Tourism Marketing Grant Program Application

Step 1 of 2

2026 Tourism Grant Program Guidelines

Eligibility
1. Applicants must be registered nonprofits
2. Projects or events must take place within Gilmer County and promote Gilmer County as a preferred visitor destination and boost overnight stays
3. All projects must be completed by December 31, 2026
Application
1. Applications will only be accepted via the application form on the Gilmer Chamber website
2. Applications will only be reviewed if all required documentation is included
Peak Visitor Periods
1. Applications will not be considered for funding if the event occurs during the following:
  1. Memorial Day Weekend
  2. Independence Day Weekend
  3. Labor Day Weekend
  4. Thanksgiving Weekend
  5. Christmas Week
Eligible Expenses
1. Projects/events funded by this grant must:
  1. Target an audience located more than 50 miles outside of Gilmer County
  2. Use all awarded funds for marketing efforts, including but not limited to:
    1. Paid social media or other digital advertising
    2. Flyers, billboards, and other out-of-home placements
    3. Television, podcast, radio, and streaming ads
  3. Recognize Gilmer Chamber’s tourism entity, Pick Ellijay, as an event sponsor at a level equal to the amount of funds awarded. For example, if a project is awarded $2,000 and that amount is equivalent to a gold-level sponsor, the project should list Pick Ellijay as a gold-level sponsor.
  4. Feature the Pick Ellijay logo on all promotional materials. Online material must include a link to PickEllijay.com.
Ineligible Expenses
1. Examples of ineligible expenses include but are not limited to:
  1. Administrative and operational costs
  2. Private or members-only events
  3. Advertising that primarily reaches Gilmer County and its residents
  4. Additional non-marketing expenses
  5. Fees paid to third-party vendors, consultants, or professional services
  6. Mileage or gas expenses due to the distribution of materials
  7. Items for resale and gift cards
  8. Food or alcoholic beverages
Funding
1. Applicants can request up to $2,500 per event application. Higher amounts may be considered.
2. Funds will be disbursed as reimbursement for the approved expenses upon completion of the event. To be eligible for reimbursement, a completed post-event report must be submitted and approved within 60 days of event completion. (See Post Event Reporting)
3. Applications may not receive grant funding for the same event from other organizations.
4. Any funds granted will be subject to audit.
Evaluation
1. Applications will be evaluated by the Chamber’s Tourism Grant Committee, which includes representatives from the city of Ellijay, city of East Ellijay, and Gilmer County.
2. Applications will be assessed to confirm eligibility for funding. Each application will be evaluated using the Grant Review Score Sheet according to the criteria below:
  1. Generation of overnight stays during non-peak periods
  2. Visitor appeal and event uniqueness
  3. Event description, goals, and public health/safety plan
  4. Marketing and branding
Post-Event Reporting
1. Applicants must submit a post-event report within 60 days of the event’s completion. Failure to do so may result in disqualification from future support. The post-event report should include the following:
  1. Invoices for eligible expenses, along with proof of payment such as cleared checks or itemized credit card receipts.
  2. Copies of marketing or advertising materials and social media showing approved logo usage.

Organization Information

Organization Name(Required)

EIN(Required)

Organization Website

Organization Contact(Required)

First Last

Mailing Address(Required)

Street Address City State ZIP Code

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Event Summary

Event Name(Required)

Event Start Date(Required)

Event Start Time(Required)

Event End Date(Required)

Event End Time(Required)

Total Expected Event Attendance(Required)

Out of Town Visitors, Gilmer County Residents, Vendors/Exhibitors, Participants, and Staff

Event Location(Required)

Event Address(Required)

Street Address City State ZIP Code

Event Description(Required)

If additional space is required to describe your event goals, public health and safety plan, or related information, please upload the document under “Additional Documents”.

Event Goals(Required)

Include clear and measurable goals to attract overnight visitors and the anticipated impact on tourism in Gilmer County. If additional space is required to describe your event goals, public health and safety plan, or related information, please upload the document under “Additional Documents”.

Event Public Health & Safety Plan:

Has this event received funds from the Tourism Grant Program in the past?(Required)

Yes

Name and date of the project/event that previously received funding:(Required)

Amount of Grant Funding Requested?(Required)

The amount requested should equal the total marketing budget listed below

Marketing Budget

Please list event marketing expenses below, leave blank if not applicable.

Banners

Billboards

Brochures

Digital Adversiting

Magazine

Newspaper

Posters

Radio

Social Media

Television

Website

Total:

Marketing and Branding

Describe the event marketing plan

IMPORTANT NOTE: All promotional materials must feature the Pick Ellijay logo. Online materials should also include a link to the PickEllijay.com website. Before production, a draft or design proof of these materials must be submitted for approval. Upload all proofs for promotional materials below:

Drop files here or

Max. file size: 50 MB.

Additional documents [optional]

If additional space is required to describe your event goals, public health and safety plan, or related information, please upload the document here.

Drop files here or

Max. file size: 50 MB.

Signature

Signed by(Required)

First Last

Title

Signature(Required)