WCVB Grant FAQs

General Program FAQs

What are the WCVB grants? 

The WCVB grants are competitive matching reimbursement grants that promote the development and growth of overnight tourism in Warrensburg, Missouri by fostering and funding marketing efforts of events, sporting events, programs, and projects.

WCVB Tourism Grant: events, programs and projects

WCVB Sports Grant: sporting events

When are grant applications due? 

The 2023-2024 application deadlines for both grants:

  • 5 p.m. Friday, October 27, 2023 
  • 5 p.m. Friday, January 26, 2024 (Subject to fund availability) 
  • 5 p.m. Friday, April 28, 2024 (Subject to fund availability)

The January and April deadlines are completely based on fund availability. Organizations are strongly encouraged to apply early.  The 2023-2024 grant program is for events held Oct 2023-Sept 2024. 

Are there any blackout dates for the grant program? 
Yes! Grants will not be awarded for events held on the weekend (Friday/Saturday) of the Wings Over Whiteman Air Show, UCM Family Weekend, and UCM Homecoming. Those are high-demand dates for our tourism industry partners. Additional lodging is not available. 

What will my organization be required to do for the grant money? 

Each organization that is awarded a grant is required to recognize the WCVB’s contribution by including the WCVB logo on appropriate promotional/marketing pieces including those items highlighting event sponsors.

The organization is required to provide projections for the number of hotel room nights that will be generated by the event and contact a minimum of one Warrensburg lodging establishment to reserve a block of rooms for the event within two weeks of receiving award notification from the WCVB. This reservation must be verified via email with the WCVB tourism director.  The WCVB reserves the right to not award grant funds to those organizations that fail to reserve lodging within the specified time and those that do not occupy at least 50% of the rooms blocked off. 

How many applications may an organization submit? 

Organizations are limited to receiving one grant per program year. The WCVB reserves the option to limit an organization receiving a grant for no more than eight years. The grant is to be used for starting funds and not as a permanent revenue source.

When can the organization expect to receive the grant funds? 

The required materials (reimbursement form with receipts attached, evaluation form, and the hotel tracking form with supporting documentation from partner hotel(s) must be completed within 30 days of the closing of the event/completion of the project. The organization receiving funds is responsible for securing a letter, rooming list, or other supporting documentation from Warrensburg hotel(s) confirming room night production shown on the hotel tracking form.  Grant awards will be mailed within 30 days of receiving the completed post-event forms and required documentation. The WCVB reserves the right to not award grant funds if requirements are not met.

Tourism Marketing Grant FAQs

Who is eligible to apply for the WCVB Tourism Marketing grant? 

Applicant must be a nonprofit organization (501c3 or 501c6) seeking to produce and promote a well-defined tourism-oriented project, program, or event aimed at tourism development or marketing that promotes local tourism attractions and brings visitors to Warrensburg that will create overnight stays in Warrensburg's lodging facilities. The application must provide a tax ID number, proof of event liability insurance, and a completed W-9 form.

What kinds of expenses does the WCVB Tourism Marketing grant cover?

This grant was created to assist with promoting the event, program, or project to drive tourism to Warrensburg. Only marketing expenses targeted to audiences located outside Warrensburg a minimum of 50+ miles will be accepted for reimbursement. The committee will closely evaluate the applicant's marketing plan and budget prior to awarding the grant. Eligible expenses include newspaper ads, magazine ads, professional publications, digital ads, radio ads, billboards, etc. Receipts are required to be submitted with the post-event reimbursement form. If an applicant questions if an expense is eligible, they are strongly encouraged to contact the WCVB office. The maximum award is $3,500.

What is NOT covered by the WCVB Tourism Marketing grant? 

Below is a partial list of expenses of expenditures that are NOT eligible for grant fund consideration. Any expense deemed by the WCVB to be ineligible, by either the policies of the grant program or statutes governing the use of the lodging tax funds, will be denied.

  • Administrative Costs
  • Marketing Efforts inside the 50-mile radius of the Warrensburg area
  • Capital Improvements
  • Equipment
  • Items for Resale
  • Ongoing Operating Expenditures
  • Personnel Expense
  • Professional Services including Legal, Medical Engineering, Accounting, or Auditing

Sports Grant FAQs

Who is eligible to apply for the WCVB Sports grant? 

Applicant must be a nonprofit organization (501c3 and 501c6) seeking to produce and promote a well-defined sporting event in the Warrensburg area that is expected to produce overnight lodging business and whose audience is at least 50% from outside a 50-mile radius of the Warrensburg area. The application must provide a tax ID number, proof of event liability insurance, and a completed W-9 form.

What kinds of expenses does the WCVB Sports grant cover? 

The sports grant was created to assist local organizers in planning and executing sports events in the Warrensburg area that is expected to produce overnight lodging business with an audience of at least 50% from outside the Warrensburg area (at least 50+ miles). The committee will closely evaluate the applicant’s budget and hotel room night projections prior to awarding the grant. Eligible expenses include official salaries, facility rental, trophies or medals, and event marketing targeted to those 50+ miles from Warrensburg. Receipts are required to be submitted with the post-event reimbursement form. If an applicant questions if an expense is eligible, they are strongly encouraged to contact the WCVB office. The maximum award is $3,000.

What is NOT covered by the WCVB Sports grant?

Below is a partial list of expenses of expenditures that are NOT eligible for grant fund consideration. Any expense deemed by the WCVB to be ineligible, by either the policies of the grant program or statutes governing the use of the lodging tax funds, will be denied.

  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Hospitality Room Food/Beverages
  • Concession Stand Items
  • Cleaning Items
  • Prize Money
  • Supplies-i.e. balls, uniforms, give-away T-shirts