How do I apply for the Sports Event Grant Program?

22 March 2024

The TDC’s Category III Sports Funding Program is permitted under state statutes as a means of advertising and promoting tourism to St. Johns County. Funding is to be used for presenting high-quality amateur or professional athletic events that will attract overnight visitors, and to advertise and promote these activities.

Below are the priority considerations the TDC will look for when evaluating sports funding requests.

Economic Benefit. Focus will be on the total number of out-of-county participants and spectators and the length of their stay.
Dates of the Event. Priority consideration will be given to events held during periods of lower occupancy.
Duration of the Event. Priority consideration will be given to those with more days or overnight stays in St. Johns County.
Potential for Future Events. Priority consideration will be given to those event organizers with similar or related events that could be held in the county.
Sports Segments. Priority consideration will be given to activities that diversify the events held in the county.
Event Visibility. Priority consideration will be given to high-profile events such as national, state and regional championships.

Program

Online Application

Eligible Events – An eligible athletic event consists of game(s), exhibition(s), tournament(s), and other sports-related events planned, presented, promoted and played at planned intervals in St. Johns County.

Objective – To attract high-quality amateur and professional sporting events which, in turn, advance and promote tourism and enhance the quality of life in St. Johns County through sports.
Process – Award grants for reimbursement of approved expenses for qualified athletic events to event organizers with a proven ability to present and promote quality sports opportunities in cooperation with the tourism industry. (Reimbursement is made after completion of the event and submission of a final event report, which includes verification of actual room nights by local hotels.) Reimbursement is not contingent upon the number of room nights but upon submission of the receipts for eligible expenses. Grantees may not submit duplicate receipts to another government agency for reimbursement.