Casper Area Impact (CAI) Grant Program

The Casper Area Impact (CAI) Grant Program, funded by Visit Casper and the City of Casper, is intended to support nonprofit organizations in Natrona County, Wyoming. These grants aim to generate a measurable economic impact through event production, with a focus on bringing visitors to the area and improving the quality of life for local residents. Visit Casper is the official destination marketing organization for Natrona County, promoting travel, tourism, and community vibrancy. The City of Casper’s partnership signifies municipal support for initiatives that stimulate local economies and enhance cultural or recreational offerings. Applicants to the CAI Grant Program can request support in three forms: direct cash funding, in-kind staffing and services, and in-kind facility rentals. There are no fixed minimum or maximum award amounts, although the average cash grant is $2,500. In-kind awards typically cover approximately 50% of City services or facility use. Grants are designed to support events occurring between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. Late, incomplete, or unsigned applications will not be accepted, and the deadline for submission is firmly set for noon on Friday, May 15, 2026. Submissions are accepted via in-person delivery, email, or regular mail addressed to Visit Casper, with attention to Terri Weinhandl. The application and evaluation process is detailed and merit-based. Proposals will be scored against five primary criteria: generation of overnight room stays (“room nights”), event timing relative to the area's seasonal needs (priority given to September through May), projected economic and social impact, potential for event growth and retention, and miscellaneous qualitative factors including event history and presentation quality. Applications for events that have already occurred before the committee’s review are ineligible. The committee will review all proposals and issue funding decisions in the first week of June 2026. Selected applicants may be asked to provide additional information during the review process. Funding must be used on eligible expenses, which include a wide range of advertising and event-related costs such as digital marketing, travel trade show participation, venue rentals, and speaker fees. However, certain expenses are explicitly excluded, such as alcohol, capital projects, postage, and salaries. All funded events must include proper recognition of both Visit Casper and the City of Casper through various media placements and materials, with logos and website links required on promotional content. The funders will provide these branding materials upon request. A strong emphasis is placed on accountability and reporting. Within 60 days of the supported event’s conclusion, grantees must submit a complete Project Report and Evaluation Form and a Hotel Tracking Form. These must be accompanied by all relevant marketing materials, documentation of logo usage, invoices, and proof of payment. Funds are generally disbursed after review of these reports; in exceptional cases, pre-event disbursement may be approved upon a written agreement. Failure to submit required reports on time will result in forfeiture of funds and potential disqualification from future funding rounds. The application form requires detailed information about the applicant organization, the proposed event, audience demographics, hotel accommodations, and marketing strategies. Applicants must also provide financial documentation, including organizational budgets and (for returning events) event budget history from the past three years. A checklist ensures that applicants include all required documents, and applicants have the option to submit online or via a downloadable PDF application. The grant encourages events with diverse cultural, athletic, or business objectives that align with community engagement and tourism goals.