by Jessica Schroeder, USTA Outreach & Membership Enrichment Coordinator

Columbus, OH — The 2016 USTA Matching Funds Grant applications are now available.

Visit the Matching Funds Grant section of the fair website for the both the online submission form and PDF application. All applications mailed in to the USTA must be postmarked on or before April 29, while all online submissions must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. (EST) on April 29.

Two examples of filled out applications are also available at that section of the website; applicable expenses are radio, newspaper, billboard and bus advertising and so much more. If you are looking for promotional ideas for your fair, you can also check out the Racing Promotion Idea Center.

The Matching Funds Grant program was started in 2006 to aid county fairs and horsemen’s associations to support a grassroots marketing initiative at the fair level.

All fairs receiving Matching Funds are eligible for the 2017 USTA Blue Ribbon Fair Award. The fair with the most creative and innovative use of Matching Funds — as determined by the Blue Ribbon Fair panel consisting of USTA staffers — will be honored with a feature story in Hoof Beats and an award presentation at their 2017 fair meet.