Special Event Grant Program

The Special Event Marketing Grant is a funding opportunity under the Maine Tourism Marketing Partnership Program (MTMPP), administered by the Maine Office of Tourism. It is designed to support large-scale, high-profile events that draw significant visitation to Maine, especially during the shoulder seasons, with the aim of expanding overnight stays, generating measurable economic impact, and enhancing Maine's brand visibility on both a national and international scale. The program encourages strategic marketing plans that align with the Maine Office of Tourism’s Destination Management Plan and Stewardship Principles. Eligible applicants include Maine-based nonprofits (501c3, 501c6, or L3C), municipalities, and tribal governments. Projects must be tourism-focused and target audiences located more than 50 miles away from the event location. Events must not occur within 90 days of the grant contract start date. All applicants must be in good standing with the Maine Secretary of State, unless exempt as a municipality. Past MTMPP recipients within the last six years must demonstrate a progressive evolution in strategy or new market focus, with submission of previous marketing budgets and final reports. Only two Special Event Grants are awarded each fiscal year—one per cycle—with awards ranging from $30,000 to $60,000. The program requires a 25% cash match, which must be clearly identified and documented in the project budget. Acceptable sources of match include organizational funds, sponsorships, other grant funds, and cash donations. In-kind contributions do not count toward the match requirement. All MTMPP grants are reimbursement-based, so applicants must be able to cover expenses upfront. Eligible funded activities include paid advertising (print, broadcast, digital, social media), media relations and PR, website enhancements, content creation (such as video and photography), fulfillment efforts (like brochure and map distribution), and limited administrative costs (capped at 20% of MTMPP funds). Ineligible uses of funds include new website creation and hosting, promotional products, capital or rental equipment, food, alcohol, gift cards, fundraising, and training or performance fees. Applicants must submit a complete application package with ten separate documents: a detailed project overview, board or leadership lists, a certificate of good standing, a comprehensive event marketing plan, full project budget including match sources, a project timeline, a state substitute W-9 and vendor authorization form, three letters of support (at least two from project beneficiaries), an RDMO acknowledgment letter, and a signed letter agreeing to “Rider B” contract terms. The application deadline is November 12, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., and award notifications will be sent the week of December 5, 2025. Grant contracts run from January 1 to December 31, 2026, unless otherwise negotiated. For additional guidance, applicants may contact Christine Rosen, Development Project Officer, at Christine.Rosen@maine.gov or by phone at (207) 592-6251. Program resources, including templates and tourism planning tools, are available on the MOT Partners website.

Highlight the event's past success and expansion strategy. Quantify anticipated outcomes. Ensure administrative costs are within 20% and itemized separately.