Event Support Grants

Visit Canton, the tourism marketing organization for Stark County, Ohio, offers a competitive Event Support Grant Program designed to bolster economic development and increase tourism in the region. This grant program is part of Visit Canton's broader efforts to support events and initiatives that contribute to measurable visitation and economic impact. Funds are awarded annually and are specifically tied to the year and project outlined in the submitted application. Importantly, funding in one year does not guarantee continued support in subsequent years, even for ongoing or related projects. The Event Support Grant is available to support a broad range of events such as conferences, sporting tournaments, festivals, reunions, tradeshows, and other gatherings that can attract significant attendance and overnight stays. Projects are encouraged to focus on categories including meetings and conferences, sporting events, special events and festivals, and organized group activities. Grant funds may be used to cover a variety of costs, including transportation, hospitality services, and venue rentals, but must exclude direct expenditures on Visit Canton Official Travel Guide advertising or sponsored content on VisitCanton.com. These types of advertising may be part of the applicant's marketing plan for match purposes, but grant funds cannot be used to pay for them directly. To be eligible for the Event Support Grant, proposed projects must generate a minimum economic impact equivalent to either 200 hotel room nights or 400-day visitors within Stark County. All projects must take place within the 2025 calendar year, and grant applications must be submitted at least 60 days in advance of the event’s start date. Events scheduled during specific blackout dates—June 13-19, July 17-20, or July 30–August 4, 2025—are not eligible for funding. These dates are excluded to avoid competition with high-volume periods or major local events. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis and may fund up to 50% of qualifying hospitality or marketing expenses. Evaluation criteria include the total available grant budget, volume of eligible applications, estimated economic impact, and the applicant's demonstrated ability to plan and execute professional-caliber events. Review and selection are managed by the Event Support Grant Committee. Applications for 2025 events officially open on October 1, 2024. While the grant cycle is not rolling, applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until funds are exhausted. All interested applicants must ensure submission at least 60 days prior to their event start date to be eligible. Currently, applications for 2025 are no longer being accepted. Event organizers interested in future funding opportunities are encouraged to reach out to Visit Canton staff. For questions about eligibility or to begin the application process for future events, applicants should contact Mary Vlahos at maryv@visitcanton.com. General inquiries can also be directed to Community Promotions Manager Allison Gromofsky at allisong@visitcanton.com or by phone at 330.542.6375.

Submit at least 60 days before the event. Events during blackout dates are ineligible. Contact Visit Canton early for assistance.