by Jessica Schroeder, USTA Outreach & Membership Enrichment Coordinator

Columbus, OH — The May 15 deadline is fast approaching for fairs and horsemen’s associations to apply for $10,000 in grant money, which is to be used for advertising and promoting county fair harness racing.

Applications for the Matching Funds Grant can either be printed and mailed from a PDF form or submitted electronically; both can be accessed at this link.

More than 65 entities have been awarded grant funds to promote the harness races at their county fair, with ideas ranging from billboard, newspaper and radio ads to farm open houses, local parade representation and mascot or bouncy pony acquisition.

Since 2006, the Matching Funds Grant program has helped individual fairs, horsemen’s associations and colt circuits to promote racing at the fair level. Each applicant can apply for up to $1,000 in assistance from the USTA; the applying entity has to contribute an equal amount to what they are applying for, either with cash or by receiving sponsorships or in kind donations.

For more information about the Matching Funds Grant program, contact Jessica Schroeder at 877.800.8782, ext. 3212 or e-mail jessica.schroeder@ustrotting.com.