Hardy Advertising & Promotion Commission Funding Guidelines and Application

The Hardy Advertising and Promotion Commission (HAPC) invites applications to meet advertising and promotion and marketing costs for events and promotional initiatives from its Event Support Funds for activities that will draw visitors to our town. 

Awards typically fall in the $1,000-$2,500 range and all awards are subject to the availability of funds. Our goal is to help events to grow and assistance may not be ongoing.

Guidelines

  1. Funding requests should support efforts to attract visitors from outside of the immediate region with a preference for those which are likely to generate overnight stays.
  2. Other desirable characteristics in an event or initiative include:.
      • Event is held in slower tourism months. (November-March)
      • Event showcases live music, arts, history or culture.
      • Applicant can show multiple funding sources other than the HAPC.
  3. The HAPC does not fund events or projects by chain businesses.
  4. The purpose of the HAPC is to promote the City of Hardy. It is important for the applicant to provide insight to the proposed event or initiative’s economic impact on the City of Hardy. 
  5. In line with state tourism funding guidelines, preference is given to funding electronic/social media promotion.
  6. All applicants must have a web site or dedicated social media presence at the time of application.
  7. The HAPC does not provide general operating support from its Event Support Funds.
  8. It is the sole responsibility of the requesting organization to properly plan their event or project and manage their funds in a manner that demonstrates both fiscal accountability and management responsibility. The HAPC will not bail out events that incur losses.
  9. Funded organizations must agree in writing to indemnify the Hardy Advertising & Promotion Commission and its members from any liability associated with the organization or event.
  10. The applicant must acknowledge understanding that any support from the HAPC is subject to the freedom of information laws as stated in The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.
  11. Funding may not be used to promote religious proselytizing or  political issues or candidates.
  12. No funding decision shall be deemed to set a precedent.
  13. Promotion of events on Visit Hardy Arkansas web and social media pages is at the sole discretion of the HAPC.  
  14. All funded projects must comply with the HAPC guidelines for using HAPC and (if applicable) Ozark Gateway Tourist Council taglines and other recognition of funding.

Process

  1. Funding applications are due approximately two months before the desired Funding Presentation Meeting.
  2. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  3. Those with  completed applications will be invited to make a five-minute presentation at a Funding Presentation Meeting with up to ten minutes of questions from the Commission.
  4. Decisions on applications will be made at the next Funding Decision Meeting after the applicant’s funding presentation by a majority vote with a quorum present.
  5. The HAPC may approve all, part, or none of any request.
  6. A rejected or partially funded proposal may not be resubmitted within six months without a majority vote of the Commission.
  7. In most cases the HAPC or the Ozark Gateway Tourist Council will pay invoices directly after the vendor provides invoices and other appropriate documentation.
  8. An event/initiative report (form provided by the Commission) is due 30 days after the event or initiative.
  9. Awardees who do not complete the final report will not be eligible for further funding.
  10. In exceptional situations, out-of-cycle and emergency funding requests may be heard and approved at a single meeting if two-thirds of the current membership of the Commission agrees to hear the request.
Funding Application (External Link)

Link to Advertising Requirements for Funded Projects

2026 Funding Cycles

Winter Funding Cycle

Monday, January 26, 5:30 p.m. Funding Applications Due for February Meeting

Monday, February 2, 5:30 p.m. Funding Presentation Meeting

Monday, March 2, 5:30 p.m. Funding Decision Meeting

Spring Funding Cycle

Monday, April 6, 5:30 p.m. Funding Applications Due for May Meeting

Monday, May 4, 5:30 p.m. Funding Presentation Meeting

Monday, June 1, 5:30 p.m. Funding Decision Meeting

Summer Funding Cycle

Monday, July 6, 5:30 p.m. Funding Applications Due for August Meeting

Monday, August 3, 5:30 p.m. Funding Presentation Meeting

Tuesday, September 8, 5:30 p.m. Funding Decision Meeting

Fall Funding Cycle

Monday, October 5, 5:30 p.m. Funding Applications due for November Meeting

Monday, November 2, 5:30 p.m. Funding Presentation Meeting

Monday, December 7, 5:30 p.m. Funding Decision Meeting

Hardy A&P Tax Form