Tourist Development Council Grant Program

The Tourist Development Council (TDC) Grants Program, administered by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, offers quarterly grant funding to support projects that enhance Miami-Dade County's image as a tourist destination. This funding program supports sports, cultural, and special events with the goal of attracting tourists, encouraging overnight stays in the county, and fostering growth in the tourism and hospitality industries. The program is available to nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, and units of local government that meet specific eligibility requirements. The program operates on a quarterly cycle, with application deadlines based on when the proposed project takes place. Deadlines are: July 14, 2025 (for projects from October 1–December 31), October 14, 2025 (January 1–March 31), January 14, 2026 (April 1–June 30), and April 13, 2026 (July 1–September 30). Late submissions will not be accepted. Funding caps vary by project size: up to $5,000 for projects under $50,000; up to $10,000 for those between $50,001 and $100,000; up to $25,000 for projects between $100,001 and $250,000; and up to $35,000 for projects exceeding $250,000. All applicants must provide a 1:1 match, with at least 50% in cash and no more than 25% of in-kind contributions. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, local government entities, and certain for-profits with less than a three-year track record in the county. Projects must take place in Miami-Dade County and serve both residents and visitors. Ineligible applicants include religious organizations promoting sectarian content, educational institutions offering academic-focused programs, and organizations not in good standing with Florida’s Division of Corporations. Fiscal sponsorships are permitted in limited cases. Events focused solely on local community benefit without tourism impact are not eligible. Applicants must attend a mandatory pre-application workshop or consultation before submitting their proposals. Applications are submitted via SurveyMonkey Apply through the Department’s grants portal. A two-part process is required: (1) submission of a Grant Eligibility and Request Form for administrative review, followed by (2) access to the full grant application. Returning applicants may optionally request a courtesy review if submitted one week before the deadline. Eligible expenses include personnel, marketing, venue rental, insurance, supplies, and production costs. Ineligible uses include travel outside Miami-Dade County, lobbying, grant writing, capital construction, indirect overhead, or items unrelated to the event. Funded projects must be promoted publicly and credit the County. Funds are awarded on a reimbursement basis, and final reports with proof of expenditures must be submitted within 45 days of project completion. Applications are reviewed through a competitive process with evaluations based on tourism impact, hotel bookings, marketing reach, fiscal responsibility, and ADA compliance. The TDC, a nine-member advisory board, makes final recommendations to the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners. The next expected deadline is October 14, 2025, for second-quarter projects occurring January–March 2026.

All applicants must attend a mandatory workshop. First-time applicants receive automatic full review; returning applicants may opt for a courtesy review one week before the deadline.