Tourism Grant Program

The Northampton County Tourism Grant Program is a locally administered initiative designed to enhance tourism-related infrastructure and events in Northampton County, Virginia. Managed by the Northampton County Tourism Grant Committee, the program is funded by a dedicated portion of the county's 3% Transient Occupancy Tax, with 15% of these funds allocated specifically for tourism development projects. For Fiscal Year 2026, the estimated budget for the program is $140,500. This funding is aimed at supporting projects that align with and advance the Tourism Strategy developed by the Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission. Priority is given to proposals that bolster off-peak (September through May) tourism and multi-year initiatives to help stabilize and grow the county's tourism economy during slower seasons. Applicants may include nonprofits, community or service organizations, municipalities, and private individuals or businesses. While nonprofits receive priority, private entities are also encouraged to apply if their proposals are aligned with the grant’s core tourism goals. The program emphasizes partnerships between private and nonprofit organizations, and in such cases, a Letter of Intent from the nonprofit partner must be included in the application. All funded proposals must enhance Northampton County’s image and appeal as a tourist destination and should include a creative marketing plan designed to reach audiences beyond the local region. Special consideration is given to projects that are innovative, physically enhance tourism infrastructure, and improve the accessibility and visibility of the region to a wider audience. The submission process involves completing an official application and submitting it, along with four copies, to the Northampton County Administration by the close of business on April 17, 2026. Application packets can be requested from the County Administrator’s Office. The program does not require a pre-application phase, and applicants may be contacted for further information or presentations. Grants will be awarded by May 8, 2026. Successful applicants must submit a final report detailing expenditures and metrics related to project impact, including any promotional materials attributing support to Northampton County. Evaluation criteria include the project’s compatibility with the adopted tourism strategy, its innovation, reach, accessibility, readiness, and long-term sustainability. The Committee gives particular attention to the expected return on investment in terms of tourism-related tax revenue, such as Transient Occupancy, Sales, and Food & Beverage taxes. Funded activities are expected to acknowledge county support by including attribution in all advertisements, signage, and marketing collateral. Logos and templates are provided to recipients to ensure consistent branding. The grant supports both infrastructure and event-related tourism enhancements. For infrastructure projects, applicants must provide a detailed cost estimate, timeline, and information about long-term maintenance and sustainability. For events, marketing strategies, recurrence potential, and cross-promotional value with other local activities are weighed. All projects must be completed in accordance with ADA accessibility guidelines and should be ready to begin implementation soon after award notification. This grant program does not serve as a long-term funding solution, and applicants are expected to outline a plan for achieving self-sufficiency within three years. High-impact projects with strong results may be considered for continued support if they continue to meet all evaluation criteria in subsequent cycles.

Emphasize off-peak or multi-year impact. Partnering with nonprofits enhances eligibility. Show ROI via tourism tax revenue.