The PLACES Initiative: Powering Local Authentic Community Experiences & Spaces

The anticipated annual grants cycle timeline is:

• Program launch and marketing -- August 3, 2026
• Application deadline -- October 9, 2026
• Committee review -- October 26, 2026
• Board approval -- November 5, 2026
• Award announcements -- November 19, 2026
• Agreements signed and awards distributed -- October to November, prior to end of current Fiscal Year

Visit Hendricks County reserves the right to adjust timelines as needed. 

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, municipalities and government entities, tourism-related businesses or attractions, community organizations, economic and community development organizations, arts and cultural organizations, event organizers, and other organizations or partnerships aligned with destination development priorities.  Partnership and collaborative applications are encouraged. The project area must be physically located in Hendricks County.

Examples of eligible projects may include but are not limited to: 

• Experience development initiatives
• Activation of underutilized spaces
• Pilot or innovative tourism-related experiences
• Festivals, events, and event expansion
• Public art and placemaking initiatives
• Destination-focused beautification projects
• Visitor-facing accessibility improvements
• Wayfinding and connectivity enhancements
• Cultural programming and installations
• Tourism-supportive recreation amenities
• Agritourism and rural tourism initiatives
• Projects that improve resident and visitor engagement

Projects may vary significantly in size, scope, and structure. This list is not intended to be exhaustive. 

The following are generally not eligible for funding: 

• Ongoing operational expenses unrelated to the proposed project
• Debt reduction or refinancing
• General fundraising campaigns or activities
• Political activities
• Projects occurring outside Hendricks County
• Requests submitted after project completion
• Religious programming primarily intended for worship activities
• Projects inconsistent with the goals of the Visit Hendricks County Strategic Plan. 
• Requests to support travel, lodging, or participation in activities, tournaments, conferences, or competitions outside of Hendricks County

Visit Hendricks County reserves the right to determine eligibility. 

Projects should align with one or more of the following destination development priorities:

• Event development and enhancement
• Arts and culture
• Accessibility and inclusivity
• Outdoor activities and amenities
• Connectivity and wayfinding
• Placemaking and quality-of-place improvements

Projects that support multiple priorities or demonstrate broad community and visitor impact may receive stronger consideration.

Funding amounts may vary depending on project scope, impact, readiness, leverage, and strategic alignment. Requests up to $5,000 do not require a match. Requests from $5,000 to $10,000 require a 1:1 match, which may consist of a combination of cash and eligible in-kind contributions. Requests over $10,000 require a minimum 1:1 cash match. 

Visit Hendricks County reserves the right to adjust match expectations, payment structures, reimbursement schedules, or funding timelines based on the needs and characteristics of each project.

Visit Hendricks County is partnering with the Parks Foundation of Hendricks County to support parks, trails, and outdoor recreation-related grant opportunities. Through this partnership, Visit Hendricks County will allocate annual funding to support grantmaking and related initiatives administered by the Parks Foundation of Hendricks County. Generally, public parks and trails-focused applicants seeking financial support will be directed to the Parks Foundation-administered process rather than the standard Visit Hendricks County annual grants cycle.

This partnership is intended to support and strengthen the work already led by the Parks Foundation, while avoiding duplication of effort and maintaining a coordinated approach to destination development and quality-of-place investments across Hendricks County.

Grant recipients will be expected to provide: 

• A progress report, if requested
• A brief final narrative report
• Project photos or materials as requested
• Acknowledgment of Visit Hendricks County support
• Collaboration with Visit Hendricks County marketing and promotional efforts, where appropriate

Specific reporting and recognition requirements will be communicated as part of the award process. Failure to meet reporting or recognition requirements will negatively affect future funding eligibility.