Joint Effort Marketing Grant Program
Joint Effort Marketing Grant Program supports Wisconsin nonprofits promoting events, visitor incentives, and destinations to attract travelers from beyond their communities and increase local spending.
Funder: Wisconsin Department of Tourism
Due Dates: November 1, 2026 (Events and Sales Promotion) | February 1, 2027 (Events and Sales Promotion) | April 1, 2027 (All categories) | August 1, 2027 (Events and Sales Promotion) | September 1, 2027 (Destination Marketing)
Funding Amounts: Up to $39,550 per year for most categories; up to $28,250 for one-time events; one to three years, depending on category
Summary: Reimburses Wisconsin nonprofits for promotions, events, incentives, and destination marketing that attract visitors and increase local spending.
Key Information: Apply at least 90 days before the first expenditure using grant funds.
Description
The Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) program helps nonprofit Wisconsin organizations promote tourism in their areas. Its event grants support the launch of recurring events, expanded promotion of existing events, and publicity for significant one-time events. A sales promotion grant supports limited-time incentives intended to persuade visitors to travel to an area.
Destination Marketing grants support partnerships across communities. Development projects use research to define a destination’s brand and marketing strategy; marketing projects put that work into practice to increase visitor spending, particularly during the off-season. Projects must demonstrate increased visitation and positive local economic impact. Promotional plans must reach beyond the local area and align with Travel Wisconsin’s statewide marketing plan.
