Central to the work of the Steuben County CVB is an effort to ensure that every visitor has an enjoyable experience. While Steuben County is a naturally welcoming community, Steuben County CVB’s primary reason for ensuring visitors enjoy their experience in Steuben County is because it benefits our residents. When people visit Steuben County, they spend money here, creating jobs for our families, generating incremental tax dollars, providing us economic opportunities, and supporting the amenities that enhance the quality of life for those of us lucky enough to call Steuben County our home. We use tourism in a sustainable and responsible manner to build a better life for the residents of Steuben County. The Steuben County Destination Development Grant Program is a natural evolution of the Steuben County CVB’s work to provide a platform to foster future growth, sustainability, and development of Steuben County’s visitor economy.

The Steuben County Conference & Visitors Bureau (SCCVB) as the designated tourism promotion agency for Steuben County NY, will administer all Steuben County Destination Development Grant Applications in collaboration with the Steuben County AIP Committee and Steuben County Legislature. The total available funds for the Destination Development Grant program will be based on the occupancy tax collections of the year prior. Applicants must be a 501c non-profit organization to apply.

Application Process (opens October 20th through December 12th)

2026 Funds Available - $100,000 (to be determined by Steuben County AIP Committee based off share rental occupancy tax collections) All applications will be reviewed and selected for funding through the following process.

1. Applications are reviewed and scored by a 5-member grants committee consisting of representatives from the Steuben County AIP Committee, the SCCVB Board of Directors, and the SCCVB President.

2. Recommended applications are submitted to the Steuben County AIP Committee for review and vote.

3. Final awards are determined by the Steuben County AIP Committee.

Application Eligibility Requirements The priorities of the Steuben County Destination Development Grant Program are directly tied to the goals of the Steuben County Destination Management Plan (DMP). Projects must:

• Enhance the visitor experience in ways that also improve quality of life for residents.

• Foster creative, inclusive, and sustainable ideas that have a meaningful impact.

• Support tourism promotion directly and expand Steuben County’s visibility as a destination.

• Demonstrate regional impact by crossing municipal boundaries or benefiting multiple communities.

• Encourage collaboration among organizations, municipalities, and private partners.

• Leverage additional resources (financial, in-kind, or volunteer).

• Support long-term strategic priorities outlined in the DMP, including:

- Placemaking and beautification

- Year-round tourism development, including off-season initiatives

- Outdoor recreation and water-based tourism infrastructure

- Accessibility and inclusion for all visitors

- Mobility and wayfinding that improve connectivity

- Arts, culture, and heritage programming

- Development of new or enhanced tourism experiences

The more of these priorities addressed, the higher an application will score in the reviewing process.

Funding:

Grant awards will vary, ranging from just a few thousand dollars to potentially up to $50,000 dependent on the funds available. We anticipate that the average grant awarded will be $25,000 but more modest requests are welcome and encouraged. Qualified applicants need to be a 501c non-profit organization operating in Steuben County and must show proof of their non-profit status with their application.

* All applicants are required to show a 50% cash or in-kind match for consideration of a grant award. Some exceptional circumstances will be considered at the discretion of the Steuben County AIP Committee.

The grants committee strongly encourages applicants to reach out for an informal assessment of their idea/concept prior to submission of a formal application.

Project Categories

• Placemaking & Beautification (public spaces, downtown enhancements)

• Visitor Services & Hospitality (amenities, welcome resources)

• Wayfinding & Connectivity (signage, digital tools, mobility solutions)

• Outdoor Recreation & Water-based Tourism (trails, access, supporting infrastructure)

• Accessibility & Inclusion (ADA compliance, multilingual or multi-sensory experiences)

• Tourism Experiences (programming, interpretive or cultural projects aligned with the DMP)

Accountability

Award recipients are required to demonstrate responsible use of grant funds and measurable impact. A closing report must be submitted to the SCCVB upon project completion, which includes:

• Proof of project completion (narrative summary and supporting photos)

• Copies of paid invoices or receipts verifying eligible expenses

• Documentation of project impact, such as visitor engagement, collaboration achieved, matching resources provided, or alignment with Destination Management Plan priorities

Closing reports will be reviewed by SCCVB and compiled for submission to the AIP Committee.

Funds will be released only after the award acceptance letter is signed and submitted by the applicant. Projects must be completed as described in the approved application, and submission of a satisfactory closing report is required in order to retain awarded funds.

Click below to access the Grant Application.