Purpose:

The VisitErie Event Matching Funds Program was created to provide matching dollars to event planners to use to for promotions or event operations for events that attract visitors outside of Erie County. If the funds will be used for marketing, the focus needs to be marketing to visitors outside of Erie County.

Available Funds for 2025: $20,000

VisitErie has a total of $20,000 in available funds to be awarded for event promotion or operations in 2025. Fund requests up to $1,000 will be considered. Grants will be awarded up to 20 businesses holding an event during the months of January through December 2025. Approved project applications will receive a dollar-for-dollar match from VisitErie for marketing or event operations. Checks will be issued once creative assets have been approved by VisitErie. 

The amount of $7,000 has been allocated for Round One.
Round Two: $13,000

Deadline for Round Two applications is April 11. Applicants will be notified by April 25.

Eligible Applicants:

Applicants must be located within Erie County, Pennsylvania and host an event that draws out-of-town visitors.

Qualifications

• Applicants are not required to be partners of VisitErie, but preference will be given to VisitErie partners.
• Applicants cannot apply for more than one Event Matching Funds.
• Applicants will send materials to VisitErie for review prior to the launch of event development and operations.
• Applicants must outline use of matching dollars.
• Campaign must be executed by the applicant in the 2025 calendar year.
• Event should have broad appeal to tourists.
• Planning a sporting event? Apply for an event grant through the Erie Sports Commission.

How the program works if selected:

• Applications will be reviewed by VisitErie and scored based on these program criteria:
  
  • Target Market
  • Regional Promotion
  • Event Goals
  • Budget
• Applicant send materials to VisitErie for review prior to the launch of the campaign.
• Applicant will track program and provide a report to VisitErie to measure its success and event participation no more than 30 days from event taking place.
• If a final report is not provided, this will jeopardize future participation in Matching Funds programs.

Deadline for Round One applications is April 11. Applicants will be notified by April 25.

IMPORTANT: We are currently experiencing technical difficulties with our online submissions. Before clicking the submission button, please print your completed application as a PDF and email it to mmorgan@visiterie.com ensure it is received.