Travel Nevada Allocates $250,000 in Grant Funds for America250 Nevada Projects
- America250 Nevada’s Travel Nevada Grants disperses funds from Tourism Tax Revenue as directed by the State Legislature -
Reno, Nev. (September 25, 2025) – The America250 Nevada Commission and the Nevada Commission on Tourism approved the allocation of $250,000 in grants to 14 organizations in Nevada for projects around the Semiquincentennial Celebration in 2026 in Nevada.
The awardees met the criteria of non-partisan, open to all, and the ability to provide a 50% in-kind match. The proposals were scored against demonstrative commemoration of Nevada history and heritage, encouragement of civic engagement, and potential to generate new economic impact. They also needed to align with one or more the following America250 Nevada goals:
Celebrate what unites us as Americans
Teach about democracy, history, and the Constitution
Promote civic engagement and volunteerism
Enhance Nevada’s heritage and culture
Support tourism and visitation
Collect data on tourism impact
Employ historical content that is evidence-based, accurate, authentic, and reliable
All grantees are owned, operated, and located within the State of Nevada, Territory organizations representing one of Nevada’s Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), Local governments, Non-profit organizations, Tribal government entities and non-profits on Tribal Lands.
“We thank all Nevada America250 grant applicants for the thought and creativity they placed in their submissions. We’re looking forward to celebrating our nation’s Semiquincentennial next year and seeing these projects come to fruition,” said Rafael Villanueva, Chief Tourism Officer for the State of Nevada.
The list of organizations, awards and projects:
Latino Arte and Culture, $15,616: To create programming around the representation of diverse Nevada communities and voter education opportunities.
Laughlin Tourism Commission, $35,000: To develop a seven-month celebration across Nevada, Arizona, and California highlighting heritage and boosting regional economic vitality.
St. Mary’s Art Center $5,000: Funding supports content creation promoting historic arts venue.
Nevada Cowboy Country Territory, $10,000: Grant supports marketing California Trail Days with partnerships from Native communities.
Visit Carson City, $18,000: Grant supports Points of Unity public art trail celebrating Nevada values.
Town of Pahrump, $5,000: Main Street mural and youth arts legacy project.
Pony Express Territory, $49,954: Supports Re-Ride Celebration and Highway 50 Passport, directly tied to America 250 heritage storytelling.
White Pine Main Street Association, $18,000: Grant will support a documentary on Ely’s copper heritage and July 4th celebrations.
Washoe Valley Alliance, $712: This is to fund a Interactive Comstock Lode heritage map.
Carson Valley Visitors Authority $4,110: The funds support Genoa Americana Celebration expansion and heritage maps reproduction.
City of Sparks $25,785: Grant supports mural and celebrations highlighting Sparks’ railroad history.
Clark County Parks & Recreation, $21,423: Grant will support Signal Box Project turning utility boxes into historical landmarks, strong educational and visual impact.
Visit Fallon, $39,900: Funds support year-long heritage and arts celebration including murals, fireworks, and Chalk Festival, fostering civic pride.
Town of Tonopah, $1,500: Grant will support brochures for historic walking tours, reduced funding covering essential promotional materials.
All programming will begin January 1 and conclude in July 2026.
For more information on America250 Nevada, visit www.America250NV.org. For more information on the national America250 initiatives, visit www.america250.org.
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