Local non-profit groups and event organizers have until 5 p.m. Friday to submit applications for Starkville Convention and Visitors Bureau’s annual sponsorship grants.
The yearly SCVB awards are given to establish long-term, self-supporting tourism and community development projects that boost the city’s and county’s economy and improve its quality of life.
Winning applications may receive up to three years of financial support, and then projects have the opportunity to transition into receiving sustaining grant funding if they’re deemed to have significant local impact.
Only projects or events proposed for the upcoming fiscal year, running Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, 2017, will be considered. Grant applications must include a marketing plan, which lists all proposed promotions and advertising, and a budget.
A link to an online application, grant program guidelines and sample marketing and budget documentation is available at StarkvilleCVBGrants.com.
Award winners are typically announced at the end of a 30-day review process, Greater Starkville Development Partnership Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Gregory said.
“SCVB has just recently started producing its own tourism programs and events. Even though its started taking on that role, it’s always been important to us that we support financial groups that make Starkville a better place in terms of the economy and quality of life,” Gregory said. “These funds not only help get events off the ground with seed money, but it is our hope that they become part of the community’s event calendar on a permanent basis.”
SCVB’s grant program has awarded approximately $750,000 in the last 12 years. Recipients include Starkville Community Day, Mississippi Horse Park, Starkville Area Arts Council, Starkville Central Neighborhood Foundation, Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum, Starkville-MSU Symphony, Starkville Community Theater and Starkville Soccer Association.
For more information on the SCVB sponsorship grant, call 662-323-3322 or email Gregory at [email protected].
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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