Tourism Board Accepting Grant Applications

The Hillsborough Tourism Board is accepting grant applications from local nonprofits for programs and projects that will increase tourism and help more people enjoy Hillsborough and all it has to offer in person. Preference in scoring will go to grant applications that can demonstrate that the project will directly bring visitors to town. 

Applications opened at 8 a.m. Feb. 27 and are due at 5 p.m. April 7. Staff offers an early review to confirm that an application is complete for those applications submitted by 5 p.m. April 3.

To streamline the process and make scoring more efficient, all applications will be made online via the submission management system Submittable: hillsboroughnc.submittable.com/submit

Grant requests can range from $500 to $10,000 and require a 20% match. Applicants seeking funding for multiple projects must complete separate applications for each project. Funded projects must take place between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.

“The past few years have been really hard for many of our local businesses,” said Shannan Campbell, Hillsborough’s planning and economic development manager and the staff support to the Tourism Board. “The Tourism Board is looking specifically for ideas and projects that will bring people back to town to explore everything that Hillsborough has to offer. Hillsborough is the small town getaway that many people have been waiting for.”  

The Tourism Board plans to award a grant to the top scoring application at its meeting at 5:30 p.m. May 1. Past recipients have included organizers of public concerts, art and food festivals, theatrical productions, and historical exhibits.

For more information, contact Campbell by email or by phone at 919-296-9477.