Travel Nevada Rural Marketing Grant Program

The Travel Nevada Rural Marketing Grant is administered by the Nevada Division of Tourism, a department within the broader Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, tasked with advancing statewide tourism as a key strategy for enhancing Nevada’s economic vitality. With a legislative mandate under NRS 231.260, the Division is authorized to provide grants and matching funds to qualifying local and regional entities that actively promote travel and tourism within the state. The grant serves as a strategic investment in marketing initiatives aimed at stimulating visitation and bolstering the tourism economy in Nevada’s rural communities. For fiscal year 2027, the program will distribute $1.5 million in matching grants. Applicants are required to provide a minimum match of 50% of the total project cost through cash or in-kind contributions. A reduced minimum match of 20% may be acceptable but must be justified within the budget submission. Certain territory organizations are exempt from the match requirement, including Cowboy Country, Las Vegas Territory, Nevada’s Indian Territory, Nevada Silver Trails, Pony Express Territory, and Reno-Tahoe Territory. Projects must be completed and funds expended within the project period of July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. Eligible applicants include official Travel Nevada Territory organizations, local and tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations located in communities with a population under 100,000, based on 2020 census data. All applicants must be domestic, Nevada-based entities and in good standing with any current contracts or agreements with the state. Eligible projects span various tourism marketing efforts, including paid advertising, public relations, travel trade participation, development of organizational assets, and market research. Funding cannot be used for capital improvements, staff salaries, administrative overhead, or political activities, among other restrictions. The application process is facilitated through the Submittable online platform. Applicants must create or use an existing account to complete and submit applications. Required application components include a detailed project summary, narrative scope of work, evaluation plan, budget with match documentation, project timeline, three letters of community support (including one from the relevant Territory Organization), and optional partnership letters. Media Licensing Agreements are also necessary when applicable. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. PST on March 13, 2026. Applications are evaluated based on criteria such as alignment with Travel Nevada’s strategic objectives, project feasibility, collaborative partnerships, inclusivity, quality and consistency of messaging, and the potential for economic impact. Grant awards are subject to final approval by the Nevada Commission on Tourism and may not equal the amount requested. Awardees are required to submit quarterly progress reports, participate in a mid-year check-in, and provide a final evaluation report by June 30, 2027. All reimbursements must be submitted through Submittable and include full documentation of expenses and match. Projects involving media production must comply with the Media Licensing Agreement, granting Travel Nevada unlimited rights to use final materials. Noncompliance with reporting or project execution requirements may result in penalties, including ineligibility for future funding.

Priority given to concise, measurable plans aligned with Travel Nevada strategy and supported by strong community endorsements.