Richland County’s Accommodations Tax, Hospitality Tax and Discretionary Grant Programs Accepting Applications

COLUMBIA, SC – The Richland County funding cycle is underway for Accommodations Tax, Hospitality Tax County Promotions and Discretionary Grant programs. These grants are for projects and programs that occur between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016.

Nonprofit organizations with activities in Richland County may access applications and guidelines to apply for these funding programs on the Richland County website by clicking here or visiting www.richlandonline.com/Government/Departments/Grants.aspx.

• Accommodations Tax Grants provide financial support to fund tourism and tourism-related projects that occur in Richland County.  These events should promote overnight accommodations in unincorporated areas of Richland County. Applications are due before 5 p.m. Monday, March 2.  A grant writing workshop will be held 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 2020 Hampton St. in Council Chambers, 2nd Floor.
• Hospitality Tax County Promotions Grants provide financial support to organizations and projects whose primary mission is to attract tourists by promoting dining in unincorporated areas of Richland County. Please read all guidelines carefully as this program and grant criteria have changed.  Applications are due before 5 p.m. on Monday, March 2.  A grant writing workshop will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 2020 Hampton St. in Council Chambers, 2nd Floor.
• Discretionary Grants provide financial support to nonprofit or charitable organizations within Richland County for programs and projects for underserved citizens.  Applications are due before 5 p.m. Monday, March 2.  Please read all guidelines carefully.  If your organization received a Discretionary Grant in FY15 (July 1, 2014–June 30, 2015), you are not eligible to apply for funding for FY16. Discretionary Grant recipients must wait one fiscal year before applying for new funding.  A grant writing workshop for this program will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5 at 2020 Hampton St. in Council Chambers, 2nd Floor.

For each program, Richland County offers grant workshops where attendees will learn the funding priorities and application requirements for Accommodations Tax, Hospitality Tax and Discretionary grants. These grant workshops are not mandatory but are recommended as they cover program changes and revised application forms for FY16.

For more information, contact Richland County Grants Manager Sara Salley at 803-576-2069 or [email protected].