Grant Program Information
The mission of the Transylvania County Tourism Development Authority (TCTDA) is “to generate and enhance tourism opportunities in Transylvania County through strategic promotion coordinated with tourism-related businesses and local government and to contribute to a vibrant, sustainable economy.” There are various ways the TCTDA accomplishes its strategic goals and objectives based on this mission. One is through the Partner Funding Program, which supports projects coordinated by dedicated and knowledgeable parties that result in substantial benefit to the local tourism industry.
There are three paths for project funding: 1) TOURISM MARKETING, 2) DESTINATION INFRASTRUCTURE, and 3) TRANSYLVANIA ALWAYS. Each meets different objectives and has different criteria. Descriptions of each path can be found below, along with eligibility and funding requirements for all applicants, and other important information. The first step for any applicant is to review this information and determine if their project is eligible for TCTDA funding, and if so, which path and corresponding application is appropriate. As you are doing so, please remember that the TCTDA is seeking the highest possible return on investment (ROI) for the expenditure of occupancy tax dollars on these local projects. Think about the investment you are requesting and the return/benefit of that investment, specific to tourism, as outlined by the indicated criteria, as you are assessing the fit of your request and completing an application.
If you are unsure which path to choose or have any other questions best answered ahead of completing an application, reach out to program coordinator, Virginia Watkins, at virginia.watkins@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-8900.
Si no habla inglés y está interesado en conocer el programa de subvenciones de TCTDA, favor de enviar un correo electrónico a virginia.watkins@transylvaniacounty.org
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to receive TCTDA funds, applicants and their projects must meet ALL the following criteria.
● Applicant must be a nonprofit organization or corporation that is registered and active with the North Carolina Secretary of State office. A completed W-9 is required as a part of the application.
● Applicant must be qualified and capable of managing the project to successful completion.
● Applicant must cover at least 20% of the total project cost either directly or from other funding sources. In-kind donations do not count toward this calculation. All other funding should be secured before applying for TCTDA funds.
● If applicant has received project funding from the TCTDA since July 1, 2022, a Project Evaluation Report (PER) must be completed prior to requesting additional funds.
● Project must be tourism-related and closely align with the criteria of one of the three defined funding paths.
● Project must provide significant benefit to Transylvania County.
● Project must be “shovel-ready” with substantial completion within the next 12 months.
Project Funding Paths and Associated Criteria
Tourism Marketing
These projects must lead to visitor expenditures in Transylvania County, either directly by generating overnight or daytrip visitation, or indirectly by providing a meaningful experience to visitors who are already here.
Tourism Marketing projects are often events but can also be programs or other initiatives. Examples include events like the Assault on the Carolinas, which generates meaningful overnight visitation, and programs like Transylvania Heritage Museum exhibits, which provide a cultural heritage experience for visitors likely already in our destination. Applications are evaluated on the following project criteria:
- Does it generate visitor spending in one of the following ways (listed in order of priority)? Note that there is a strong preference for driving visitation during off-peak times. Highest priority is December through March and midweek in April, May, September and November.
- Generation of overnight visitation. Are people spending the night in Transylvania County because of your event/program?
- Generation of significant daytrip visitation. Will your event/program bring day trippers from the surrounding area here?
- Enhancement of the visitor experience. Does your event/program add significant value to visitors who are already here? Will it be attended by a lot of visitors? Does it offer a unique experience?
- Will there be robust marketing and promotion of the event/program, particularly outside of Transylvania County? Events/programs that utilize TCTDA funds to bolster marketing efforts will be viewed more favorably. The TCTDA is not looking to fund basic costs for events/programs that are not marketed well.
- Does it align with the TCTDA mission and Transylvania County’s tourism brand (outdoors, music, art, heritage, health/wellness, sustainability of natural resources, etc.)?
- Does it include elements of Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion for traditionally underserved communities? Not required, but adds value to the application.
- Is it a new event/program or an existing one with substantial changes? Not required but adds value to the application.
- Does it meet all the eligibility requirements listed earlier?
Tourism Marketing requests should be made for up to a maximum of $4,999. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no specific deadlines. The applicant will typically be made aware of a decision in 30-45 days.
Destination Infrastructure
These projects must make a substantial impact on the tourism infrastructure of the destination.
Destination Infrastructure projects are typically brick and mortar. Identified priorities are cycling, downtown Brevard, entryways to public lands, arts, music, and community centers outside of Brevard. Past funded projects include the Ecusta Trail, the Transylvania County Community Appearance Initiative, and the Downtown Brevard Streetscape Project. Applications are evaluated on the following project criteria:
- Does it preserve and/or enhance the infrastructure and resources that make Transylvania County a desirable tourism destination? As such, would this project substantially impact a significant number of visitors to Transylvania County in the future?
- Does it align with the destination’s brand (outdoors, music, art, heritage, health/wellness, sustainability of natural resources, etc.) and/or specific Destination Infrastructure priorities (cycling, downtown Brevard, entryways to public lands, arts, music, and community centers outside of Brevard)?
- Does it include elements of Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion for traditionally underserved communities? Not required, but adds value to the application.
- Does it meet all the eligibility requirements listed earlier? For Destination Infrastructure projects, it is worth reiterating that projects must be “shovel-ready” with substantial completion within the next 12 months.
There is no maximum amount for Destination Infrastructure requests, although it should be noted that the TCTDA typically has an annual average budget of $150,000 for these types of projects, and funding is typically awarded to multiple applicants. With that in mind, funds often cover a majority of funding for relatively small (but meaningful) projects, important add-ons for larger projects, or local matching funds for very large projects with primary funding from state or federal grants. Most requests range from $5,000 – $50,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no specific deadlines. The applicant will typically be made aware of a decision within 60 days. For certain requests, particularly those with higher dollar amounts, an in-person presentation may be required.
Transylvania Always
These projects must align with the Transylvania Always mission to take care of our natural resources to enable safe and enjoyable use and to ensure that these resources are here for future generations.
Past projects include the relocation of the Cantrell Creek trail (dealing with user impact), funds to clear strainers and blockages along the French Broad River (creating safe and enjoyable use), and the building of the new Southern Highlands Reserve Red Spruce Pine Greenhouse (supporting our forest ecosystem). Applications are evaluated on the following project criteria:
- Does it fulfill the Transylvania Always mission in one or more of the following ways (in no particular order):
- Addressing the impact of users on natural resources
- Creating safe and enjoyable use of natural resources
- Supporting the ecosystem of our forests and waterways
- Enabling sustainable use of our natural resources
- Does it include elements of Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion for traditionally underserved communities? Not required, but adds value to the application.
- Does it meet all the eligibility requirements listed earlier? For Transylvania Always projects, it is worth reiterating that projects must be “shovel-ready” with substantial completion within the next 12 months.
There is no maximum amount for Transylvania Always requests, although it should be noted that the TCTDA has an average annual budget of $150,000 for these types of projects, and funding is typically awarded to multiple applicants. With that in mind, funds often cover a majority of funding for relatively small (but meaningful) projects, important add-ons for larger projects, or local matching funds for very large projects with primary funding from state or federal grants. Most requests range from $5,000 – $50,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no specific deadlines. The applicant will typically be made aware of a decision within 60 days. For certain requests, particularly those with higher dollar amounts, an in-person presentation may be required.
Rules for Use of TCTDA Funds
- Approved funds must be used within one year of the award date or be returned to the TCTDA.
- Funds must be used in the manner and for the purposes stated on the application.
- If there are substantial changes to a project after approval of funds, the TCTDA must be notified and provided an opportunity to assess if the applicant still qualifies for funding.
- Approved funds cannot be transferred to another party.
- Any unspent funds must be repaid to the TCTDA unless written approval for a different related purpose is obtained.
- Recipients must complete all required reporting and provide appropriate TCTDA support credit to be eligible for payout of funds, when applicable, and to be considered for any grants in the future (see Reporting section below for more detail).
- Recipients shall maintain all accounts, books, ledgers, journals, and records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, practices and procedures and follow all relevant laws.
- In connection with any projects receiving TCTDA funds, recipients and their associates shall not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, or program participant because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), disability, national origin, or age.
Partnership Credit
It is a priority of the TCTDA to show the positive impact that tourism has on our community and provide examples to future applicants of the types of projects the TCTDA supports. The TCTDA must receive appropriate partnership credit on ads, promotional material and press releases, and recipients are encouraged to acknowledge TCTDA support at every possible opportunity. The name “Transylvania County Tourism Development Authority” should be used. If necessary due to space limitations, “Transylvania County Tourism” is acceptable. A digital version of the TCTDA’s organizational logo will be shared with approval of funding to be used at all applicable opportunities.
Reporting
By completing this application, the applicant acknowledges it will provide the following reporting to the TCTDA. Failure to do so disqualifies the applicant from future funding considerations.
- A 250-word quarterly progress report sent to virginia.watkins@transylvaniacounty.org, beginning 90 days after approval and each subsequent 90 days until project completion.
- In-person updates as needed.
- A Project Evaluation Report (PER) must be submitted within 30 days of the conclusion of the project.
- The applicant must maintain records of expenditures made with TCTDA funding and include a financial report of those expenditures in the PER. Additional financial reporting may be required for funding of $5,000 or more.
Submitting an Application
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Requests must be received at least 45 days in advance of deadlines for marketing materials to promote the project so the TCTDA may be included. Requests should not be made last-minute and may not be funded due to insufficient time.
Keep the following in mind when completing an application:
- The application should be informative, thorough and completed in a professional manner.
- A W-9 for the organization requesting the funds is required.
- A detailed project budget including anticipated revenues and expenditures is required.
- As a reminder, projects must be shovel-ready, with full or substantial completion within one year of the application date.
Links to application forms can be found below. Applications should be submitted via the online form.
Review Process
All requests will be reviewed in a fair and ethical manner by the TCTDA Board of Directors or one of the TCTDA’s designated committees based on the parameters outlined in this document. The number of requests received by the organization and the level of available funding may impact final decisions. All elements of TCTDA funding opportunities are managed at the sole discretion of the Transylvania County Tourism Development Authority, including the application review process and all subsequent funding decisions. All decisions of the TCTDA are final.
Notification and Payment Process
Applicants requesting funding of $4,999 or less will typically receive an official answer in 30-45 days. Funds will be processed at that time and should be received within 15 days of official notice.
Requests for funding of $5,000 or more typically take longer, sometimes requiring additional information and/or an in-person presentation. Funds will be disbursed based on progress on the project as reflected in the quarterly reports, often in multiple partial payments.
Additional Terms and Conditions
As a condition of receiving funds from the TCTDA, recipient agrees to fully indemnify and hold harmless the TCTDA and Transylvania County, and its officers, officials, directors, elected officials, agents, employees, board members, sponsoring agencies, advertisers, and volunteers from and against any and all claims, demands, payments, suits, actions, costs, recoveries and judgments of every kind and description brought out of or occurring in connection with, directly or indirectly, activities funded in part or in whole with funds made available under this project.
The TCTDA is in no way responsible for the administration and supervision of the recipient, its officers, employees, and agents which persons it is agreed are not officers, employees, or agents of the TCTDA. It is expressly understood and agreed by the TCTDA and the recipient nothing contained in this application or any related project funding materials be construed to create a joint venture, partnership, associate, or other affiliation or like relationship between the parties, it being specifically agreed the relationship is and shall remain that of independent parties to a contractual relationship as set forth in this application.
Recipient shall report in writing to the TCTDA any known actual, potential, apparent, or perceived conflicts of interest between it and the TCTDA prior to or at the same time as the application.
This application and related project funding materials constitute the sole and entire agreement between and among the TCTDA and recipient with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all agreements and understandings among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof made prior to the submittal of an application. There are no representations, warranties, understandings or agreements relating to the subject matter hereof which are not fully expressed in the application. No amendment, modification, waiver or discharge of the application shall be valid unless in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the party against whom such amendment, modification, waiver or discharge is sought to be enforced.
Note that the application and any other information submitted before or after the review process is considered public record.
Questions
For questions, please contact the TCTDA office at virginia.watkins@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-8900.
Applications
Complete the applications online at the links below.