2026 Tourism Marketing Grants: Applications Now Available

The Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is now accepting applications for the 2026 Cortland County Tourism Marketing Grant Program, with $260,000 available for distribution to eligible tourism-related 501(c)(3) organizations.

This grant program is funded through Cortland County’s 5% Occupancy Tax on overnight lodging stays. The intent of the law is to strengthen funding for tourism and cultural activities that benefit Cortland County and to support economic development as it relates to tourism. 

Tourism is already delivering real results locally. In 2024, traveler spending in Cortland County reached $104.8 million, supported 1,554 jobs, and generated $11.6 million in state and local tax revenue, helping reduce the tax burden on residents.

“Tourism is a real economic driver in Cortland County, and these grants help our local nonprofit tourism organizations do the external marketing that brings visitors here," said Michelle Enright, Executive Director of the Cortland County CVB. "More overnight stays means more spending at local businesses and more occupancy tax revenue reinvested back into tourism.”

What the Grants Support

The Tourism Marketing Grant program is designed to generate the greatest possible return on investment by funding external marketing efforts - placed outside of Cortland County - that can help stimulate overnight stays, visitor spending, and tourism-related business activity here at home. 

If your marketing plan can reach audiences outside the county and motivate them to visit Cortland County, this program is built to help.

Funding Priorities

Grant allocation preference will be given to proposals that support: 

• Attractions, events, programs, and activities that generate multi-day or overnight visits (festivals, exhibitions, conventions, consumer shows, cultural events, and similar)
• Efforts that attract or have the potential to attract a significant number of attendees from outside Cortland County
• Projects that benefit residents and increase economic activity

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must be duly incorporated tourism-related not-for-profit organizations recognized by the IRS as 501(c)(3). 

What Counts as External Marketing?

This program supports marketing intended to reach audiences outside Cortland County. Your application should clearly describe how each tactic will be placed, distributed, or targeted outside the county, such as: 

• Out-of-county publication buys
• Regional radio/TV placements
• Direct mail to out-of-county ZIP codes
• Digital advertising with out-of-county geo-targeting

Examples of eligible expenses

Eligible marketing expenses include (but are not limited to): 

• Printed materials (brochures, rack cards, flyers, posters)
• Print ads in recognized newspapers/magazines outside the county
• Digital ads (paid social, e-newsletters) targeted outside the county
• Radio/TV advertising outside the county
• Websites/electronic advertising used to reach out-of-county audiences
• Billboards/banners used outside Cortland County
• Third-party contracted services (web development, photo/video production, media production, ad design, direct mail), when used for out-of-county reach

Ineligible expenses

The grant does not cover administrative or operating costs, capital projects, equipment, travel, postage, salaries, memberships, resale items, or similar expenses.

How to Apply

Applications are available in three ways:

• Download the fillable PDF below.
• Pick one up in person at the Cortland County Visitors Bureau, 42 Main St, Cortland, or
• Request one by email at michelle@experiencecortland.com

Submit your application packet (including all required supporting documentation) in one complete PDF via email, or deliver/mail it to the CVB office: 

Email: michelle@experiencecortland.com

Mail/Drop-off: Cortland County CVB, Attn: Michelle Enright, 42 Main Street, Cortland, NY 13045
Office hours: Mon-Tues, By Appt; Wed-Fri, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (call ahead to schedule drop-off)

Application deadline

All 2026 applications must be submitted to the CVB no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026.

Questions?

Call the Cortland County Visitors Bureau at 607-753-8463 or email michelle@experiencecortland.com.

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