Outdoor Marketing Grant

The Outdoor Recreation Division launched the Outdoor Marketing Grant program in 2023-24 to expand participation in New Mexico’s outdoor recreation industry. This program aimed to empower communities and nonprofits to enhance their outdoor recreation marketing efforts, increasing outdoor participation, promoting ecosystem stewardship, and improving access to outdoor opportunities. The one-year program was funded through the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) implementation of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in partnership with the New Mexico Tourism Department, highlighting a collaborative effort to support outdoor recreation and tourism.

Eligible expenses included event sponsorships, brochures, maps, guidebooks, digital and print advertisements, videos, and other marketing materials that showcase the region’s outdoor recreation offerings. The highly competitive grant cycle ran from October 15 to December 31, 2023, attracting 60 applications.

In March 2024, 39 grantees were awarded a total of $846,872. Over 63% of recipients were from rural areas across 17 counties, with grants ranging from $10,000 to $30,000. These funds supported 10 events and 29 comprehensive marketing campaigns by New Mexico nonprofits, counties, and municipalities, strengthening local economies and outdoor recreation initiatives statewide.

To view a complete list of the programs and events funded by the Outdoor Marketing Grant, visit the Grant Recipient Database.

At this time, there is no ongoing funding stream to continue the Outdoor Marketing Grant program. The EDA/ARPA funding was a one-time allocation, and additional resources are required to sustain this impactful initiative in the future.