Grants - CASS COUNTY

How To Apply

APPLICATION PROCESS:

All applicants are required to submit the standard application form and required attachments by the posted deadline date(s).

DEADLINES:

All applications must be received or postmarked no later than the deadline date. No exceptions will be made to this policy. Applications sent via fax will not be accepted.

2020 Marketing Grant Application – Deadline for intent to apply: January 31, 2020

2020 CIP Guidelines Intent – Deadline for intent to apply: January 31, 2020

The Program

Administered by the Cass County Tourism Committee (an advisory group to the Cass county Board of Commissioners), the annual grant program is designed to promote tourism in the county by providing funding to tourism-related nonprofit organizations. There are two categories of grants available: Capital Improvement Projects & Marketing.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT

The purpose of this grant is to attract additional visitors to Cass County by providing funding to improve Cass County’s public and nonprofit attractions. The funds available through this grant are provided from the Visitors Improvement Fund lodging tax, and are for capital improvements to attractions and recreational facilities only. Granted monies shall be used for a new structure, preservation of an existing structure or new equipment built or installed to permanently add or enhance value and/or capacity to the site.

Eligibility & Criteria for Assistance:

Public organizations with nonprofit 501(c)3 or other non-profit designation. Proof of nonprofit status must accompany application. The project must expand, improve or add to an existing attraction or create a new attraction that is open to the public and is of educational, cultural, historical, artistic, and/or recreational significance.
Organization must not have an open project that they have been awarded previously.
The project must promote tourism and generate visibility for Cass County.
Project must be completed within 18 months of grant award date: Oct. 15, 2014. Request for extension will only be considered by written request to Cass County Tourism Committee prior to 18-month deadline.
Grant requires a 50% match with up to 25% total of in-kind receipted donated materials and documented in-kind/volunteer labor (valued at $10.00 per hour).
“Funded in part by Cass County Tourism” must appear permanently at the project site.
It is the sole responsibility of the Grantee to obtain all necessary local and state permits.
A report including updated project narrative and actual expenses must be submitted to the Cass County Tourism Committee no later than 60 days after project completion.
Grant payment will be made based upon documentation of actual expenditures.

MARKETING GRANT

The purpose of this grant is to attract additional visitors to Cass County by providing funding to promote events, activities and/or general marketing for Cass County’s public and nonprofit attractions. The funds available through this program are from the collection of Lodging Tax in Cass County. The statute states that these funds are to be used to generally promote, encourage, and attract visitors to Cass County and to use tourism facilities. It specifically states that these funds cannot be used for capital construction or improvements. Each Grant request may not exceed 2,500.00. All eligible marketing expenses must be documented and will be reimbursed at a rate of 75%, not to exceed the $2,500.00 maximum. Only one marketing grant may be submitted for each project. Budget must accompany application.

Eligibility & Criteria for Assistance:

Public organizations with nonprofit 501(c)3 or other non-profit designation. Proof of nonprofit status must accompany application.
Funds are available on a competitive basis to any visitor attraction, community event, or area (more than one community) event held within Cass County with 501(c) (3) or other nonprofit status whose primary purpose is to encourage tourism and promote Cass County.
Priority will be given to events that encourage visitors from outside our area.
Grant project must be completed within calendar year.

Marketing Grants Awarded

2019

February 19, 2019 the following Grants were given final approved by the Cass County Commissioners for Visitor Promotion in Cass County.

American Legion Post 247 – $1,273.19
Marketing – 2019 Events

Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation – $2,186.38
Marketing – 2019 Events

B.U.I.L.D. (Businesses United In Louisville’s Development) – $2,500.00
Advertising – Last Hot Sunday in July Car Show

Cass County Agricultural Society – $2,500.00
Marketing – 2017 Cass County Fair

Eagle Vision – $1,250.00
Marketing – Eagle Fun Days

Elmwood Public Library – $503.00
Summer Fun Community Kickoff

Elmwood-Murdock Merchants Association – $1,997.50
Marketing – Elmwood Holiday Extravaganza

Elmwood-Murdock Merchants Association – $1,250.00
Marketing – Murdock July 4^th Celebration

Friends of Lewis & Clark Bicentennial – $2,500.00
2017 Advertising – Lewis & Clark County Brochures and Posters

Plattsmouth Harvest Festival – $2,500.00
Advertising – 2019 Event

Lofte Community Theatre – $2,500.00
Marketing – Season Flyers

Murray Freedom Festival – $1,375.00
Marketing – July 4^th Celebration.

Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries – $2,500.00
Marketing – Summer Camps- Conference space promotions

Nebraska Story Arts – $1,331.25
Marketing – Moonshell Storytelling Festival at Mahoney State Park National and regional storytellers will take part to preserve the art of storytelling

Plattsmouth Chamber of Commerce – $2,500.00
Marketing – 2019 Events

Plattsmouth Conservancy – $1,o00.00
Marketing – 2019 Events

Plattsmouth Recreation Department – $745.00
Marketing – Brochures outside of Cass County

Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum – $2,500.00
National Space Day Celebration

Village of Manley – $1,212.50
Pillage the Village Event

Weeping Water Chamber of Commerce – $990.00
Marketing – Events Promotion

Weeping Water Valley Historical Society – $562.50
Marketing – Rack Cards

TOTAL: $35,176.32

2018

February 21, 2018 the following Grants were given final approved by the Cass County Commissioners for Visitor Promotion in Cass County.

American Legion Post 247 – $1,488.75
Marketing – 2017 Events

Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation – $1,577.30
Marketing – 2017 Events

B.U.I.L.D. (Businesses United In Louisville’s Development) – $2,500.00
Advertising – Last Hot Sunday in July Car Show

Cass County Agricultural Society – $2,500.00
Marketing – 2017 Cass County Fair

Eagle Vision – $2,500.00
Marketing – Eagle Fun Days

Elmwood Public Library – $487.50
Stories on the Street – Shakespeare Festival

Elmwood-Murdock Merchants Association – $2,332.50
Marketing – Elmwood Holiday Extravaganza

Elmwood-Murdock Merchants Association – $2,332.50
Marketing – Murdock July 4^th Celebration

Friends of Lewis & Clark Bicentennial – $2,500.00
2017 Advertising – Lewis & Clark County Brochures and Posters

Kass Kounty King Korn Klub – $2,500.00
Advertising – 2017 Plattsmouth Harvest Festival

Lofte Community Theatre – $2,500.00
Marketing – 2017 Newspaper Advertising

Murray Freedom Festival – $1,350.00
Marketing – July 4^th Celebration.

Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries – $1,875.00
Marketing – Summer Camps- Conference space promotions

Nebraska Story Arts – $1,500.00
Marketing – Moonshell Storytelling Festival at Mahoney State Park National and regional storytellers will take part to preserve the art of storytelling

Plattsmouth Chamber of Commerce – $2,500.00
Marketing – 2017 Plattsmouth Chamber Promotions…Cruzin Main, Amazing Race, Taste of Plattsmouth…

Plattsmouth Conservancy – $1,500.00
Marketing – Events: Garden Party, Christmas Event, Victorian Tour

Plattsmouth Main Street – $1,300.00
Marketing – 1^st Annual Food Truck War/Street Dance

Plattsmouth VFW Post 2543 – $1,500.00
Marketing – Events: Motorcycle and Auto Club events and entertainment

Plattsmouth Recreation Department – $745.00
Marketing – Brochures outside of Cass County

Nebraska Game and Parks – $1,318.10
Event Banners at Platte River State Park – Louisville

Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museam – $2,500.00
Nebraska ‘Highway 66’ Concourse Classic Auto Show

Scenic Weeping Water Valley Association – $1,875.00
Marketing – Event Marketing/General Advertising

Village of Avoca – $1,872.50
Village website and newsletter creation

Village of Nehawka – $1,872.50
Village website and newsletter creation

Village of Manley – $750.00
Pillage the Village Event

Weeping Water Chamber of Commerce – $2,500.00
Marketing – Event Advertising and Rack Cards

Women in the Outdoors – Omaha Chapter – $704.25
Annual Women’s Outdoor Skills Workshop at Platte River State Park This program was started in 1998 to introduce women to the outdoors and our nations hunting and conservation traditions.

TOTAL: $48,880.90

2017

February 21, 2017 the following Grants were given final approved by the Cass County Commissioners for Visitor Promotion in Cass County.