Stafford County Tourism is committed to supporting events that create memorable visitor experiences and contribute to the local tourism economy. Our grant programs provide funding opportunities for events of varying sizes and purposes. Explore the programs below to learn more about eligibility, funding criteria, and application requirements to find the best fit for your event.

Need assistance? Our Tourism team is here to help. Email [email protected] with any questions.

Helpful Links: 
Stafford County Requirements for Special Events 
Facility Rental Information and Applications
Stafford County Special Events Application
Parks and Facilities Directory 

High Impact Signature Events Grants are provided to assist with expenses that support the promotion and continued growth of recurring, large-scale events in Stafford County, including sporting events, festivals, and other major cultural or entertainment gatherings that generate visitation from outside the local area. The purpose of the High Impact Signature Event Grant is to provide support for high-quality events in Stafford County that, in turn, promote visitation to the county, attract overnight visitors, increase local spending, enhance Stafford County’s positive image, boost the experience economy, and enrich the visitor experience. 

 Basic Application Criteria 

• Event duration: minimum two-day event, including an evening or next-day component
• Minimum room verifications and/or attendees: at least 500 verified room nights and/or at least 5,000 verified attendees, with at least 30% verified from outside the county 
• Minimum funding: $2,500 based on $0.50 per verified attendee or $20 per verified room night, with no funding ceiling  
• Applicants must state in the application whether funding will be based on verified attendees or room nights.  
• Submission deadline: applications must be submitted at least six (6) months before the date of the event  
• Pre-application meeting: in-person or virtual meeting with Stafford County Tourism is required 

The New Events Marketing Grant supports multi-day events in their first three years in Stafford County that aim to become annual or recurring attractions. Eligible events must demonstrate a commitment to growth and attracting visitors from outside the county. The New Events Marketing Grant provides marketing support to events that promote visitation, increase overnight stays and local spending, enhance Stafford County’s image, and enrich the visitor experience. 

Basic Application Criteria  

• Event duration: minimum two-day event, including an evening or next-day component 
• Maximum funding:  
  • Year 1- $20,000; no room night verifications required 
    • Opportunity for an additional $20/room night reimbursement based on verified rooms 
  • • Opportunity for an additional $20/room night reimbursement based on verified rooms
      Year 2 and 3- $10,000; no room night verifications required  
• Submission deadline: applications must be submitted at least six (6) months before the date of the event 
• Pre-application meeting: in-person or virtual meeting with Stafford County Tourism is required  

The Community Event Marketing Grants are provided to non-profit organizations to help cover the costs directly related to promoting and marketing public community-based recreation and entertainment for locals and visitors. The Community Event Marketing Grant is designed to support the launch of high-quality new or small events in Stafford County. These events are intended to drive local and visitor spending, enhance the County’s positive image, strengthen the experience economy, enrich the overall visitor experience, and encourage increased visitation. 

Basic Application Criteria 

• Minimum verifiable attendees: at least 500 verified attendees 
• Maximum funding: $2,500 based on the age of the event 
• Submission deadline: applications must be submitted three (3) months before the date of the event 
• Pre-application meeting: in-person or virtual meeting with Stafford County Tourism is required 

Special events, group meetings, or conferences are defined as organized, non-sporting events such as festivals, conventions, trade shows, corporate meetings, association gatherings, and similar activities held in Stafford County for business, educational, cultural, or community purposes. Special Event/Group Meetings or Conferences Grant funds are provided to organizations to assist in covering various costs directly related to promoting and administering special events, meetings, or conferences, and boosting tourism in Stafford County.  

The purpose of the Special Event/Group Meetings or Conferences Grant is to support high-quality special events, meetings, or conferences that, in turn, promote visitation to the county, attract overnight visitors, increase local spending, enhance Stafford County’s positive image, boost the experience economy, and enrich the visitor experience. 

Basic Application Criteria  

• Minimum room verifications: at least 50 verified room nights 
• Maximum funding: $10,000 based on $20/verified room night  
• Submission deadline: applications must be submitted six (6) months before the event  
• Excluded events: not applicable for exclusive events such as weddings, family reunions, class reunions, etc. 

Sporting events are defined as youth, collegiate, or other sporting events open to the public that attract a majority of participating athletes from outside a 50-mile radius of Stafford County to a sports venue or similar facility located within Stafford County. Sporting Event Grants are provided to sporting event operators to assist in covering various costs directly related to promoting and growing public sporting events and boosting tourism in Stafford County. 

The purpose of the Sporting Event Grant is to support high-quality sporting events and competitions that, in turn, promote visitation to the county, attract overnight visitors, increase local spending, enhance Stafford County’s positive image, boost the experience economy, and enrich the visitor experience. 

Basic Application Criteria 

• Minimum room verifications: at least 100 verified room nights 
• Maximum funding: $20,000 based on $20/verified room night 
• Submission deadline: applications must be submitted six (6) months before the date of the event 

Stafford County Tourism’s Marketing Leverage Grant Program is designed to support high-impact marketing efforts that promote Stafford as a destination, attract new visitors, and drive visitor spending, prioritizing campaigns, projects, and initiatives with strong potential for tourism-related return on investment. 

Basic Application Criteria 

• Minimum requirement for reimbursement: Marketing must target audiences 50+ miles from Stafford County and aim to attract out-of-county and out-of-state visitors 
• Marketing messaging is for attendance at a Stafford County event or visitation to a Stafford County Tourism asset. 
• Maximum funding: $10,000 per fiscal year Submission deadline: applications must be submitted three (3) months before the date of the start of the campaign, project, or initiative 

Not every event is the right fit for one of our grant programs, and that’s okay. Stafford County Tourism is committed to supporting events that enhance our community and visitor experience, even when they don’t meet grant eligibility requirements. If your event is open to the public and contributes to the vibrancy of Stafford County, we may be able to provide non-monetary support at the discretion of the Tourism Program Manager.

Examples of available support include:

• Distribution of Stafford County Tourism visitor information and promotional materials at the event
• Stafford County Tourism branded promotional material support
• Promotion through Stafford County Tourism’s website, event calendar, and social media channels
• Referrals to appropriate Stafford County departments and partner organizations
• Research and visitor data collection to support event planning and evaluation
• Event consultation and guidance to help grow attendance and increase overnight visitation

To submit your event for consideration for non-grant support, email your event information and details (the more information provided, the better) to us at [email protected].