The Greater Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMVCVB) is pleased to announce that their FY25 mini-grant applications cycle is now open through the deadline of Friday, January 31st at 5pm EST. For the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2025. All projects must be invoiced from the vendor to GMVCVB no later than May 15, 2025.

The GMVCVB plays a vital role in promoting the region as a year-round leisure, sports, educational, and business travel destination. Our region has a lot to offer both domestic and international visitors, including history, culture, cuisine, fairs, festivals and outdoor activities. By focusing on the 21 cities and towns in the GMVCVB region, the GMVCVB works to support marketing efforts of local organizations and businesses that align with its mission of generating revenue through tourism. This collaborative approach helps to showcase the area’s attractions, events, and services, boosting local economies.

GMVCVB is designated as a Regional Tourism Council (RTC). The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is divided into sixteen individual tourism regions and each region is marketed by the designated RTC, a nonprofit, membership-based organization. RTCs develop regional advertising, public relations, networking and education as well as hosted buyer programs (familiarization “FAM” tours), attend trade shows to sell the region to international, national and bus tour and educational operators. The GMVCVB is busy with initiatives to market the region through the year with grant funding from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT).

The GMVCVB will consider mini-grant applications for advertising projects devoted to marketing an event, attraction, business, service, or cultural offering. The marketing project must be targeted, at least partially, at potential visitors to our area. (“Visitor” is defined as one who travels more than 50 miles or who stays overnight.) The mini-grant applicant does not need to be a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Mini Grant Program

Organization Information

Address
Address
Address Line 1
Address Line 2
City
State/Province
Zip/Postal

Repeater

Are you a current member/partner of GMVCVB?

If you are unsure of your partnership status, please reach out to Vanessa Hayward, Deputy Director, Memberships & Events, vhayward@merrimackvalley.org 978-770-2732. Or select unsure and a staff member will contact you.

 
 
Are you a non-profit or for-profit organization?
Size of mini-grants: Grants of $1,000 - $10,000 will be awarded during this grant cycle. Non-profit organizations: grants will cover up to 25% of your advertising campaign, not to exceed $10,000 of grant funds. (example: apply for a project that totals $50K, and you can receive $10K in grant funds. Apply for a project that totals $10K, and you can receive $2500 in grant funds.) For-profit organizations: grants will cover up to 10% of your advertising campaign, not to exceed $10,000 of grant funds. We will not reimburse for advertising contracted for or run prior to the award of your mini-grant. Please read the FAQs for additional details.

I. Project Information

Mission Statement of Organization

II. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

Is this a new marketing project for your organization?

Please answer each question individually and completely or your application will be declined:

If the project is a printed publication, video tape, etc.

If the project is advertising: print, radio, TV, etc.

$
0 of 1000 max words

If the project is a special event or activity.

$
Are there private sponsors?

III. EXPECTED OF MARKETING INITIATIVE COMPLETION / EVENT DATE

Deadline: All mini-grant applications must be submitted to the CVB and on or before Friday, January, 31st, 2025 5pm EST. No applications will be accepted after this date/time. 

Production Costs

Put each type of insertion at each publication or media outlet as a separate line item. (eg, if you are placing print and digital ads with the same publication, list each as a separate line item). If you are running social media ads, list each channel separately. Click the “Add” below the form to add a new item.

Production Costs

$
$
Have you received a grant from the Greater Merrimack Valley CVB in the past?

Authorize

*Required Matching Amount*

If the total production cost exceeds the 10-25% requirement of funding that the GMVCVB will be able to provide “if approved”, what amount additionally, can your organization distribute to aid in promotion and marketing?

$
*Please note, if approved this will be a matching grant

I have read and agree with the requirements pertaining to the receipt of matching grant money from the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau.  I understand that organizations receiving grant money will be responsible for adhering to all guidelines set forth by the Executive Office of, The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, and the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau.  I also understand that failure to follow any procedures will result in revocation of the grant.

Deadline: All mini-grant applications must be submitted to the CVB and on or before Friday, January, 31st, 2025 5pm EST. No applications will be accepted after this date/time. You will be notified by early March, 2025.

Questions: Please contact Brian Bradbury, Executive Director, BBradbury@merrimackvalley.org or 978-459-6150

 
Acknowledgement