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Destination Door County Awards Largest Distribution to Date of Community Investment Fund Grants

February 13, 2024 – Door County, WI. Destination Door County (DDC) is pleased to announce the fourth grant cycle has awarded six projects a total of $376,035 from their Community Investment Fund.

The projects were awarded grants ranging from $15,000 to $150,000. Recipients included two local units of government and four non-profit organizations. This grant cycle was the largest distribution of funds since the program began last year.

All awarded projects must meet specific requirements to qualify for funding. The dollars DDC uses for this program are generated from room taxes that overnight visitors to the county pay and that DDC receives as part of their agreement with the Door County Tourism Zone Commission. Wisconsin state statute dictates the use of those dollars.

“We are so excited to award grant funds to impactful projects that positively benefit both the locals and visitors of Door County,” said Julie Gilbert, President/CEO of Destination Door County. “This program truly shows our community how the visitor economy supports the future of Door County.” she said.

The projects that were awarded funding in the program’s fourth grant cycle include:

  • Friends of Peninsula State Park is awarded $150,000 to help create 8-10 miles of mountain bike trails that will include a beginner level loop, an intermediate level loop, and advanced gravity runs.
  • City of Sturgeon Bay is awarded $100,000 to construct a pedestrian/bicycle trail that will provide a safe route from the Ahnapee State Trail to the opposite side of Highway 57/42 under the Bayview Bridge.
  • County of Door is awarded $56,035 to install illuminated beach water quality signs that will provide timely information on harmful pathogenic bacterium levels to improve the health of residents and visitors at 5 Door County beaches.
  • Sturgeon Bay Historical Society Foundation is awarded $30,000 to construct a walkway that will connect public restrooms and water filling stations at the Door County Granary to the West Waterfront Promenade, and to help complete finishing touches in and around the historic structure.
  • Door County Bookmobile, Inc. is awarded $25,000 to help bring the iconic vehicle and its community programming back to life.
  • Greater Escarpment Organization of Door County is awarded $15,000 for the development of an accessible, interpretive park that will educate residents and visitors about the Niagara Escarpment and identify escarpment sites throughout Door County.

These six projects join the eighteen projects that were awarded a total of $828,917 in 2023, bringing the total Community Investment Fund grant awards thus far to $1,204,952.

The next grant application deadline is Monday, March 25 at 4 PM. Qualified applicants include 501(c)(3) public charities, 501(c)(6) organizations, and local units of government.

Destination Door County encourages any interested local non-profit organization or Door County municipality to schedule a meeting with the Door County Community Foundation, DDC’s program administrative partner, to discuss their idea before submitting an application. Call the Community Foundation at (920) 746-1786 or email grants@givedoorcounty.org to schedule an appointment. For details about the program and to view funding requirements along with the online application, visit CommunityInvestmentFund.org.

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Destination Door County is the official tourism marketing and management organization for Door County whose mission is to inspire travel that drives community enhancement while working to ensure all travelers feel welcome, preserving the county’s way of life and protecting the region’s natural resources.