Leon County Accepting Tourism Grant Applications For Special Events & Sports Events

The Leon County Division of Tourism (Visit Tallahassee) application for the 2025-2026 Special Events and Sport Events Grants is now open. Applications are due by Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 5 p.m. This opportunity represents the ongoing effort to promote tourism and provide financial support for events that have a history of, or show potential to, attract out-of-town tourists and generate overnight stays in Leon County.

Eligible event(s) must take place between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026, and are required to comply with Florida Statutes Section 125.0104, for the utilization of Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funds. 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.

All grant applicants must attend one of three Grant Orientation workshops. An in-person workshop will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 10 a.m. at the Leon County Office of Resource Stewardship (ORS) Gathering Room, located at 1907 South Monroe Street. Two additional workshops will be conducted via Teams on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 11 a.m. and on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 5 p.m. A recording of the July 8 workshop will be available on the Visit Tallahassee website. The workshops will include:

• Overview of the online grant application portal
• Explanation of the statutory requirements of the funding
• Available funding and schedule of funding levels (based on room nights)
• Peak visitor periods where events will not be considered for funding
• Grant review process and scoring criteria

 
The Leon County Tourist Development Council (TDC) Grant Review Committee will review and evaluate applications and submit recommendations to the TDC for approval in September. The
 
2025-2026 Tourism Grant Cycle Timeline (Special and Sports Events) includes the following significant dates:

June 24                                   Grant Cycle Opening/Applications Available (30-day cycle)
July 8 at 10 a.m.                      Workshop (In-Person)
July 15 at 11 a.m.                    Workshop (Virtual via Teams)
July 31 at 5 p.m.                      Workshop (Virtual via Teams)
Aug. 7 at 5 p.m.                       Applications Due / Application Cycle Closes
Aug. 26 at 10 a.m.                   TDC Grant Review Committee Public Meeting
                                                *Applicants Strongly Encouraged to Attend*
September 11                          Review & Final Approval by TDC
 
Find more information on the Leon County Tourism Grant Program website, or contact Scott Lindeman at 850-606-2322 or Scott.Lindeman@VisitTallahassee.com.

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About The Leon County Division of Tourism/Visit Tallahassee: The Leon County Division of Tourism (Visit Tallahassee) is the official destination marketing organization charged with marketing Tallahassee-Leon County as a premier leisure, business and sports destination through direct sales, advertising, public relations, sports and visitor services. The Capital of Cross Country, Tallahassee-Leon County is home to the internationally recognized cross country course at Apalachee Regional Park, which will serve as the host for the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships. In 2024 Tallahassee-Leon County welcomed 2.4 million visitors who contributed $1.3 Billion in economic impact and accounts for more than 12,200 people employed in our community in the tourism & hospitality industry. For more information, go to VisitTallahassee.com or call toll free (800) 628-2866. Engage with Visit Tallahassee on Facebook and Instagram or visit us at the Leon County Visitor Information Center and Gift Shop located at 414 E. Bloxham Street, Suite 115, Tallahassee, FL 32301.