Discover Manitowoc Grant

The Discover Manitowoc Grant is an annual funding program offered through a partnership between the City of Manitowoc’s Department of Tourism, Visit Manitowoc, and the City of Manitowoc Room Tax Commission. Designed to stimulate local tourism, the grant provides financial assistance to organizers of events and projects that have the potential to attract overnight visitors to the City of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The central aim is to increase visitation through effective and targeted marketing strategies, thereby supporting the local economy and enhancing the city’s profile as a tourist destination. To be eligible, applicants must propose a well-organized event or project located within the City of Manitowoc that contributes to overnight stays at local lodging establishments. Preference is given to initiatives that bring in attendees from beyond northeast Wisconsin, especially those with unique characteristics or strong marketing plans. The program is open to both new and existing events, although considerations are made based on whether the event is newly developed or recurring. Events are also evaluated based on their venue location within city limits, the experience of the organizing team, and the proposed effectiveness of their promotional and reporting plans. Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive application, which includes an event summary, budget breakdown, estimated attendance, and projected room nights. All applications for the 2026 cycle must be submitted by email to Visit Manitowoc’s Director of Tourism, Courtney Hansen, by February 15, 2026. Alongside the application, applicants may be required to complete a Special Events Application depending on the nature of their proposal. Once submitted, applications are reviewed competitively by both the Visit Manitowoc Board and the Room Tax Commission. Applicants will also be invited to attend commission meetings to present their projects and respond to questions during the evaluation process. Funding awards are subject to availability, and projects are eligible to receive support for a maximum of three years. The program emphasizes leveraging of additional funds, meaning applicants are encouraged to demonstrate diversified funding sources and an ability to secure financial support beyond the grant itself. Events selected for funding must also acknowledge Visit Manitowoc as a sponsor, including its logo on all promotional materials. Following the event, grant recipients must submit a post-event report within 60 days. This report is submitted via an online form and should detail general accounting, event results, attendance metrics, and room night generation. Failure to meet reporting requirements may result in ineligibility for future funding. For any inquiries about the program or application process, applicants are encouraged to contact Courtney Hansen at [email protected] or by phone at (920) 973-9508.

Focus on unique events that bring in overnight visitors; detail marketing and effectiveness plans.