Tourism Marketing Grants
Overview
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau d/b/a Coastal Mississippi (herein “Coastal Mississippi Tourism”) sales and marketing programs are funded by lodging tax and governed by Mississippi law. Coastal Mississippi Tourism revenue is earned through advertising, sales, and lodging reservations booked and actualized room nights. (Coastal Mississippi Tourism awarded federal and state grant dollars, which are strictly prohibited by law from any sub-award and are not included in any support.)
The Tourism Marketing Grant opportunities are:
Please note: All grants are limited by available funds and commission approval. Applications meeting and exemplifying the qualifications are presented to the commission for final approval. W-9s are a required submission for payment.
Coastal Mississippi's Marketing & PR Grant allocates funds to support tourism marketing and public relations for partners in Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson counties. The grant aims to stimulate economic activity and increase overnight visits in Coastal Mississippi. By leveraging our tourism partners' marketing budgets, the program seeks to enhance the economic impact of tourism in both the region and the state.
This program is not intended to be a sustainable funding source. Tourism partners are eligible, but not guaranteed, to receive funds for a maximum of three (3) years. See rules and eligibility for more details.
MAX AWARD: $10,000
This grant requires a 1:1 cash match of awarded funds.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 1, 2025
Coastal Mississippi's Community Grant is a fiscal allocation of funds dedicated to providing marketing and production support for community events or activities in Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson counties. The purpose of the grant is to assist with the marketing and production of established events to enhance the overall attendee experience to improve the quality of life within our Coastal communities.
Note: This is a revised program and differs significantly from previous Coastal Mississippi event grants and programs. This grant is for single or half-day community events that take place in Coastal Mississippi and improve the quality of life within the community.
This program is not intended to be a sustainable funding source. Tourism partners are eligible, but not guaranteed, to receive funds for a maximum of three (3) years. See rules and eligibility for more details.
MAX AWARD: $500
APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 1, 2025
Coastal Mississippi's Cultural Events Grant is a fiscal allocation of funds dedicated to providing tourism marketing and production support for cultural events in Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson counties. The grant's purpose is to assist with the marketing and production of established events, growing attendance, enhancing the visitor experience, and promoting Coastal Mississippi as a premier year-round leisure destination—ultimately increasing overnight visitation and regional economic impact.
Note: This is a revised program and differs significantly from previous Coastal Mississippi event grants and programs. This grant is for multiple-day events that take place in Coastal Mississippi and that generate room nights in Coastal Mississippi.
This program is not intended to be a sustainable funding source. Tourism partners are eligible, but not guaranteed, to receive funds for a maximum of three (3) years. See rules and eligibility for more details.
MAX AWARD: $10,000
APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 1, 2025
Email Kendra Simpson, Director of Marketing, at kendra@coastalmississippi.com with any questions.
