The Wisconsin Department of Tourism is accepting applications for the Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) Grant Program, Destination Marketing focus area. This program offers cash and guidance to make a promotion or event come to fruition. The grant reimburses Wisconsin non-profit organizations for qualified advertising costs.

Destination Marketing projects must create a partnership of at least 3 municipalities that work together to advertise your area during a shoulder season. Applications for this project category should define your area’s point of difference, show partnerships with businesses and create marketing strategies to promote your brand. The development option for first year destination marketing projects supports professional marketing research. Providing baseline visitor spending dollars and a plan for tracking increases in tourism is an important part of the project.

The JEM grant cannot be more than 50% of the total project budget, which is the sum of both the promotional and operational budgets. The maximum eligible award is up to $10,000 per participating municipality, up to a total of $39,550.

New Events, Existing Events, Sales Promotions and One Time/One-of-a-Kind Events applications are due by midnight on February 1, April 1, August 1 and November 1 each year.

Destination Marketing applications are due by midnight on April 1 and September 1 each year. 

Applications must also be submitted at least 90 days prior to the first day of advertising that will be paid using the grant funds; for example, if your first JEM funded ad runs on November 1, your application should be submitted by August 1.

Grant information was last reviewed by our staff on 9/6/2023