Transient Guest Tax Grant Program

The 2024 Transient Guest Tax (TGT) Grant application period will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, and run through Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023

To receive notifications about the Transient Guest Tax Grant Program, subscribe to the Transient Guest Tax Advisory Board E-News list here.

As part of the 2024 budget, the City Commission approved a $150,000 grant program to encourage, promote and strengthen events and programs that benefit and create Lawrence’s unmistakable indentity for the community and/or enhance our visitor’s experience while visiting Lawrence. This program is overseen by the Transient Guest Tax Program Advisory Board.

2024 TGT Grant Guidelines – printable version (PDF)

GOALS

The Transient Guest Tax Grant Program will provide funding for specific events which meet the following goals:

  • Demonstrate a measurable economic benefit including enhancing the cultural economy or travel/tourism economy, create additional transient guest tax and sales tax; and
  • Enhance Lawrence’s unmistakable identity and reputation for tourist activities, demonstrating pull of regional visitors.

PROCESS

To be considered, the online grant application must be completed.  The grant program will have one funding cycle each calendar year (for events occurring Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, to Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2024).  This program is administered through the City of Lawrence’s Parks and Recreation Department, Arts and Culture Division with an Advisory Board that will make recommendations to the City Commission for final approval.

2024 TGT Grant Orientation Presentation

TIMELINE for the 2024 Grant Application Process

  • Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, through Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 – Application period open for grants for FY2024
  • 3-4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, and 2-3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, – Informational meetings for potential grant applicants – Parks and Recreation Administrative Office, 1141 Massachusetts St., and Zoom.
  • 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30 – Advisory Board meeting to hear applicant 3-minute presentations – City Commission Room at City Hall and Zoom. A presentation schedule and zoom link will be emailed to applicants prior to the meeting.
  • IF NEEDED 1-3:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 – Advisory Board meeting to hear applicant 3-minute presentations – City Commission Room at City Hall and Zoom. A presentation schedule and zoom link will be emailed to applicants prior to the meeting.
    • Sign up for Zoom meeting here for Nov. 30: https://bit.ly/3RYz7Ow
    • Sign up for Zoom meeting here for Dec. 1: Will be provided if needed.
  • 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5 – TGT Grant Advisory Board members submit their individual scores directly to Roger Steinbrock
  • 1-3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, Advisory Board meeting (review scoring matrix and make recommendations) – Parks and Recreation Administration office in South Park and Zoom.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023 – City Commission reviews TGT Grant Advisory Board funding recommendations for approval at City Commission meeting

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please contact Roger Steinbrock, communications and events manager, (785) 832-3458, rsteinbrock@lawrenceks.org

The Transient Guest Tax Program application closed at midnight November 18, 2023.