Grant Program Guidelines and Application
Click here to download Guidelines and Application.

The Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau was established in 1988 to increase tourism and economic activity in Newton through the promotion of visitor activities.  To achieve this purpose, the Convention & Visitors Bureau provides many promotional services and resources at no cost.  When, however, a group needs support beyond our standard services, a request for promotional funding assistance can be made to the Grant Advisory Committee of the Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau. 

The Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau grants a total of $1000.00 to projects within the calendar year, January 1st through December 31st. Requests will be considered based on their merit and the availability of funds.  As the grant dollars are depleted, new applications will not be eligible for that calendar year.

Deadline:
Applications must be received (not postmarked) in the Newton CVB office at least 90 (ninety) days prior to the event and disbursement of funds.  Applications received less than 90 (ninety) days prior to an event will be automatically disqualified.

Eligible Applicants:

1. Organization planning the event must be a registered non-profit.
2. Organization can be from any city or state, with first priority given to those located in Newton, Iowa. 

Requirements and Criteria:

1. Grant Program Applications must be typed.
2. A total of 4 (four) copies of the Grant Program Application and all supporting materials must be received (not postmarked) in the Newton CVB office by the 90-day deadline as outlined above.
3. Eligible organizations must submit a copy of their operating budget (including in-kind matches) and general information on the event. This narrative description should specify how grant revenues will be used, describe how and where the event will be promoted, and how the event is expected to impact overnight tourism in Newton (for example, what portion of the attendance is from outside Newton?).
4. A plan of where the money will be used must be included with the Grant Program Application.  If grant monies will be spent on advertising, then quoted estimates on advertising costs must be included with the application materials if applicable.  A mock-up of the advertisement is required with the Grant Program Application.
5. Grants may not be used to pay for local advertising, as the intent of the Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau’s grant funding is to bring visitors to the community from outside the immediate geographic area.
6. At a minimum, projects must contain the “Newton…We Saved a Place for YOU” logo OR the tagline “This project is sponsored in part by the Newton Convention and Visitors Bureau,” OR both the logo and tagline.  The Newton CVB logo is available upon request.
7. All grants awarded must be used for event promotion and must be matched (at a minimum) dollar for dollar by the organization or another source.  Letters of Intent for local matches must be included in your supportive documents. 
8. Approved applications may not be awarded the full funding amount requested; therefore applicants must have a contingency plan for additional funding included with the grant application.  Grant amounts will not exceed $200.00 per project. 
9. Grants will not be awarded to past projects awarded within the last two calendar years or to repay past debts.

Grant recipients are required to submit a Project Evaluation of their use of grant monies within 45 (forty-five) days after the completion of the event, stating how the event impacted the community, approximate number of visitors, room nights, etc.  All grants will be fulfilled by direct payment from the Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau to the grant recipient after said Project Evaluation has been received within the required 45 (forty-five) days after the completion of the event.    

Notification:
Applicants will be notified within one week of the CVB Board Meeting held after receipt of the Grant Program Application regarding the funding award.

For more information/questions:
Contact Linda L. Bacon, Executive Director, at the Newton Convention and Visitors Bureau.