2020 VisitMV Tourism Mini Grant Program
The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce the 2020 VisitMV Tourism Mini-Grant program to support marketing initiatives, events and services that promote Martha’s Vineyard as a premier destination, stimulate economic development and encourage responsible tourism to the Island on an year-round basis.
There is $20,000 for dispersal, and grant amounts will range between $500 - $2,500.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
All Chamber of Commerce members are welcome to apply.
What can the VisitMV Tourism Mini-Grant can be used for?
Funds are to be used for the design and production of promotional materials including: print (brochures, flyers, calendars, rack cards, magazines, newspaper inserts), event website development, blogging, digital, TV, YouTube, audio messaging, radio, social media projects, language translations and signage for tourism-related businesses or activities. Special consideration will be given to events happening between September – June.
Grant funds may not be used to market or advertise events whose primary purpose is fundraising for a specific cause.
Please note that all funded projects must adhere to the logo and funding credits criteria put forth by the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.
Timeline
Grant applications are due by 5pm on Friday March 20, 2020, click here to fill in the application online or download the application here.
All applications will be reviewed by the VisitMV Tourism MiniGrant Review Committee, and award amounts will be determined by this Committee.
Applicants will be notified by April 3 if they are receiving an award.
Important Information
Mini Grant funds will not be awarded directly to the grant recipient. Invoices totaling the grant award will be submitted to the Chamber, and the Chamber will issue payment to the vendor. Unused grant funds will be reallocated to the Chamber’s general marketing programs.
All marketing copy MUST include funding credits, and in the case of digital and print materials, logos for the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and designs MUST be pre-approved by the Chamber before production and distribution begins.
The Review Committee will score applications based on an assessment of how well they answer the questions and meet the following criteria:
Cohesiveness of Proposal: Is the application clear and well written and is the proposal’s budget clear?
Organizational Capacity: Does the project team have the right skills and experience to deliver and a demonstrated history of success in carrying out similar projects?
Project Benefits: Does the project have economic benefits to Martha’s Vineyard in the form of additional room nights and visitor spend? Will the campaign support tourism growth in the spring, autumn or winter?
All applicants must currently provide a reciprocal link on their website homepage to mvy.com and massvacation.com
All project designs must be approved by June 26, 2020 in order to receive funding.
There is $20,000 for dispersal, and grant amounts will range between $500 - $2,500.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
All Chamber of Commerce members are welcome to apply.
What can the VisitMV Tourism Mini-Grant can be used for?
Funds are to be used for the design and production of promotional materials including: print (brochures, flyers, calendars, rack cards, magazines, newspaper inserts), event website development, blogging, digital, TV, YouTube, audio messaging, radio, social media projects, language translations and signage for tourism-related businesses or activities. Special consideration will be given to events happening between September – June.
Grant funds may not be used to market or advertise events whose primary purpose is fundraising for a specific cause.
Please note that all funded projects must adhere to the logo and funding credits criteria put forth by the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.
Timeline
Grant applications are due by 5pm on Friday March 20, 2020, click here to fill in the application online or download the application here.
All applications will be reviewed by the VisitMV Tourism MiniGrant Review Committee, and award amounts will be determined by this Committee.
Applicants will be notified by April 3 if they are receiving an award.
Important Information
Mini Grant funds will not be awarded directly to the grant recipient. Invoices totaling the grant award will be submitted to the Chamber, and the Chamber will issue payment to the vendor. Unused grant funds will be reallocated to the Chamber’s general marketing programs.
All marketing copy MUST include funding credits, and in the case of digital and print materials, logos for the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and designs MUST be pre-approved by the Chamber before production and distribution begins.
The Review Committee will score applications based on an assessment of how well they answer the questions and meet the following criteria:
Cohesiveness of Proposal: Is the application clear and well written and is the proposal’s budget clear?
Organizational Capacity: Does the project team have the right skills and experience to deliver and a demonstrated history of success in carrying out similar projects?
Project Benefits: Does the project have economic benefits to Martha’s Vineyard in the form of additional room nights and visitor spend? Will the campaign support tourism growth in the spring, autumn or winter?
All applicants must currently provide a reciprocal link on their website homepage to mvy.com and massvacation.com
All project designs must be approved by June 26, 2020 in order to receive funding.
Check out the 2019 VisitMV
Tourism Mini Grant Recipients here:
Tourism Mini Grant Recipients here:
2019 Fall Festival developed by the Mass Audubon Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary
This annual event, held the day after Thanksgiving; provides locals and visitors an opportunity to celebrate autumn with music, food and seasonal nature based activities while showcasing natural environment and promoting conservation.
Grant Award: $1,000 for digital and social media marketing
Food Minded Fellow Podcast by Gavin Smith
The first podcast about and produced on Martha’s Vineyard will focus on the food
ecosystem on Martha's Vineyard and the stories and people behind it. Distribution nationally through iTunes and beyond, this podcast has the potential to reach thousands of people who will come to better understand the local food movement on the Island and the many fishermen, farmers, foragers, and chefs that enrich our community.
Grant Award: $2,500 for the development of a dedicated website to inform visitors about the podcast and host episodes, social media sponsored and online advertising budget to promote the podcast and social media marketing development and support
Island Alpaca, Barbara Ronchetti
Island Alpaca has become a premier attraction for families visiting Martha’s Vineyard. The grant will support the production of two new brochures, one for special programs and one for weddings & special events. The brochures will be on display at the Route 6 Visitor Information Center on Cape Cod, which will encourage people to come to the Vineyard to enjoy programs at Island Alpaca and throughout the Vineyard. Grant Award $1,500 for off-Island brochure distribution
Food Tours by Farm.Field.Sea
Farm.Field.Sea tours and events stimulate economic development on Martha’s Vineyard by providing tourists access to the Island’s 42 working farms, 30+ oyster cultivators, and its many fishermen, food artisans, chefs, and food educators.
Grant award: $2,500 to develop digital assets, web and social media marketing
Martha’s Vineyard Chef Series October/November 2019 developed by the Nobnocket Inn
An annual off-season dinner event for approx. 80-100 guests with a
national/internationally recognized or celebrity chef coming to the Island and partnering with an Island restaurant chef to create a locally sourced dinner. This intimate, multi course dining event would bring 80-100 foodies to the Vineyard in late autumn, as well as support and highlight sustainable agriculture while increasing exposure for the Island’s farm to table traditions.
Grant Award: $1,500 for digital ads and social media marketing for event
MVY Social Media Conference April 2020 developed by Shored Up Digital
A full day-long conference for Island and off-Island businesses with an itinerary to include keynote presenters and speakers to tackle relevant and up to date topics in the digital marketing and social media world. The conference will allow local business owners to learn from thought leaders in an organized way that would empower them to grow their businesses online themselves, and more effectively promote Martha’s Vineyard as a premier destination, while stimulating their own business growth along while contributing to the economic development and tourism to the Island.
Grant Award $1,750 Development of a dedicated website and social and digital marketing
MV Signs Then and Now Through Deaf Eyes Showcase the contributions of the Island’s deaf community and the role that community played in the development of American Sign Language by developing informative webpages, social media marketing, and airing the acclaimed documentary Through Deaf Eyes on MVTV and other outlets.
Grant Award $1,500 for Airing of documentary on MVTV; supporting the development of webpage with images and video, market the airing of documentary at locations on the Island.
Sail Year-Round...Visit MV in the Off-Season Campaign by Friends of Mvyradio
In 2018, 92% of MVYRADIO donors listed their primary home address as
being off-Island. Therefore, the grant money would be used for underwriting messages on MVYRADIO, promoting off-season tourism. MVYRADIO and the Chamber would
collaborate on messages that encourage station listeners to visit the Island. A four
week schedule of :15 second messages would rotate several copy points, highlighting different aspects of off-season visiting.
Grant Award: $2500
This annual event, held the day after Thanksgiving; provides locals and visitors an opportunity to celebrate autumn with music, food and seasonal nature based activities while showcasing natural environment and promoting conservation.
Grant Award: $1,000 for digital and social media marketing
Food Minded Fellow Podcast by Gavin Smith
The first podcast about and produced on Martha’s Vineyard will focus on the food
ecosystem on Martha's Vineyard and the stories and people behind it. Distribution nationally through iTunes and beyond, this podcast has the potential to reach thousands of people who will come to better understand the local food movement on the Island and the many fishermen, farmers, foragers, and chefs that enrich our community.
Grant Award: $2,500 for the development of a dedicated website to inform visitors about the podcast and host episodes, social media sponsored and online advertising budget to promote the podcast and social media marketing development and support
Island Alpaca, Barbara Ronchetti
Island Alpaca has become a premier attraction for families visiting Martha’s Vineyard. The grant will support the production of two new brochures, one for special programs and one for weddings & special events. The brochures will be on display at the Route 6 Visitor Information Center on Cape Cod, which will encourage people to come to the Vineyard to enjoy programs at Island Alpaca and throughout the Vineyard. Grant Award $1,500 for off-Island brochure distribution
Food Tours by Farm.Field.Sea
Farm.Field.Sea tours and events stimulate economic development on Martha’s Vineyard by providing tourists access to the Island’s 42 working farms, 30+ oyster cultivators, and its many fishermen, food artisans, chefs, and food educators.
Grant award: $2,500 to develop digital assets, web and social media marketing
Martha’s Vineyard Chef Series October/November 2019 developed by the Nobnocket Inn
An annual off-season dinner event for approx. 80-100 guests with a
national/internationally recognized or celebrity chef coming to the Island and partnering with an Island restaurant chef to create a locally sourced dinner. This intimate, multi course dining event would bring 80-100 foodies to the Vineyard in late autumn, as well as support and highlight sustainable agriculture while increasing exposure for the Island’s farm to table traditions.
Grant Award: $1,500 for digital ads and social media marketing for event
MVY Social Media Conference April 2020 developed by Shored Up Digital
A full day-long conference for Island and off-Island businesses with an itinerary to include keynote presenters and speakers to tackle relevant and up to date topics in the digital marketing and social media world. The conference will allow local business owners to learn from thought leaders in an organized way that would empower them to grow their businesses online themselves, and more effectively promote Martha’s Vineyard as a premier destination, while stimulating their own business growth along while contributing to the economic development and tourism to the Island.
Grant Award $1,750 Development of a dedicated website and social and digital marketing
MV Signs Then and Now Through Deaf Eyes Showcase the contributions of the Island’s deaf community and the role that community played in the development of American Sign Language by developing informative webpages, social media marketing, and airing the acclaimed documentary Through Deaf Eyes on MVTV and other outlets.
Grant Award $1,500 for Airing of documentary on MVTV; supporting the development of webpage with images and video, market the airing of documentary at locations on the Island.
Sail Year-Round...Visit MV in the Off-Season Campaign by Friends of Mvyradio
In 2018, 92% of MVYRADIO donors listed their primary home address as
being off-Island. Therefore, the grant money would be used for underwriting messages on MVYRADIO, promoting off-season tourism. MVYRADIO and the Chamber would
collaborate on messages that encourage station listeners to visit the Island. A four
week schedule of :15 second messages would rotate several copy points, highlighting different aspects of off-season visiting.
Grant Award: $2500
The Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce's VisitMV Tourism Mini-Grant program supports marketing initiatives, events and services that promote Martha’s Vineyard as a premier destination, stimulate economic development and encourage responsible tourism to the Island on a year-round basis.
Thanks to the support of State Senator Cyr and Rep. Fernandes and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, we issued $14,750 in grant funds.
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What can the Tourism Mini-Grant can be used for?
Funds are to be used for the design and production of promotional materials including: print (brochures, flyers, calendars, rack cards, magazines, newspaper inserts), event website development, blogging, digital, TV, YouTube, audio messaging, radio, social media projects, language translations and signage for tourism-related businesses. Grant funds may not be used to market or advertise events whose primary purpose is fundraising for a specific cause. |
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Please note that all funded projects must adhere to the logo and funding credits criteria put forth by the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.
Important Information
Mini Grant funds are not awarded directly to the grant recipient. Invoices totaling the grant award are submitted to the Chamber, and the Chamber will issue payment to the vendor. Unused grant funds are reallocated to the Chamber’s general marketing programs.
Mini Grant funds are not awarded directly to the grant recipient. Invoices totaling the grant award are submitted to the Chamber, and the Chamber will issue payment to the vendor. Unused grant funds are reallocated to the Chamber’s general marketing programs.
Questions? Please contact Nancy Gardella at 508-693-0085 x16 or via email at nancy@mvy.com
