About The Partnership

The goal of the Starkville Visitors & Convention Council (VCC) Sponsorship Grant Program is to fund tourism and community development projects that positively impact the City of Starkville and Oktibbeha County’s economy.

The Starkville VCC typically invests $50,000 – $60,000 annually into the grant program and has historically funded programs and events such as:

• Starkville Community Day
• Mississippi Horse Park
• Starkville Area Arts Council
• Starkville Central Neighborhood Foundation
• Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum
• Starkville-MSU Symphony
• Starkville Community Theater
• Starkville Soccer Association

Deadline for applications: August 25, 2017 by 5:00 p.m.

Click to Fill Out the Online Application

Program Categories

There are three (3) categories of the Starkville VCC Sponsorship Grant Program:

Sponsored Programs

All organizations, events, or programs applying for the first time; having received funding for one or two consecutive years; having received funding for non-consecutive years; or that have been denied for the Sustaining Grant or Dues categories should apply in the Sponsored Programs category.

Sustaining Grants

Organizations, events, or programs are eligible for the Sustaining Grant category if they have received three (3) consecutive years of funding from the Starkville VCC. If approved for the Sustaining Grant category, organizations, events, or programs will receive a commitment of dedicated funding for a three (3) year period.

Dues

Dues collecting organizations are eligible for the Dues category if they have received three (3) consecutive years of funding from the Starkville VCC. If approved for the Dues category, organizations, events, or programs will receive a commitment of dedicated funding for a three (3) year period.

Deadline

Applications must be made online and must be submitted no later than August 25, 2017 by 5:00 p.m. All submissions will be electronically time stamped.

Required Forms

Applications must include the following components:

• Marketing plan and budget: You may use the template provided or create your own. ALL promotions and advertising must be included in plan. Please include all print, radio, television, billboards, social media, etc. in your plan and budget.

Selection criteria can be found within the guidelines of the Starkville VCC Sponsorship Grant Program. Applicants will be notified in writing of their status regarding funding within 30 days of submission.

Downloads

• GRANT PROGRAM GUIDELINES (PDF)
• SAMPLE MARKETING PLAN & BUDGET DOCUMENT (XLS)
• GRANT APPLICATION (online form)
• Final Report (PDF)
• Sample tourism grant invoice (PDF)

Questions

If you have any questions regarding the Starkville VCC Sponsorship Program Guidelines and/or application, please contact Jennifer Prather at 323-3322 or jprather@starkville.org.

Click to Fill Out the Online Application