Leon County Tourism Grant Program
The Leon County Division of Tourism (Visit Tallahassee) annually funds groups and organizations that coordinate events with a history of (or significant potential for) attracting visitors to the area who stay overnight in commercial lodging.
The Leon County Tourism Grant Program is administered by the Leon County Tourist Development Council and designated advisory groups including the TDC Grant Review Committee and the Tallahassee Sports Council.
SUBMIT A 2025/2026 SPECIAL AND SPORTS GRANT > SUBMIT A 2024/2025 POST EVENT REPORT > SUBMIT A 2024/2025 SECOND CYCLE POST EVENT REPORT >
GRANT
TOURISM GRANT APPLICATION INFORMATION
The Leon County Division of Tourism grant application for 2025-26 Special Events and Sport Events Grants opens June 24th.
Event grant applications are evaluated based on the historical or potential ability to attract overnight tourists, how the event will elevate the destination and increase overall economic and community impact, demonstrate paid out-of-area marketing activities, and include scheduled programming/activities during non-peak periods. Event funding levels are determined by the anticipated number of hotel room nights/overnight lodging in Leon County generated by the event.
For more information on grant funding, please contact Taylor Walker (Sports Events) and Wendy Halleck (Special Events).
DOWNLOAD FY25-26 GRANT PROGRAM GUIDELINES
FY 25-26 Peak Visitor Periods (Ineligible for Grant Funding)
- October 3-4, 2025 FSU Football Game vs. Miami
- October 10-11, 2025 FSU Football Game vs. Pittsburgh
- October 18-19, 2025 FAMU Football Game (FAMU Homecoming)
- October 31 – November 1, 2025 FSU Football Game vs. Wake Forest (Homecoming)
- November 14-15, 2025 FSU Football Game vs. Virginia Tech
- December 12, 2025 FSU/FAMU/TSC Graduation
- January 9-17, 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships
- January 13- March 13, 2026 Florida Legislative Session (Monday – Thursday)
- May 2-3, 2026 FSU/FAMU/TSC Graduation
About the Leon County Tourism Grant Program
The Leon County Division of Tourism (Visit Tallahassee) annually funds groups and organizations that coordinate events with a history of (or significant potential for) attracting visitors to the area who stay overnight in commercial lodging.
The Leon County Tourism Grant Program is administered by the Leon County Tourist Development Council and designated advisory groups, including the TDC Grant Review Committee and the Tallahassee Sports Council. The Leon County Tourist Development Council (TDC) Grant Review Committee reviews and evaluates applications and submits recommendations to the full TDC for approval.
TOURISM GRANTS FORMS & RESOURCES
Please use these helpful resources in order to make your grant application process go smoothly.
- Post Event Checklist (PDF)
- 2026 Special Events Scoring and Funding Guide
- 2026 Sports Events Scoring and Funding Guide
- Marketing Toolkit (PDF)
- Budget Template Instructions (PDF)
- Sample Budget Template (PDF)
- Visitor Tracking Form (PDF)
- Visitor Tracking Survey (PDF)
- Substitute W9 Form (PDF)
- New Vendor Form (Word DOC)
- Visit Tallahassee Logos for Grant Applicants
FY24-25 GRANT PROGRAM GUIDELINES
PEAK VISITOR PERIODS (Ineligible for Grant Funding)
- October 3-4, 2025 FSU Football Game vs. Miami
- October 10-11, 2025 FSU Football Game vs. Pittsburgh
- October 18-19, 2025 FAMU Football Game (FAMU Homecoming)
- October 31 – November 1, 2025 FSU Football Game vs. Wake Forest (Homecoming)
- November 14-15, 2025 FSU Football Game vs. Virginia Tech
- December 12, 2025 FSU/FAMU/TSC Graduation
- January 9-17, 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships
- January 13- March 13, 2026 Florida Legislative Session (Monday – Thursday)
- May 2-3, 2026 FSU/FAMU/TSC Graduation
For additional assistance or questions regarding grants, contact Taylor Walker for Sports Grants, and Wendy Halleck for Special Events Grants.
FY25-26 TOURISM EVENT GRANT WORKSHOPS
In order to be considered for funding, all applicants are required to attend a Grant Orientation Workshop. These workshops are critical to learn more about Visit Tallahassee grant funding and the application process.
The workshop includes:
- Out-of-Market Advertising Strategies
- How to reserve and track hotel rooms for your out of town attendees.
- How to track visitor data.
- An overview of everything required for your Post Event Report.
- Proper use of Visit Tallahassee/Leon County Logos for your marketing.
- Updates about new reporting requirements.
GRANT ORIENTATION WORKSHOP DATES
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2025 AT 10 A.M. (IN-PERSON)
- Grant Orientation Workshop (In-Person)
Office of Resource Stewardship (ORS Gathering Room)
1907 S Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32301
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2025 AT 11 A.M. (VIRTUAL VIA TEAMS)
THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2025 AT 5 P.M. (VIRTUAL VIA TEAMS)
GRANT IMPLEMENTATION WORKSHOP DATE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 AT 10 A.M. (IN-PERSON)
- Grant Orientation Workshop (In-Person)
Office of Resource Stewardship (ORS Gathering Room)
1907 S Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32301
PAST GRANT WORKSHOPS
FY2025 Grant Implementation Presentation
2024-25 Grant Application Workshop
SCHEDULE
TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2025 AT NOON
Grants OpenMONDAY, AUGUST 7, 2024 AT 5 P.M.
Grants CloseWORKSHOPS
ORIENTATION WORKSHOP DATESTUESDAY, JULY 8, 2025 AT 10 A.M. (IN-PERSON)
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2025 AT 11 A.M. (VIRTUAL VIA TEAMS)
THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2025 AT 5 P.M. (VIRTUAL VIA TEAMS)
GRANT REVIEW PUBLIC MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2025 AT 10 A.M.
