution Locations outside 90-mile radius of Mason City:
Additional info regarding print projects:
Advertising Projects:

Print, digital, radio television advertisements, videos, email marketing, social media, search engine marketing, pay-per-click campaigns, Google AdWords, etc.
Where will ad(s) be placed?
What date(s) / timeframe will the ad(s) be run?
Eligible projects must be completed October 1, 2026-September 30, 2027.
Reach / circulation outside 90-mile radius of Mason City:
Additional info regarding advertising projects:
Off-site Signage:

Billboards, way finding signs, DOT signage, billboards, etc.
Where will the sign(s) be located:
What date(s) / timeframe will the signage be posted:
Eligible projects must be completed October 1, 2026-September 30, 2027.
Reach / circulation outside 90-mile radius of Mason City:
Additional info regarding sign projects:
Website Projects:

Website design for pages promoting tourism events, tournaments, conventions, activities, and facilities
Website address:
www.example.com
Is the website currently live?
Number of pages to be created and names of pages:
When will the website / new pages be launched?
Eligible projects must be completed October 1, 2026-September 30, 2027.
How will the website/new page(s) be shared and promoted?
Additional info regarding website projects:
Transportation Services:

Shuttle service for tours within Mason City/Clear Lake, transportation between convention facilities
Date(s) and Times transportation will be provided:
Eligible projects must be completed October 1, 2026-September 30, 2027.
Destination points / details:
Number of visitors who will use this service:
Additional info regarding transportation services:
Welcome Reception:

Appetizers/ hors d'oeuvres and/or non-alcoholic beverages
Date of Event:

MonthDayYear
Eligible projects must be completed October 1, 2026-September 30, 2027.
Event Location:
Description of food / beverages to be served:
Number of attendees from outside a 90-mile radius of Mason City:
Additional info regarding welcome reception events:

Project Costs

Use the table below to list marketing project cost(s) and vendor information. Add rows as necessary.
Only include items eligible for funding from the grant program. Vendor estimates must be uploaded with your grant application. Grant recipients are encouraged to use a Mason City vendor if feasible.
Vendor Estimate(s)

Browse Files
Current estimates are required for each of the eligible expenses outlined above. Applications submitted without vendor quotes, bids, advertising rate sheets, and/or invoices will be ineligible. Total amount of the attached vendor estimates must equal or exceed the grant amount requested plus cash match. Cancelof
Total Amount of ALL Marketing Projects
Please include total for eligible expenses only.
Total Amount of Grant Request
Grant requests are limited to a maximum of 50% of total project cost up to $1,000. All funds requested must be whole numbers between $100 to $1,000 and be in increments of $25. (i.e. $100; $125; $250; $575; etc.)
Total Amount of Cash Match
Cash match must be a minimum of 50% of total project cost. Maximum amount of grant award will not exceed $1,000.
All marketing project(s) bills must be paid before August 30, 2027. Projects completed August 30-September 30 will need to be prepaid. Will your projects be paid for by August 30, 2027?

Tourism Impact

Projects funded by the VMC Tourism Marketing Grant program should focus on attracting visitors from outside a 90-mile radius of Mason City to the community.
Where will the visitors attracted by this project be coming from?
Estimate the TOTAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE who will be attracted to your venue/event as a result of this project:
Total number of attendees (local and visitors).
Percent of attendees from OUTSIDE A 90-MILE RADIUS of Mason City:
Do not enter % sign. (Example 5% would be .05)
Percent of attendees utilizing a HOTEL ROOM in Mason City:
Do not enter % sign. (Example 5% would be .05)
How many nights will HOTEL ROOMS in Mason City be utilized as a result of your project?

Sponsor Recognition

All awarded projects must include the tagline: “Sponsored in part by VisitMasonCityIowa.com” or the Visit Mason City logo. Both require a link from the recipient’s website to www.VisitMasonCityIowa.com. For projects in which a logo or tagline is not possible (example: IDOT signage, some types of online ads, Google ad words, search engine marketing, marketing lists, etc.) the Visit Mason City logo or tagline with a link from the recipient's website to www.VisitMasonCityIowa.com must be placed on the home page of the grant recipient's website. For projects completed before grant award notification, applicants will need to include logo / tagline on the project in advance of award announcement to be eligible for grant funds.
Where will the required tagline or logo be placed for each project?
APPLICATION DEADLINE

ROUND 1: 4 PM on September 30, 2026 for marketing projects completed October 1, 2026-September 30, 2027

ROUND 2: 4 PM on January 15, 2027 for marketing projects completed March 1, 2027-September 30, 2027

Incomplete applications will be ineligible for funding.
Should be Empty:

Visit Mason City Tourism Marketing Grant Application

Applicant / Organization Information

Tell us about your project or event

How will you use Visit Mason City grant funds?

Print Projects:

Advertising Projects:

Off-site Signage:

Website Projects:

Transportation Services:

Welcome Reception:

Project Costs

Tourism Impact

Sponsor Recognition