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Wisconsin Department of Tourism

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Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) Grant Program

Wisconsin nonprofit organizations can apply for grants to fund promotions or events that expand promotional efforts, attract visitors, and increase tourism spending across Wisconsin municipalities or communities. Organizations cannot apply for both JEM and Ready, Set, Go! grants for the same project during the same fiscal year. Promotional plans must align with Travel Wisconsin’s statewide marketing plan and target markets beyond the local area.


• Assistance Type: Grant
• Annual/Biennial Funding Amount: $1,130,000 annually

• Application Cycle: 

  1. Applications for New Events, Existing Events, Sales Promotions and one Time/One-of-a-kind Events grants are due quarterly on February 1, April 1, August 1, November 1 by 11:59 p.m.

  2. Applications for Destination Marketing grants are due quarterly on April 1 and September 1 by 11:59 p.m.

  3. Applications must be submitted at least 90 days prior to the day of expenditures.

  • Min./Max Award: The maximum award is $39,550 per year for two consecutive years of funding available.

  • Contact and/or Application Link:

      Heidi Schultz, Grants Coordinator

      Phone Number: (608) 261-6267

      Email Address: hshultz@travelwisconsin.com

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      Andrew Nussbaum

      Tourism Development Specialist

      Phone Number: (715) 299- 5422

      Email Address: anussbaum@travelwisconsin.com

     

      Melissa Sabel,

      Marketing Tourism Development Specialist

      Phone Number: (608) 333-1146

      Email Address: msabel@travelwisconsin.com

     

      David Spiegelberg, Tourism Development Specialist

      Phone Number: (262) 515-2806

      Email Address: dspiegelberg@travelwisconsin.com


Example of Successful Implementation: In 2023, Visit Eau Claire received $25,000.

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Below attached to the button is the link for more information regarding this program from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism website. Follow this link to learn more.

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Program Link

2

Tourist Information Center (TIC) Grant Program

The Tourist Information Center (TIC) Program is available for nonprofit tourism organizations, municipalities, or Native American tribes operating regional tourist information centers in Wisconsin. The program aims to support tourist information centers in providing reliable travel information, promoting tourism businesses, and positively impacting regional and statewide economies. However, funding cannot be used for office overhead, publications, printing, advertising, promotional items, public relations efforts, or matching funds for Joint Effort Marketing projects. Applicants must include hours/dates of operation, a listing of available publications, receipt vouchers, and payroll registers.

 

  • Assistance Type: Grant

  • Annual/ Biennial Funding Amount: $160,000 annually

  • Application Cycle: Applications are due by 11:59 PM on January 1 and July 1 for eligible expenses already incurred.

  • Min./Max Award: Up to $15,000 per organization per year, reimbursing up to 50% of eligible expenses.​

  • Contact and/or Application Link:

      Phone Number: (608) 261-6272

      Email Address: hschultz@travelwisconsin.com

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Example of Successful Implementation: In 2024, Visit Beloit received $7,500.

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Below attached to the button is the link for more information regarding this program from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism website. Follow this link to learn more.

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Program Link

3

Ready, Set, Go! (RSG) Grant Program

The Ready, Set, Go! (RSG) Grant Program is designed to assist destinations in Wisconsin to secure competitive sporting events, thereby creating economic impact and enhancing Wisconsin's competitive edge in sports marketing. This grant does not fund in-state events that are regularly scheduled or those that rotate destinations within the state. Organizations currently funded through statutorily required expenditures (earmarks) are not eligible, and those requesting this grant are not eligible for a Joint Effort Marketing grant for the same project, during the same fiscal year.

 

  • Assistance Type: Grant

  • Annual/Biennial Funding Amount: The fund has $110,000 per fiscal year available for matching grants.

  • Application Cycle: 

  1. The Department of Tourism reviews applications three times each year.

  2. The deadline for applications is 11:59 PM. February 1, April 1, September 1.

  3. The application must be received at least 90 days prior to the event.

  • Min./Max Award: Amount available per destination/per request is 50 percent of a bid fee or 50 percent of other allowable site/venue/municipal fees, up to a maximum of $30,000 during the State fiscal year.

  • Contact and/or Application Link:

      Phone Number: (608) 261-6272

      Email Address: hschultz@travelwisconsin.com
 

Example of Successful Implementation: In 2023, La Crosse Convention and Visitors Bureau received two grants totaling $30,000.

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Below attached to the button is the link for more information regarding this program from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism website. Follow this link to learn more.

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Program Link

4

Meetings Mean Business! (MMB) Grants Program

The Meetings Mean Business (MMB) Grants Program can help achieve the goal of attracting meetings and conventions, generating economic impact, and raising destination profiles among event planners by providing financial assistance for facility costs or to host destination expenses to bid for regional and national meetings or conventions. The goal of the program is to attract meetings and conventions, generate economic impact from increased room nights and visitor spending, raising destination profiles among event planners, and fostering sponsorship and partnerships for conventions.

 

  • Assistance Type: Grant

  • Annual/Biennial Funding Amount: The fund has $110,000 per fiscal year available for matching grants.

  • Application Cycle:

  1. Applications must be submitted at least 90 days prior to the event.

  2. Deadlines for applications are January 1, April 1, and September 1. All applications are due by 11:59 PM.

  3. The Tourism Development Specialists and Grants Coordinator are available to review grant applications before the final submission.

  4. To ensure the best MMB grant application possible, feedback and support are offered throughout the entire process.

  • Min./Max Award: Destinations may apply for 50 percent of the costs for convention facility rental, in-community convention transportation or host costs, up to a maximum of $30,000 during the State fiscal year.

  • Contact and/or Application Link:

      Phone Number: (608) 261-6272

      Email Address: hschultz@travelwisconsin.com


Example of Successful Implementation: In 2022, the Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau received $10,000.

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Below attached to the button is the link for more information regarding this program from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism website. Follow this link to learn more.

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Program Link

Wisconsin Department of Tourism

The button below will bring you to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism website to find more information regarding the application process for the programs listed above.

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