OVERVIEW

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau d/b/a Coastal Mississippi (herein “Coastal Mississippi Tourism”) sales and marketing programs are funded by lodging tax, governed by Mississippi law. Coastal Mississippi Tourism revenue is earned through advertising sales and lodging reservations booked and actualized room nights. (Coastal Mississippi Tourism awarded federal and state grant dollars, which are strictly prohibited by law from any sub-award and are not included in any support.) 

The Tourism Marketing Grant opportunities are:

  • Marketing & PR Grant
  • Cultural Events Grant
  • Community Grant

Please note: All grants are limited by available funds and commission approval. Applications meeting and exemplifying the qualifications are presented to the commission for final approval. 

Application Timeline:

  • July 10, 2024 - Grant published
  • August 1, 2024 - Applications due
  • August 2-20, 2024 - Applications reviewed & scored
  • August 30, 2024 - Recipients notified
  • Funds awarded beginning October 1, 2024, OR 60 days prior to the event.

GRANTS

Coastal Mississippi Marketing & PR Grant

Coastal Mississippi's Marketing & PR Grant allocates funds to support tourism marketing and public relations for partners in Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson counties. The grant aims to stimulate economic activity and increase overnight visits in Coastal Mississippi. By leveraging our tourism partners' marketing budgets, the program seeks to enhance the economic impact of tourism in both the region and the state. 

Note: This is a revised program and differs significantly from previous Coastal Mississippi marketing grants and programs. 

MAX AWARD: $10,000 - This grant requires a 1:1 cash match of awarded funds.

Coastal Mississippi Community Grant

Coastal Mississippi's Community Grant is a fiscal allocation of funds dedicated to providing marketing and production support for community events or activities in Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson counties. The purpose of the grant is to assist with the marketing and production of established events to enhance the overall attendee experience to improve the quality of life within our Coastal communities. 

MAX AWARD: $1,000

Note: This is a revised program and differs significantly from previous Coastal Mississippi event grants and programs. This grant is for single or half-day community events that take place in Coastal Mississippi and improve the quality of life within the community. 

Coastal Mississippi Cultural Events Grant

Coastal Mississippi's Cultural Events Grant is a fiscal allocation of funds dedicated to providing tourism marketing and production support for cultural events in Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson counties. The purpose of the grant is to assist with the marketing and production of established events to grow attendance and enhance the overall visitor experience at the event to promote Coastal Mississippi as a premier leisure destination for year-round visitation, increase overnight visitation, and grow the tourism economic impact in the region and the state. 

MAX AWARD: $20,000

Note: This is a revised program and differs significantly from previous Coastal Mississippi event grants and programs. This grant is for multiple-day events that take place in Coastal Mississippi and that generate room nights in Coastal Mississippi. 

Programs

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