Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau Grant/Incentive Program Application MUST be received at least 90 days prior to event (The Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau grants a total of $3000.00 to projects within the calendar year, January 1st through December 31st. Requests will be considered based on their merit and the availability of funds. As the grant dollars are depleted, new applications will not be eligible for that calendar year.) Complete this cover sheet and return it along with your application materials Organization Name:____________________________________________________ Event Name:__________________________________________________________ Event Begin Date:__________________ Event End Date:_________________ Number of People Expected:_____________________________________________ Contact Person:_______________________________________________________ Organization/Business:_________________________________________________ Mailing Address:______________________________________________________ City, State, Zip:_______________________________________________________ Phone:___________________________ E-mail:________________________ Total Event Cost:$__________________ Total Eligible Costs*:$____________ Total requesting from Newton CVB Grant Program:$__________________________ Grant requests are limited to no more than 25% of eligible costs. For Office Use Only: Date Received:__________ Committee Reviewed:____ Board Reviewed:________ *See page 2 for a list of eligible costs 1 Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau Grant Program Guidelines Grant Program Purpose: To provide limited funds for assistance to groups in bringing additional overnight visitors to Newton, Iowa. Requirements: The organization must have a Federal Employer Identification Number in order to apply (no exceptions will be made) All areas of the application must be completed Materials must be received by the deadline All funds awarded must be expended within 12 months of the date of the award notification A copy of the project materials must be submitted to the CVB to have on record Logo/Tagline Requirements: Projects MUST contain the Newton CVB logo, and/or tagline “This project sponsored in part by the Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau.” Eligible Costs: Eligible applicants are limited to meetings, conventions, and events/tournaments that create tourism activity for the Newton area Eligible costs include design and production costs for brochures, fliers, posters, direct mail pieces; postage costs for pre-meeting/convention mailings; design and production and placement costs for newspaper, radio, magazine, or television ads; signage (off-site only); bid costs to obtain tournaments; convention motor coach rental to be used for local tours; transportation costs between event location and lodging facilities Eligible costs DO NOT include speaker costs, door prizes, trophies/awards, costs for referees, umpires, judges or officials, cost of lodging, rental/meals/entertainment Priority will be given to start-up or expanding projects and to those projects with a distribution/marketing focus outside of Newton that generate lodging revenue Cost Reimbursement: Complete project cost information and current quoted estimates must be provided with application. Funding may be withheld until estimates are received by the Newton CVB Applicants must have accurate estimates and should apply for the amount needed to fund the project versus applying for a higher amount in anticipation that the grant will be reduced Grants are limited to a maximum of 25% of project costs or $1000 (whichever is lowest). A cash match is required, in-kind contributions and staff costs cannot be used as part of the cash match 2 Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau Grant Program Application Form (incomplete applications will be disqualified) Event Identification: 1. What is the name of your event?_______________________________ Please give a brief description of your event: 2. The grant can be used to fund marketing and promotion costs for meetings, conventions, tournaments and events that create tourism activity for Newton. What will your event promote? (please be specific) 3. What other activities are planned in the community during your event? Do you plan to integrate your event with these activities? 4. It is recommended that you provide a draft or copy of a previous event materials (i.e. promotional materials, agenda, registration form), which would be similar to the one you are applying for. Is a sample of your materials attached? (please check one) Yes_____ No_____ 4. Is this a first time event? Yes_____ No_____ 5. What services (paid or in-kind) are you receiving from the City of Newton? Street Department: Police Department: Park & Recreation: 3 Project Operating Budget: 1. List eligible costs below and reference to the attached estimates (quoted estimates for all eligible costs must be included with application materials): Vendor Amount Attachment # 2. List the source(s) of local match funds below. A signed letter of intent from EACH funding source specifying the dollar amount committed to the project must be submitted with this application. Even if you are matching the grant from your own budget, a letter from your organization or business must still be attached. Source Amount Attachment # 3. Have you applied to, or plan to apply for, any other grant programs to fund this project? If yes, specify which programs? _____ No _____ Yes (please list grant program[s] and amount[s] below) 6. The grant program is designed to be “seed money” to encourage growth of meetings, conventions, tournaments and events that create tourism activity. The grant program is not designed to be a continued funding source. Has your organization/business received a grant from the Newton CVB in the past? Yes_____ No_____ If you answered YES, please answer the following: Amount(s) of previous grant(s):$__________ Date(s) of previous grant(s):_______________________ What new marketing element will be implemented that was not part of the project(s) in the past? 4 Project Narrative: Specify how grant revenues will be used; how and where the event will be promoted; and how the event is expected to impact overnight tourism in Newton, Iowa. Use of Grant Monies: Please describe your plan for where these grant monies will be used; i.e. advertising, promotional items, etc. (quoted estimates must be included with application materials - if applicable). 5 Project Administration: 1. The Newton CVB grant program is targeted at marketing events, meetings and conferences, tournaments, etc. which will attract visitors to the Newton Area and generate lodging revenue. A. Where will the guests that are attracted by your event be coming from? (please be specific) B. What is the estimated number of people this event will bring to Newton? Newton residents____________ Outside Newton________________ C. Estimate the number of lodging nights to be generated from this project: # of nights_____ X # of rooms_____ = Total # of lodging nights_____ D. Number of hotel/motel rooms reserved/projected at: Aerie Glen B&B Americas Best Value Inn AmericInn Lodge & Suites Boulders Inn & Suites Days Inn EconoLodge Inn Holiday Inn Express Mid-Iowa Motel Quality Inn Super 8 Motel _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ 2. Will this be an annual project? Yes_____ No_____ 3. If the Newton CVB is unable to fund this request, will the event take place or what would have to be changed? 4. How will you evaluate if your event was effective? 6 Application Process: Please sign and date this application. This application begins the process for grant consideration and applicants will be notified within 60 days after the application is received by the Newton CVB regarding their funding status. I understand projects funded by the Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau Grant Program must contain the Newton CVB logo and agree to comply with this requirement ___________________________________ Signature of person completing application __________________________ Date Application Checklist: ____ Completed application form ____ Quoted estimate(s) attached ____ Draft or ‘mock-up’ is attached Mail or deliver completed application to: Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau 300 E. 17th St. S., Suite 400 Newton, IA 50208 Questions? Contact Linda L. Bacon, Executive Director of the Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau at 641-792-0299 or e-mail lindab@visitnewton.com 7 Request for Reimbursement Newton Convention and Visitors Bureau Grant/Incentive Program Complete this form and return with all supporting documentation to the Newton Convention and Visitors Bureau after your event has taken place. Request for reimbursement must be made within 12 months after the event or will not be accepted. Applicant:______________________________________________________________ Project Coordinator: _____________________________________________________ Project Name: __________________________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________________________________ City:__________________________State:____Zip:____________________________ Phone: ___________________________________Fax:_________________________ E-mail: ________________________________________________________________ Total Grant Award Amount: List all eligible expenses: Vendor Name/Address Invoice Number Canceled Check Number and Amount ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ (Please use additional page if necessary) Check List: ___Copy (ies) of paid invoices ___Copy of advertisement(s) ___Copy (ies) of canceled check(s) ___ Project Evaluation I certify all invoices and information submitted represent costs eligible for reimbursement through the Newton Convention and Visitors Bureau grant program. Project Coordinator Date 8