Partner Resources

Grant and Sponsorship Programs

Explore Visit Gainesville, Alachua County Grant and Sponsorship Programs
The mission of program support funded through Visit Gainesville, Alachua County is to promote and enhance the thriving tourism industry in the destination. Funding opportunities are aimed at supporting local non-profit organizations, municipalities, event producers, and more, with the goal of generating tourism, increasing economic development, encouraging community engagement, and enhancing the visitor experience in Alachua County. The initiatives empower you to create memorable events, festivals, and projects that highlight the unique attractions and culture of our region and to market and advertise them to attract visitors from outside Alachua County to the event.

All grant and sponsorships are offered to aid in the operations and promotions of events that have, as one of their main purposes, the attraction of tourists as evidenced by the promotion of the event to tourists. Applicants must be a legally established organization producing activities for public participation in Alachua County. A copy of Active Status from Sunbiz.org must be attached to the application. Grant and event sponsorships require documented out-of-county marketing utilizing the Visit Gainesville, Alachua County logo, along with other stipulations for funding. To receive an application, and for complete details, email [email protected] for more information.

Nature and Culture Destination Enhancement Grant

The Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau is now accepting applications for the Nature and Culture Destination Enhancement Grant. This grant supports events taking place between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026.

The grant applications deadline was Friday, August 22, 2025.

Please note:  Applicants must provide documentation of IRS-recognized non-profit, tax-exempt status. If your cultural event or festival occurs before October 1, 2025, or if this is your first time applying, please email [email protected] to request a Special Event Sponsorship application.
Download the Nature and Culture Destination Enhancement Grant Application (docx)
Download the Nature and Culture Destination Enhancement Grant Application (pdf)

Addenda:
FY26-ncde-addendum-1 July 29 2025.docx
FY26-ncde-addendum-1 July 29 2025.pdf

FY26-ncde-addendum-2-July 30 2025.docx
FY26-ncde-addendum-2-July 30 2025.pdf

Special Event Sponsorships
Events and festivals are crucial to the implementation of tourism marketing in Alachua County, and dozens of local organizers and event producers are supported through Visit Gainesville, Alachua County special event sponsorships annually. Festivals attract visitors, and the economic impact visitors bring positively impacts local businesses in a myriad of ways, including admission fees, lodging and transportation for festival talent and producers, parking, food, beverage, merchandise sales, and more. If you are planning a special event or festival with the goal of attracting audience members, please reach out to [email protected] for a Special Event Sponsorship application.

Meeting Advantage Program / Conference Grant
Meetings and conferences that utilize hotel block rooms are supported by grants of up to $10,000 per conference based on production of conference-based room nights. If you are planning a conference or meeting with hotel room blocks for attendees, please reach out to [email protected] for a Meeting Advantage Program application.

Cooperative Billboard Advertising Program
This program assists in funding for qualifying billboards to advertise tourism-focused businesses, with the goal of creating a leading presence as a visitor-focused destination in the regional trade area, helping to create a strong presence for Alachua County among the millions of drivers along I-75.

Grants to Small Towns and Municipalities
This program supports tourism funding for special events and festivals created and managed by small towns and cities including the City of Alachua, City of Archer, City of Hawthorne, City of High Springs, Town of La Crosse, Town of Micanopy, City of Newberry, and the City of Waldo. If you are planning a special event or festival for a municipality, please reach out to [email protected] for a Grants to Small Towns and Municipalities application.

Local Sports Destination Enhancement Grant – Applications now open
The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners is seeking applications for the Local Sports Destination Enhancement Grant Program supporting sporting events occurring between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026.

Completed applications must be dropped off in person no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, November 21, 2025 at the Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau, 33 North Main Street, Gainesville, Florida 32601. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Download the Local Sports Destination Enhancement Grant Application (docx)
Download the Local Sports Destination Enhancement Grant Application (pdf)

Agencies must provide documented IRS non-profit, tax-exempt status. A copy of Active Status from Sunbiz.org must be attached to the application. Grant applications open once per year. If you would like to receive an application, please email [email protected].

Please Note: A complete list of application criteria, requirements, funding request amounts, allowable expenditures, credit attribution requirements and additional guidelines are available on the grant and sponsorship applications.