Promote tourism, meetings, events and economic development for Erie County and the Lake Erie Shores & Islands region, supporting local attractions, businesses and community destination projects.
A $350,000 event grant to the Greater Sandusky Partnership stands out in the bureau’s recent giving and shows how closely its funding is tied to tourism activity that can draw visitors into Erie County. Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau backs projects that support tourism promotion, meetings and conventions, sports events, destination development, and local events and festivals across the Lake Erie Shores & Islands region. The recent grant list also shows repeat support for Sandusky State Theatre Inc, with awards in 2024 and 2025 for rebuild work, and for the Erie County Chamber of Commerce, with grants in 2023 and 2024 for marketing. Beyond event and marketing support, the bureau funds destination-building projects that affect the visitor experience, including infrastructure, renovation, and site improvements for community attractions and tourism businesses. Its recent recipients include municipal entities, chambers, theaters, and private operators, reflecting a place-based approach centered on assets that can generate overnight stays, media exposure, and economic impact. The bureau’s grantmaking is local in scope, with nearly all grants flowing to Ohio recipients.
Tourism and event support is a core theme. In 2025, the bureau gave $58,200 to Cleveland Mural Co LLC for an event, and it also funded conference and sporting-event support through its active grant programs. Destination development is another major lane: the bureau awarded $55,000 to the Erie County Agricultural Society for upgrade bleachers and $50,000 to the Village of Kelleys Island for a playground area, both tied to visitor-serving improvements. It also backs business-facing tourism assets, such as $50,000 to Paradise Pier LLC for a glamping site and $34,570 to The Chefs Garden Inc for a tourism product. Community event sponsorship appears alongside those infrastructure grants, showing a mix of one-time event support and capital-style project funding.
Typical grants cluster in the five-figure range, with a p25 of $9,480, a median of $15,650, and a p75 of $22,106. The bureau’s recent awards also include several larger project grants, but the center of gravity is still around smaller destination and event awards. The pattern is not a one-off effort: multiple grantees appear across more than one year, including Sandusky State Theatre Inc and Erie County Chamber of Commerce. The organization uses competitive and unsolicited grant programs, and several active programs are structured as sponsorship, reimbursement, or destination development grants. The bureau does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$593K
$1.1M
$4.3M
$4.8M
Most grants fall between $9K and $22K, with a median of $16K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$16K
75th Percentile
$22K
LARRY FLETCHER
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Grantmaking is overwhelmingly concentrated in Ohio, with 96% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Recent awards are clustered in Sandusky, with additional grants in Huron, Kelleys Island, Milan, Vermilion, Berlin Heights, and Columbus. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 78 grants in the United States. The geography matches a local tourism model: most awards support places within the Lake Erie Shores & Islands area and nearby counties that serve visitors, events, and community attractions.
Its active programs support destination development, event sponsorship, conferences, meetings, and sporting events. Recent grants also point to capital and operating-style support for tourism assets, including a glamping site, bleachers, a playground area, a theatre rebuild, and tourism product development.
Yes. Several active grant programs are marked as accepting unsolicited requests, including Destination Development Grants, Local Event Sponsorships, Event Sponsorships / Local Event Support, Conference & Event Grant, Event & Conference Support Grants, Sponsorship Grant, and Conference & Event Grants.
Typical awards are modest. The grant size distribution shows a p25 of $9,480, a median of $15,650, and a p75 of $22,106, which places most grants in the low five-figure range.
The bureau gives primarily in Ohio, and 96% of its grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent recipients are concentrated in Sandusky and nearby Lake Erie Shores & Islands communities such as Huron, Kelleys Island, Milan, Vermilion, and Berlin Heights.
Yes. The recent grant list includes repeat support for Sandusky State Theatre Inc in 2024 and 2025, and for Erie County Chamber of Commerce in 2023 and 2024. That suggests ongoing relationships with some local tourism and community organizations.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Local events in the region that align with tourism promotion objectives. Exact eligibility and application details not provided in scraped content.
Who can apply: Events must take place in Erie and/or Ottawa County, Ohio. Organizations receiving funds through other Shores & Islands Ohio funding streams are not eligible. An organization may apply for no more than two events per calendar year. Events should attract visitors from outside the region and generate overnight stays or other measurable destination benefits.
Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round and must be completed and returned at least 90 days before the conference or event start date.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BURNHAM ORCHARDS INC | BERLIN HEIGHTS, OH | $44,700 | 2026 | DESTINATION DEVELOP. |
| VERMILION FUN INC | VERMILION, OH | $43,550 | 2026 | DESTINATION DEVELOP |
| GMA ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP LLC | SANDUSKY, OH | $41,450 | 2026 | DESTINATION DEVELOP |
| KOROBKIN HOSPITALITY GROUP | SANDUSKY, OH | $39,850 | 2026 | DESTINATION DEVELOP |
| SANDUSKY AREA MARITIME ASSOCIATION | SANDUSKY, OH | $39,300 | 2026 | DESTINATION DEVELOP |
| DRIFTWOOD FARM LLC | VICKERY, OH | $39,229 | 2026 | DESTINATION DEVELOP |
| PAPER MOON VINEYARDS LLC | VERMILION, OH | $37,091 | 2026 | DESTINATION DEVELOP |
| GROOVE BAR AND GRILL LLC | BAY VILLAGE, OH | $36,950 | 2026 | DESTINATION DEVELOP |
| TALLTOWN INVESTMENTS LLC | SANDUSKY, OH | $36,900 | 2026 | DESTINATION DEVELOP |
| 3B'S FOODS LLC | VERMILION, OH | $36,700 | 2026 | DESTINATION DEVELOP |
| MHD CORP | SANDUSKY, OH | $27,915 | 2026 | DESTINATION DEVELOP |
| SANDUSKY SCOOPS LLC | SANDUSKY, OH | $18,250 | 2026 | DESTINATION DEVELOP |
| MLFLW LLC | DENVER, CO | $15,000 | 2026 | FISHING TOURNAMENT |
| OHIO ATHLETIC COMMITTEE | SANDUSKY, OH | $15,000 | 2026 | YOUTH FOOTBALL |
| ALANAS LLC | COLUMBUS, OH | $10,860 | 2026 | DESTINATION DEVELOP |
| SANDUSKY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE | FREMONT, OH | $10,438 | 2026 | 2025 IRONMAN |
| STRONGMAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LLC | COLUMBUS, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | SPONSORSHIP |
| SUR MARKET & SUNDRIES LLC | VERMILION, OH | $8,310 | 2026 | DESTINATION DEVELOP |
| MERRY GO ROUND MUSEUM | SANDUSKY, OH | $7,908 | 2026 | DESTINATION DEVELOP |
| SWEET CHEEKZ CAFE N BISTRO | SANDUSKY, OH | $7,750 | 2026 | DESTINATION DEVELOP |
| ISABELLA'S LAKE GETAWAYS LLC | KELLEYS ISLAND, OH | $7,535 | 2026 | DESTINATION DEVELOPM |
| HARBOURTOWN FINE ARTS CENTER | VERMILION, OH | $7,534 | 2026 | PROJECT |
| NORTH CENTRAL EMS | NORWALK, OH | $7,483 | 2026 | 2025 IRONMAN |
| SANDUSKY CP MUSEUM INC | SANDUSKY, OH | $7,370 | 2026 | DESTINATION DEVELOP |
| BAIT HOUSE BREWERY LLC | SANDUSKY, OH | $6,597 | 2026 | DESTINATION DEVELOP |
| ERIE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE | SANDUSKY, OH | $6,078 | 2026 | 2025 IRONMAN |
| LAKE ERIE SHORES AND ISLANDS | SANDUSKY, OH | $6,000 | 2026 | DESTINATION DEVELOP |
| VERMILION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | VERMILION, OH | $6,000 | 2026 | SPONSORSHIP |
| MAIN STREET VERMILION INC | VERMILION, OH | $6,000 | 2026 | LOGO DISPLAY |
| EDISON BIRTHPLACE ASSOICATION | MILAN, OH | $5,275 | 2026 | REMODELING |
| GREATER SANDUSKY PARTNERSHIP | SANDUSKY, OH | $350,000 | 2025 | EVENT |
| STRATEGIC WEAPONS AND TACTICAL TRAI | SANDUSKY, OH | $300,000 | 2025 | CONSTRUCTION |
| SANDUSKY STATE THEATRE INC | SANDUSKY, OH | $150,000 | 2025 | REBUILD |
| CLEVELAND MURAL CO LLC | CLEVELAND, OH | $58,200 | 2025 | EVENT |
| ERIE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY | SANDUSKY, OH | $55,000 | 2025 | UPGRADE BLEACHERS |
| WORK SPACE LLC | SANDUSKY, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | RENOVATION |
| VILLAGE OF KELLEYS ISLAND | KELLEYS ISLAND, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | PLAYGROUND AREA |
| BREJE LLC | VERMILION, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | PROJECT |
| PARADISE PIER LLC | SANDUSKY, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | GLAMPING SITE |
| EDISON BIRTHPLACE ASSOICATION | MILAN, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | REMODELING |
| THE CHEFS GARDEN INC | HURON, OH | $34,570 | 2025 | TOURISM PRODUCT |
| TWE OF VERMILION LLC | VERMILION, OH | $26,205 | 2025 | IMPROVEMENTS |
| ANCHOR BAY LLC | SANDUSKY, OH | $22,500 | 2025 | OUTDOOR PAVILION |
| KELLEY'S ISLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | KELLEYS ISLAND, OH | $19,780 | 2025 | SPONSORSHIP |
| SANDUSKY BOOK BAR LLC | SANDUSKY, OH | $19,500 | 2025 | EXPANSION |
| 414 WAYNE LLC | SANDUSKY, OH | $16,780 | 2025 | OUTDOOR UPGRADES |
| HOTY MARINA GROUP LLC | SANDUSKY, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | DEVELOPMENT |
| CASTALLA FARMS LLC | CASTALIA, OH | $12,533 | 2025 | REJUVENATION |
| SHOWTIME EVENTS LLC | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAMING |
| SANDUSKY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE | FREMONT, OH | $7,242 | 2025 | 2024 IRONMAN |
BURNHAM ORCHARDS INC
$44,700DESTINATION DEVELOP.
VERMILION FUN INC
$43,550DESTINATION DEVELOP
GMA ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP LLC
$41,450DESTINATION DEVELOP
KOROBKIN HOSPITALITY GROUP
$39,850DESTINATION DEVELOP
SANDUSKY AREA MARITIME ASSOCIATION
$39,300DESTINATION DEVELOP
DRIFTWOOD FARM LLC
$39,229DESTINATION DEVELOP
PAPER MOON VINEYARDS LLC
$37,091DESTINATION DEVELOP
GROOVE BAR AND GRILL LLC
$36,950DESTINATION DEVELOP
TALLTOWN INVESTMENTS LLC
$36,900DESTINATION DEVELOP
3B'S FOODS LLC
$36,700DESTINATION DEVELOP
MHD CORP
$27,915DESTINATION DEVELOP
SANDUSKY SCOOPS LLC
$18,250DESTINATION DEVELOP
MLFLW LLC
$15,000FISHING TOURNAMENT
OHIO ATHLETIC COMMITTEE
$15,000YOUTH FOOTBALL
ALANAS LLC
$10,860DESTINATION DEVELOP
SANDUSKY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
$10,4382025 IRONMAN
STRONGMAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LLC
$10,000SPONSORSHIP
SUR MARKET & SUNDRIES LLC
$8,310DESTINATION DEVELOP
MERRY GO ROUND MUSEUM
$7,908DESTINATION DEVELOP
SWEET CHEEKZ CAFE N BISTRO
$7,750DESTINATION DEVELOP
ISABELLA'S LAKE GETAWAYS LLC
$7,535DESTINATION DEVELOPM
HARBOURTOWN FINE ARTS CENTER
$7,534PROJECT
NORTH CENTRAL EMS
$7,4832025 IRONMAN
SANDUSKY CP MUSEUM INC
$7,370DESTINATION DEVELOP
BAIT HOUSE BREWERY LLC
$6,597DESTINATION DEVELOP
ERIE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
$6,0782025 IRONMAN
LAKE ERIE SHORES AND ISLANDS
$6,000DESTINATION DEVELOP
VERMILION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$6,000SPONSORSHIP
MAIN STREET VERMILION INC
$6,000LOGO DISPLAY
EDISON BIRTHPLACE ASSOICATION
$5,275REMODELING
GREATER SANDUSKY PARTNERSHIP
$350,000EVENT
STRATEGIC WEAPONS AND TACTICAL TRAI
$300,000CONSTRUCTION
SANDUSKY STATE THEATRE INC
$150,000REBUILD
CLEVELAND MURAL CO LLC
$58,200EVENT
ERIE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
$55,000UPGRADE BLEACHERS
WORK SPACE LLC
$50,000RENOVATION
VILLAGE OF KELLEYS ISLAND
$50,000PLAYGROUND AREA
BREJE LLC
$50,000PROJECT
PARADISE PIER LLC
$50,000GLAMPING SITE
EDISON BIRTHPLACE ASSOICATION
$50,000REMODELING
THE CHEFS GARDEN INC
$34,570TOURISM PRODUCT
TWE OF VERMILION LLC
$26,205IMPROVEMENTS
ANCHOR BAY LLC
$22,500OUTDOOR PAVILION
KELLEY'S ISLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$19,780SPONSORSHIP
SANDUSKY BOOK BAR LLC
$19,500EXPANSION
414 WAYNE LLC
$16,780OUTDOOR UPGRADES
HOTY MARINA GROUP LLC
$15,000DEVELOPMENT
CASTALLA FARMS LLC
$12,533REJUVENATION
SHOWTIME EVENTS LLC
$10,000PROGRAMING
SANDUSKY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
$7,2422024 IRONMAN
