Casper Area Impact Grant

Funded by Visit Casper and the City of Casper, the Casper Area Impact (CAI) grant program is designed to assist Natrona County non-profit organizations with producing events and projects that drive economic impact, bring people to the community, and improve quality of life for Natrona County residents.

It is the intent that all funds and/or support received through the CAI grant program provide a direct economic impact to Natrona County, as opposed to fundraising events which provide a more indirect benefit. Therefore, the CAI grant committee will show preference to non-fundraising events. Furthermore, organizations that show the greatest impact and need will be given greater consideration. Request for funding will be divided into three categories: cash, in-kind staffing and services and facility rentals.

There is no minimum or maximum amount that can be requested, however the average cash award with this program is $2500; the average in-kind of City services or facilities is 50%.

Example: if your event loses money or breaks even, typically you will qualify for greater in-kind services from the City of Casper. If your event is profitable, the maximum amount you can receive in in-kind is 50%. You may not use funds from the CAI Grant Program to pay for the other 50% of the in-kind expense from the City.

Grants are only available to non-profit organizations in Natrona County. Funds and services awarded are to support events that occur July 1st, 2025, through June 30th, 2026.

Please submit your applications before the deadline either in person or through regular mail to Visit Casper – CAI Program, 139 W. 2nd Street, Suite 1B, Casper, WY 82601. All applications are due May 12th by NOON. Funding is limited, and late applications will not be accepted.

GRANT DECISIONS & FUNDING CRITERIA

All funding requests will be reviewed, analyzed, and scored against 5 major criteria:

• Room Nights: The event generates overnight stays in Natrona County lodging facilities. The more room nights generated, the higher the score.

• Seasonality: The event generates overnight stays during shoulder and off-peak season. (Generally, between October and February)

• Impact: The event has the high potential of not only offering a positive return on investment, but it also generates commercial, economic, and social benefits that will be realized by the community.

• Retention: Points may be awarded to retain and grow the event

• Miscellaneous: Points may be awarded at the discretion of the Grant Review Committee for criteria such as idea presentation, event history, reporting history, number of funding partners, program sustainability, number of years funding has been requested, etc.

Events held prior to the committee’s review of the corresponding grant application are not eligible for grant funds. The amount of an approved grant may be modified at the committee’s discretion. The grant committee will review applications and send notice of awards the first week of June. Applicants will be asked to address the grants committee during the review process. All deadlines are the applicant’s responsibility to remember.

ELIGIBLE/IN-ELIGIBLE EXPENSES

Eligible advertising mediums include brochures, posters and promotional fliers, billboards, magazine/newspaper advertising, radio/TV advertising, travel trade shows (booth fees, registration fees and materials production), websites and email/digital marketing.

Eligible event expenses include event invitations/stationary, registration forms, entertainment, speakers/presenters, rental equipment, space/venue rental, programs, brochures, posters, and refreshments.

Exceptions: Grant funds may NOT be used for postage/phone, event programs for on-site use only or sold for profit, alcoholic beverages, in-kind contributions and/or sponsorships, capital projects or purchases, salaries, or anything contrary to Federal or State law or local ordinance.

REQUIRED VISIT CASPER AND CITY OF CASPER RECOGNITION

The committee will require recognition for its financial participation as follows:

• Audible identification as Visit Casper and the City of Casper on all radio advertising.

• Logo and/or audible identification as Visit Casper and the City of Casper on all TV advertising.

• The Visit Casper and City of Casper logo and website address on all printed materials including print media, brochures, posters, flyers, registration forms, magazine/newspaper advertising, etc.

• Link to www.VisitCasper.com and www.CasperWY.gov on website.

• Listing on credits for audio-visual presentations.

• Visit Casper and City of Casper logo on billboards.

• Visit Casper and City of Casper banner at event site.

• Advertising in event program relative to investment.

• Logo and website address on t-shirts if sponsors are recognized this way.

• Recognition in digital and other online marketing as available.

Visit Casper and the City of Casper will provide applicants with the appropriate materials for recognition upon request.

Note: If your organization receives support, your organization must be willing to share a participant list (database) prior to the event for audience profiling/targeting. This information will be kept confidential and will only be used in re-targeting to grow event participation and awareness.

REPORTING

Within 60 days of completion of the project/event, the applicant will submit to the satisfaction of the committee:

• A completed Project Report & Evaluation Form (included with written approval notification)

• A completed Hotel Tracking Form (included with the application)

• Copies of all advertising utilizing the Visit Casper and City of Casper logo and website address

• Copies/photos of recognition given Visit Casper and the City of Casper (i.e., website link, banner, reader board, brochures, online marketing, etc.)

• Invoices and proof of payment for all grant fund expenditures

• Other materials produced with the cooperation of committee funds will be disbursed upon completion of the project and receipt of the Project Report & Evaluation Form and the Hotel Tracking Form.

In unique instances and at its discretion, the committee may disburse approved funds prior to the event/project upon written agreement to provide follow-up reporting requirements.

The committee will consider the CAI grant application null and void if the applicant does not submit the Project Report & Evaluation Form and Hotel Tracking Form to Visit Casper within the reporting timeframe. There is no grace period for the final report and the committee does not send reminders.