Beckley-Raleigh County Grant Assistance Program

Beckley-Raleigh County Grant Assistance Program: Supporting Local Events & Boosting Tourism

Administration

The program is administered by the Beckley-Raleigh County Marketing Committee and funded by Visit Southern West Virginia. This grant specifically uses funds from the contractual obligation for Beckley-Raleigh County, not general regional funds.

Program Updates

The program has been significantly enhanced, now offering up to $3,000 per event and doubling its total annual funding to $30,000, split between two grant cycles.

Grant Guidelines & Eligibility: 

• The majority of visitors must come from outside the destination (50 miles or more outside of Beckley, WV).
• Grant funds can only be used for expenses incurred from marketing and advertising efforts. In addition to the local area, marketing must include audiences outside of a 50-mile radius. 
• The event must have a positive impact on the local economy and generate hotel/motel room nights, with supporting data required in the application.
• The event must highlight Raleigh County as an events destination and follow event best practices.
• Applicants must be non-profit organizations or qualifying entities hosting public events.
• Applications must be submitted a minimum of three months before the first date of your event to allow for successful promotion and grant program integration.

Funding Details

• Grant Amount: Applicants may request up to $3,000 per grant cycle, to be used exclusively for marketing-related expenses. While some graphic design components are eligible for funding, at least 50% of the total grant reimbursement must be allocated to advertising or marketing activities and documented in the final report.
• Reimbursement Model: This is a reimbursement grant. Funds are provided after the event takes place and approved expenses are submitted in the final report with receipts. It is not designed to cover the entire cost of a project
• Fundable items include, but are not limited to:
  • Advertising: Print, social media, digital (web), radio, television
  • Printing: Flyers, posters, billboards, pre-event signage/banners, direct mail
  • Video: Publicity video to promote the event or attraction
  • Graphic design and/or printing of promotional materials
  • Advertisements that market to visitors spending the night in Beckley
  • Free hats, shirts, banners, flags and other promotional items will be considered if they are part of the marketing plan for distribution outside of the community, and/or as part of advertising for an event or attraction before the event
• Non-Fundable items include, but are not limited to:
  • Marketing for events that are only promoted to local residents
  • Projects or organizations connected to a political party, lobbying, or advocacy work
  • General operating or administrative expenses
  • Membership dues or fees for other organizations
  • Salaries, wages, or stipends
  • Honorariums (payments made as a thank-you or gesture)
  • Merchandise or items intended for resale
  • Scholarships, grants, or cash prizes
  • Venue rental costs
  • Solicitation or fundraising materials
  • Building repairs, renovations, or other construction projects
  • Private events, parties, or functions not open to the public
  • Entertainment expenses
  • Food and drink costs

Application Process

• Submit the BRC Grant Assistance Program application below.
• Our team will review your application to confirm that we have all the necessary information.
• Your application will be reviewed by a committee that will determine if your project or event is approved.
• Applicants will be notified of grant approvals via email 6-8 weeks after submitting their application form. 

Deadlines

• Late Summer/Fall/Winter Events: March 1 
• Spring/Early Summer Events: December 15

Beckley-Raleigh County Grant Assistance Program Application

Thank you for your interest in the Beckley-Raleigh County Grant Assistance Program! Please complete the application below. You can also download the application and mail or deliver it to our office.

Grant Assistance Program
1408 Harper Rd.
Beckley, WV 25802

All applications must be submitted by the designated deadline to be considered for the grant program. Decisions will be made within 6-8 weeks after submitting the application.

If you have any questions, please contact:
Tori Lester
304-252-2244
tori@visitwv.com