Q: Who is eligible to apply? 
A: For-profit businesses and nonprofit organizations may apply. Applicants must be located in New Mexico and registered as a federally recognized for-profit or nonprofit entity.

Q: What are the grant amounts?
A: There are two types of funding opportunities for the 2023 grant cycle: 

Innovator:
Visit Albuquerque Tourism Grant Innovator applicants may apply for up to $50,000 for project implementation. A 1:1 funding match is required for the amount requested. 

Incubator:
Visit Albuquerque Tourism Grant Incubator applicants may apply for up to $10,000 for project implementation. Two letters of support are required and should be from entities or stakeholders that will benefit directly from the proposed project. Please note, a total of up to six Incubator Visit Albuquerque Tourism Grants will be awarded in the 2023 grant cycle.

Q: What types of projects are eligible?
A: Potential project types could include development of products or assets for experiences, infrastructure improvements or arts and culture programs. Please see the Visit Albuquerque Tourism Grant Guide for example projects.

Preference will be given to projects operating in the city of Albuquerque that build new, innovative experiences or assets with an estimated completion date on or before March 31, 2024. Additionally, applicants that demonstrate collaboration between multiple community organizations of various sizes are more likely to receive grant funding. 

Q: When is the deadline?
A: 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 28, 2023 

Q: Who decides what project(s) receive funding?
A: The Visit Albuquerque Tourism Grant Program committee (page 4 of the Visit Albuquerque Tourism Grant Guide) reviews applications and considers project viability, capacity to build community and benefit tourism and ability to demonstrate project strength using THRIVE criteria (page 5 of the Visit Albuquerque Tourism Grant Guide).

Q: Who can I contact with application questions and support?
A: grants@visitabq.org

Community Q&A

In the interests of transparency and to give all applicants access to additional information provided via the grants@visitabq.org contact, Q&A will be posted publicly weekly. The last date to submit questions is Monday, April 24, to ensure a transparent and equitable process. Some questions have been edited to protect privacy. Information that has been edited is shown in brackets.

Q: I’ve been in conversation with folks involved in organizations surrounding [my neighborhood] as well. We were discussing putting together neighborhood packets of info for Balloon Fiesta… but also our organization would love more ways to bring folks to [events in my neighborhood]. Do you have ideas as well? 

A: In the Grant Guide on pg. 6 we have some example project types that might spur some ideas as to how your programs might fit with what we are looking for. You are encouraged to think of projects that will enhance the overall destination and generate new products/experiences to attract visitors. This isn’t necessarily a dedicated marketing program.

Q: Can the matching requirement for the Tourism grant be in-kind or does it have to be hard dollars? Also, is the $50,000 ceiling for project implementation include the match (so $25K to $25K match)? 

A: The matching requirement is hard dollars; however you can use another grant as your match. $50,000 is the maximum that Visit Albuquerque would award, so the maximum would be ($50k grant, $50k match). 

Q: I have an ask out to a local nonprofit organization to fund a variety of markets/events we’re doing this year. If we are chosen for that grant would that work as a matching grant for your funding?

A: Yes, you can use another grant to match your funding request.

Q: If multiple organizations/business associations wanted to partner, is it possible for one nonprofit to apply and then disperse funds to those partner orgs? Nonprofit or for-profit? 

A: Yes, a nonprofit can act as the funding entity and collaborate with multiple entities, including for-profits. Collaboration is encouraged, please include the names of your partners in your application. 

Q: I am inquiring whether the Tourism grant allows for funding of fiscally sponsored projects. 

A: Yes, just as the match can be cash or another grant source, a sponsor could also provide the matching funds for a proposed project.

Q: Can you tell me if the other info session is happening or if you’ll be rescheduling this one?  The questions we have are mostly financial ones, specifically related to how the match works, what budgetary requirements from us that you’ll need, how funds are tracked, spending guidelines and what is required as follow-up report to the grant being awarded.

A: For the financials, we require that you have matching funds for the amount requested, this could be cash on hand or another grant. When you look at the application form you will see what information we are requesting up front on financials. If you read the Grant Guide linked out on the website, we describe a payment system where 1/3 of the funds will be paid at project milestones.
Some of the other financials for reporting purposes, etc are still being determined as this is a pilot year for the grant program. We will share finalized details when grants are awarded. The follow-up reports would be results, photos, numbers, etc. and demonstrate how you made an impact with the funds. 

The next webinar is posted on the program website with the RSVP link: www.visitalbuquerque.org/tourismgrants
Date: April 3, 2023 
Time: 3:30 p.m.

Q&A from March 13, 2023 Tourism Grant Informational Workshop:

Q: Is there a timeframe (or deadline) for 1:1 matching funds to have been secured by applicants?

A: The Visit Albuquerque Tourism Grant Program Committee expects applicants to have secured 1:1 funding matches for projects when grant interviews begin on May 8, 2023. Please see the full timeline on the Tourism Grant Program homepage.
 
Q: Is it possible to view the Zoom recording of the March 13, 2023 Tourism Grant Informational Workshop?

A: Yes, please register here to view the March 13 Tourism Grant Informational Workshop. Passcode: +9i%0QQL
 
Q: Will applicants be interviewed or asked to provide project presentations?

A: If needed, the Visit Albuquerque Tourism Grant Program Committee will conduct applicant interviews and project presentations between May 8 - May 19, 2023. Please see the full timeline on the Tourism Grant Program homepage.
 
Q: Our business is between Santa Fe and Albuquerque and many of our customers are Albuquerque residents or visitors. Does part of this program include "day trips from Albuquerque?"

A: We are accepting applications from all over New Mexico. In your application, please explain how your business impacts Albuquerque visitors and how it builds new, creative visitor and resident experiences that can grow a more diverse and thriving tourism economy.
 
Q: Are there criteria for the Incubator Grant letters of support?  

A: Incubator Grant applications require two letters of support. Letters must be from entities or stakeholders that will benefit directly from the proposed project. We encourage thoughtful support letters that characterize the project’s value and positive impact on stakeholders.  
 
Q: What qualifies an applicant to be considered for an Incubator Grant?

A: For-profit businesses and nonprofit organizations may apply. Applicants must be located in New Mexico and registered as a federally recognized for-profit or nonprofit entity. Incubator Grants are designed for projects that may be in the developmental stage and/or as an entry point for applicants not prepared to meet the 1:1 funding match requirement or ask for a lot of funding.
 
Q: Are there character/word limits in the application?

A: There is a 250-word minimum for the application’s first project description question, however there are no character or word limits (maximum) in the project application. We encourage thoughtful project descriptions – the more detail, the better.   
 
Q: Does the form have to be filled out all at once?
A: Yes, the form does require applicants to submit all answers at once.
 
Q: Do applicants need to have matching funds for the total amount of grant funds requested?

A: Yes, a 1:1 match is required for Innovator Grant applicants. 1:1 Match Example: If $25,000 in grant funds is requested, applicants must have $25,000 cash available for the proposed project. Visit Albuquerque Tourism Grant Innovator applicants may apply for up to $50,000 for project implementation and in that case would need to show a $50,000 match.

There is not a 1:1 match required for Incubator Grant applicants. Applicants may apply for up to $10,000 for project implementation. Two letters of support are required and should be from entities or stakeholders that will benefit directly from the proposed project. 
 
Q: Can a project be our museum season? Or should we pick a specific event or program to seek funding for? Examples are: a specific festival, educational event, etc.

A: Overall the Tourism Grant Program purpose is to build new, creative visitor and resident experiences that grow a more diverse and thriving tourism economy. To that end, we encourage transformative, evergreen projects that drive attendance year-round and increase overnight visitors to Albuquerque. Projects such as festivals or events will be considered, however new, compelling events, etc. that will increase overnight visitors to Albuquerque will be given preference.
 
Q: Is project information kept confidential?

A: Yes, applicant and project information will be kept private both externally and internally. When grants are awarded and announced proprietary project details will not be shared. 
  
Q: How do businesses get listed in Visit Albuquerque’s Visitors Guide?

A: Becoming a partner of Visit Albuquerque is the first step. Visit Albuquerque would love to promote your business and our community. Here are a few of the many benefits that all Visit Albuquerque partners receive. Please email Mary Brown at Brown@VisitABQ.org for more information.