WRACVB Tourism Grants

The Wisconsin Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (WRACVB), an independent nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization, serves as the primary tourism and destination marketing agency for Wisconsin Rapids and surrounding areas in southern Wood County. It also supports northern Adams County through its internal entity, the Wisconsin Rapids Area Sports Commission (WRASC). Leveraging a portion of local room tax revenue, the WRACVB administers its Tourism Development Grant Fund to foster the growth of visitor-serving attractions and amenities that stimulate the local economy. Through this initiative, WRACVB helps organizations generate increased tourism activity that results in overnight stays and supports broader community engagement goals. The Tourism Development Grant is designed to support costs related to the development or enhancement of tourism-related amenities within the WRACVB service area. Grant funds may be used for projects that attract out-of-area visitors and create immersive, hands-on experiences. Qualifying initiatives include facility upgrades, the creation of promotional materials targeting audiences beyond Wood and Adams Counties, and costs associated with submitting bids or proposals for conferences or sporting events. Applicants must demonstrate a clear intent to enhance the visitor experience or draw tourism revenue, and the projects should have the potential to positively affect a wide range of local businesses. Grants are capped at $2,500 and are awarded on a competitive basis through an annual application cycle. The deadline for submission is the last day of February. Each project must be completed within twelve months of award notification. The WRACVB staff first reviews applications for completeness and may contact applicants for clarification. Complete applications are then evaluated by the WRACVB Tourism Development Grant Committee, which includes representatives from the sports and arts communities. Final award decisions are made by the WRACVB Board of Directors, and written notifications are sent to all applicants after the board’s vote. All funding decisions are final, and successful applicants are not guaranteed future support. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit or government entities that are community-focused and located within municipalities that have formally affiliated with the WRACVB by adopting a room tax ordinance in support of the Bureau. For-profit businesses are not eligible to apply. Ineligible uses of funds include operating costs, endowment campaigns, political activities, debt reduction, research, travel, or general overhead expenses. Additionally, organizations that engage in discriminatory practices or those whose primary function is political or legislative advocacy are excluded from consideration. Evaluation criteria include whether the applicant is located within the WRACVB service area, the project's ability to draw overnight visitors, potential for economic impact across local businesses, alignment with WRACVB goals, and innovation or uniqueness. Preference is given to projects that occur during the off-peak season (November through May), include matching funds from the applicant, and demonstrate long-term sustainability. The quality and completeness of the application also influence the evaluation score. Recipients of the Tourism Development Grant are required to maintain detailed records, submit final reports with invoices and receipts, and credit WRACVB in all promotional efforts. They must also submit promotional content for approval, survey at least 10% of attendees, and provide a final summary within 30 days of the project's conclusion. WRACVB offers additional support through promotional channels, assistance with media outreach, and vendor payments if needed. Applicants with questions are encouraged to contact WRACVB Executive Director Meredith Kleker at [email protected] or call 715-422-4651.