Tourism Funding Program

The Harford County Partnership Grant supports festivals, events, exhibits and other programming initiatives that foster collaboration between two or more organizations to attract visitors from outside the county’s borders and drive overnight hotel stays within the county. This grant seeks to fund experiences that combine cultural attractions, outdoor recreation, arts, heritage, sports, or other unique tourism opportunities with coordinated efforts to enhance partnerships and visitor engagement. 

Eligible projects will demonstrate partnerships that align to create overnight travel opportunities by hosting events, tours, workshops, festivals, or other interactive programs or events that showcase the county’s unique offerings over an extended period that promote and encourage overnight hotel stays. These experiences should emphasize community collaboration, attract diverse audiences, and generate measurable economic impact through hotel stays, dining, and visitor spending. 

Goals of the Grant

• Cross-Organizational Collaboration: Having two or more organizations collaborating will enable each organization to achieve greater success
• Overnight Stay Incentives: Creating opportunities for visitors to stay overnight in the county by providing attractions, events, or packages that motivate extended visits
• Cultural, Recreational, and Experiential Offerings: Showcasing programs and events highlighting the county’s history, arts, natural assets, recreation opportunities, or culinary experiences
• Community & Economic Impact: Stimulating local economic activity by leveraging local businesses, lodging providers, and regional attractions

Order of Priority

Approved applications will be funded based on the following priority order (listed from highest priority to lowest):

• Projects involving partnerships between two or more nonprofit tourism-related organizations with majority grant funds used for direct tourism-related marketing costs will receive top priority. The grant will be awarded to whichever nonprofit is designated as the lead partner. The lead partner applicant organization will apply.  
• Projects involving partnerships between a non-profit tourism-related organization and a for-profit tourism-related organization with majority grant funds used for direct tourism-related event marketing costs will be given consideration. The grant will be awarded to the non-profit and must be utilized by the non-profit. No grant funds may be paid directly to the for-profit partner. The nonprofit organization will apply and receive the funds. 

Application Evaluation Criteria

• Conveys a concise plan for an easily identifiable tourism-related, collaborative festival, event, exhibit or program that draws an audience from OUTSIDE the borders of Harford County and encourages and promotes overnight hotel stays
• Clearly articulates the intent of the applicant’s festival, event, exhibit, or program is to drive overnight hotel stays in Harford County and provides projections of the number of rooms generated  
• Clearly demonstrates efforts to pursue additional funding sources, other than Harford County Government, that support the festival, event, exhibit, or program through sponsorship, another grant, donor, fundraising efforts, etc. 
• Demonstrates involvement and consent of partnerships for festival, event, exhibit, or program and provides letters of commitment from all partnerships. 
• Ability to capture data and objective outcomes for measuring the success of initiative, with a particular focus on projected calculations on the amount of tourism spending that will occur in the county 
• History of each organization’s track record with initiatives in the past and their ability to deliver success 

Additional Information

If an applicant has a history of non-compliance with any past Harford County grant program, including in the first three-quarters of the FY25 award, funding may be denied entirely or disbursed in installments throughout the FY26 program year. If the award recipient continues to be non-compliant for FY25 or FY26, the county may delay the execution of the grant agreement or terminate future installments.

Funds may not be used for daily operating costs or capital improvements. Funds must be directly attributed to tourism-related festivals, events, exhibits, and other programming as outlined in the scope summary report in the executed grant agreement. 

Reporting

Reporting requirements include quarterly budget and activity reporting that are reflective of the approved budget included in the executed grant agreement. Receipts/invoices and proof of payment are required quarterly for all expenses/costs approved through the approved budget. 

 Required Documentation

• List of all general/limited partners, shareholders and board members of all organizations (Please include Name, Organization, Affiliation/Role and Years with organization)
• List of key staff, titles, and number of years with each organization
• A copy of GOOD STANDING with the Maryland State Department of Assessment and Taxation.  (Visit the following website to confirm these requirements and initiate any corrective action, if necessary: https://egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress/EntitySearch)
• A copy of GOOD STANDING with Maryland Office of the Secretary of State, Charitable Organization Division.  (Visit the following website to confirm these requirements and initiate any corrective action, if necessary: Secretary of State Charity Search)
• 501(c)(3) or 501 (c)(6) documentation
• Most Recently filed Form 990 
• Balance Sheet and Income Statement for fiscal year 2023 of all partnering organizations
• Most recent Balance Sheets and Income Statements for fiscal year 2024 of all partnering organizations
• Letter(s) of support from all partnering organizations that demonstrate consent of partnership and willingness to collaborate to facilitate the program/event

The Harford County Community Impact Grant program is designed to support an individual nonprofit or municipality with creating, expanding, or enhancing events that drive tourism and economic growth in the county. This can include, but is not limited to, festivals, events, exhibits, and other programming that attract individuals to either overnight stays or day trips.

Funds not used by the Partnership Grant program will be set aside for use by the Community Impact Grant program. The Partnership Grant program will receive priority funding; thus, it is recommended that organizations take steps to put themselves in a position to qualify for the Partnership Grant program.

Goals of the Grant

• Assist in the development of creative and innovative approaches to increase tourism in Harford County, with an emphasis on the attraction of out-of-county visitors
• Enable organizations to become more sustainable and self-sufficient
• Promote Harford County's cultural, recreational, and experiential offerings
• Stimulate local economic activity by leveraging local businesses, lodging providers, and regional attractions

Order of Priority

Approved applications will be funded based on the following priority order (listed from highest priority to lowest):

• Requests for direct tourism-related marketing costs for festivals, events, exhibits, and other programming by a non-tourism-related organization and/or municipality
• Requests for non-marketing expenses for festivals, events, exhibits, and other programming by a non-profit organization and/or municipality that will attract attendance locally and/or visitors from outside of the county and state
• Requests for funds for internal operational expenses by a non-profit tourism-related organization, including up to 75% of salaries of key employees; note: the program will further prioritize funding for those organizations demonstrating the ability to work towards self-sustainability
• Requests for funds for a festival, event, exhibit, and other programming that is beneficial to the community's culture and quality of life by a nonprofit non-tourism-related organization
• Requests for funds for a festival, event, exhibit, other programming or program sponsorship by a nonprofit non-tourism-related organization and/or municipality

Application Evaluation Criteria

• Conveys a concise plan for an easily identifiable, tourism-related collaborative program or event, preferably one that draws and encourages overnight hotel stays, attracts out-of-county day trippers, and welcomes an audience from the local area
• Demonstrates the ability to secure additional funding sources other than Harford County Government that support the program or event through sponsorship(s), another grant donor, fundraising efforts, philanthropic donations, etc.
• Ability to capture data and objective outcomes for measuring the success of initiatives, with a particular focus on projected calculations of the amount of tourism spending that will occur in the county
• The organization's track record with its past initiatives and ability to deliver successful programming
• Organization's financial need for funds
• Organizations compliance with reporting and execution of past Harford County grant awards

Additional Information

If an applicant has a history of non-compliance with any past Harford County grant program, including in the first three-quarters of the FY25 award, funding may be denied entirely or disbursed in installments throughout the FY26 program year. If the award recipient continues to be non-compliant for FY25 or FY26, the county may delay the execution of the grant agreement or terminate future installments.

Funds may not be used for daily operating costs or capital improvements. Funds must be directly attributed to tourism-related festivals, events, exhibits, and other programming as outlined in the scope summary report in the executed grant agreement. To encourage long-term sustainability, staff salaries will be capped at 75% for the first-year award, 50% for the second-year award, 25% for the third-year award, and 0% for any subsequent year award.

Reporting

Reporting requirements include quarterly budget and activity reporting that are reflective of the approved budget included in the executed grant agreement. Receipts/invoices and proof of payment are required quarterly for all expenses/costs approved through the approved budget. 

 Required Documentation

• List of all general/limited partners, shareholders and board members (Please include Name, Organization, Affiliation/Role and Years with organization)
• List of key staff, titles, and number of years with organization
• A copy of GOOD STANDING with the Maryland State Department of Assessment and Taxation.  (Visit the following website to confirm these requirements and initiate any corrective action, if necessary: https://egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress/EntitySearch)
• A copy of GOOD STANDING with Maryland Office of the Secretary of State, Charitable Organization Division.  (Visit the following website to confirm these requirements and initiate any corrective action, if necessary: Secretary of State Charity Search)
• 501(c)(3) or 501 (c)(6) documentation
• Most Recently filed Form 990 
• Balance Sheet and Income Statement for fiscal year 2023
• Most recent Balance Sheets and Income Statements for fiscal year 2024

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1. Who should I call with questions regarding either the Partnership Fund or the Community Impact Fund? Where should I direct questions from someone else regarding either the Partnership Fund or the Community Impact Fund? 
   Contact the Harford County Department of Economic Development at ded@harfordcountymd.gov or 410-638-3059.
2. Our non-profit is not currently in good standing, but we're working on it. Can we still get funding?
    No, non-profits MUST be in good standing with the State of Maryland at the time of application.
3. What items are ineligible to use for funding? 
    Property acquisition, capital building projects, retirement or the reduction of debt and equipment such as computers, copiers, etc., that would be used for daily office functions. 
4. My non-profit already has a multi-day event. Do we still need to partner with another organization?
    Yes, partnerships are required to receive funding through the Partnership Fund.
5. How will the funding be distributed between partners in the Partnership Fund? 
    Every application will have a lead applicant and a partner applicant. If approved, the lead applicant will receive the entirety of the funding and will be responsible for distributing funds to the partner applicant based on the agreement outlined in the application. 
6. Would taking two separate events that were ineligible on their own to combine to make a multi-day event be eligible? 
    Yes, if you can justify how the two are connected by creating something a programmatic theme. You must demonstrate how you’re driving overnight stays by getting visitors to want to be at both events or programs. 
7. How do you determine a lead applicant? 
    The partner organizations are the ones who put forth their choice as the lead applicant. Justification can be made in the application’s narrative.
8. Can the same Harford County tourism-related nonprofit be a partner for multiple applications for the Partnership Fund?  
    Not as the lead. An organization can only apply as the lead organization on one Partnership Fund application.  
9. On the Partnership Fund application, do questions apply to all partnering organizations? 
    Unless otherwise specified, each question refers to the lead organization.
10. Can a Parks and Recreation council be a partner organization?
     No, as their primary mission is to primarily provide recreational opportunities within their own jurisdiction, and not from outside the borders of Harford County. 
11. For the Partnership Fund, do we need to submit one budget for each organization?
     No, the budget that is submitted with the application is the budget requested for grant funds only.
12. Can you recap the priority hierarchy for the applications? 
     Partnership Fund requests will take first priority, with remaining funds given to Community Impact Fund requests. The order of priority is as follows:
    Partnership Fund: 
     - Projects involving partnerships between two or more nonprofit tourism-related organizations with majority grant funds used for direct tourism-related marketing costs will receive top priority. The grant will be awarded to whichever nonprofit is designated as the lead partner. The lead partner applicant organization will apply. 
     - Projects involving partnerships between a non-profit tourism-related organization and a for-profit tourism-related organization with majority grant funds used for direct tourism-related event marketing costs will be given consideration. The grant will be awarded to the non-profit and must be utilized by the non-profit. No grant funds may be paid directly to the for-profit partner. The nonprofit organization will apply and receive the funds.
    Community Impact Fund: 
     - Requests for direct tourism-related marketing costs for festivals, events, exhibits, and other programming by a nonprofit tourism-related organization and/or municipality
     - Requests for non-marketing expenses for festivals, events, exhibits, and other programming by a non-profit organization and/or municipality that will attract attendance locally and/or visitors from outside of the county and state
     - Requests for funds for internal operational expenses by a non-profit tourism-related organization, including up to 75% of salaries of key employees; note: the program will further prioritize funding for those organizations demonstrating the ability to work towards self-sustainability
     - Requests for funds for a festival, event, exhibit, and other programming that is beneficial to the community's culture and quality of life by a nonprofit non-tourism-related organization
     - Requests for funds for a festival, event, exhibit, other programming or program sponsorship by a nonprofit non-tourism-related organization and/or municipality
13. Do you have to personally distinguish which priority category you fall into?
     No, that selection will be done internally by the review committee. 
14. Does the county track hotel stays?
     Yes, but not tied to specific events. 
15. For the Community Impact Fund, when applying for operational funds, do we need to include the entire organizational budget?
     No, the budget that is submitted with the application is the budget requested for grant funds only.
16. Does the W9 form need to be re-submitted, even if we have been awarded funds in the past?
     Yes, it is an internal requirement for organizations to have updated forms every year. 
17. Is a screenshot of our Good Standing certificate sufficient?
     Yes.
18. Where does the Harford County logo need to be included, per the grant requirements?
     The logo will need to be included on all promotional and/or marketing materials for any event, exhibit, or program partially or fully funded by the grant. Detailed instructions on usage will be included with award documentation for all recipients.
19. What was the total amount of funding awarded in FY25 and who were the recipients?
    Please see the official press release.  
20. What is the amount budgeted for grants awards for FY26?
     $770,000.
21. After the committee reviews the applications, can they change the recommended budget?
     The committee submits recommendations for grant awards; the final amount disbursed is at the discretion of the County Executive.  
22. Can you offer any recommendations on how much money we should apply for?
     Apply for a tangible, measurable amount that you are able to support with data and track with receipts while keeping in mind the priority funding list and the potential amount of requests that will be received for an award.  
23. Are 501c(3) organizations county specific?
     Please use the address where your nonprofit organization is registered with the State of Maryland to determine eligibility - only organizations registered in Harford County are eligible to apply. 
24. Is there a time limit with the Community Impact Fund, as you could only apply for the Harford Strides Fund for two consecutive years?
     No, but if you continuously apply for operational costs via a salary over multiple years, the amount covered by the grant will decrease each year.
25. What is the timeframe during which funded activities must take place?
     July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.  
26. Who comprises the review committee?
    The review committee is comprised of members of our Economic Development Advisory Board. 
27. We are considering three concerts with three different non-profits that are holding an event on a second day. Can you give me any recommendations on how we would apply for this?
     The purpose of the Partnership Fund is to draw overnight hotel stays to Harford County. All events must be tied together and/or over consecutive days to encourage at least one hotel stay. Only partner with organizations that are vital to the success of the event or program and prepare to explain how the event or program is conducive to creating overnight stays.
28. If a concert series, festival, etc. is applying for a Partnership Fund application, do the events need to the be on the same day as the organization you partner with?
     No, events may be on consecutive days. 
29. Does a greater amount of partners make your application stronger?
     No, only partner with organizations that are vital to the success of the event or program. Also, remember that all event or program partners will need to provide documentation as part of the application process and will need to be on the signed grant agreement. 
30. Is there a priority of funding for specific budget line items?
     Marketing costs will always take first priority, as per the detailed priority funding list. Also, please note the decreasing coverage for salaries over consecutive years. For other supplies, services, etc. on the budget, there is no priority based on which items you are requesting to fund. 
31. Does this grant require matching funds?
     No.