The Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACCVB) Foundation announced $50,500 in funding for latest round of Hospitality Grant recipients. To date, the three-year old program has awarded $212,000 to organizations that create programs and tourist-attracting events in our community.
The fund, which is managed by the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region (CFGCR), supports programs that aid in building and sustaining Albany County tourism destinations, attractions, events, and tourism-related activities. The grants encourage collaboration between nonprofit organizations, community groups, and hospitality businesses to further extend the economic impact of tourism and business.
“We are immensely proud of our ongoing efforts to support the organizations that create programs right here in our community,” says Michele Vennard, President/CEO of the ACCVB. “These creative events and groundbreaking programs are poised to increase our audience of visitors, stimulate our local economy, and contribute to the richness of the area.”
“The Community Foundation is proud to work with ACCVB on the Hospitality Grant Program,” said John G. Eberle, President and CEO, the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. “The grant awards given through this program strengthen our region’s nonprofits, and help make Albany County more vibrant for residents and visitors. On behalf of the Community Foundation’s staff and Board of Directors, I extend my sincere congratulations to all 2016 Hospitality Grant recipients.”
The grants, which will be used for programming in next year and range from $1,000 – $5,000, are funded through the earned income of the Bureau. Recipients include Palace Theatre, Irish American Heritage Museum, and the Sidney Albert Albany Jewish Community Center.
“The ACCVB’s grant program provides invaluable support for Palace initiatives,” says Holly Brown, Executive Director of the Palace Theatre. “The funding we are to receive will be used to forward our plans to expand the Palace into a vibrant performing arts center that will create a sustainable future for arts and culture in our region.” The grant money is designated for the Palace’s expansion plans.
The Irish American Heritage Museum also received a grant for $1500 for their horse-drawn carriage tours. “The Irish American Heritage Museum is thrilled to be a recipient of the ACCVB Hospitality Grant,” says Ryan Mahoney, Executive Director of the Irish American Heritage Museum. “This award enables the museum to continue to develop and provide historic horse-drawn trolley tours of Downtown Albany in partnership with Clayhaven Carriage and Trolley. These tours not only highlight the rich history and architecture of Albany, but also help drive visitation to restaurants and other cultural venues in the area. Further, it creates another opportunity for entertainment as people begin to come to the area to use the new convention center.”
The Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau also awarded $5,000 to support the Capital Region Maccabi Games. “The Sidney Albert Albany Jewish Community Center is honored to receive this grant from The Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau Fund of The Community Foundation for the 2017 Capital Region JCC Maccabi Games Opening Ceremonies,” says Adam Chaskin, Executive Director for the Sidney Albert Albany JCC. “These funds will allow us to put on a first-class opening ceremonies with an electric atmosphere for our guests from all around the world. Ensuring that everyone knows how great the Capital Region of New York is.”
The 2016 Grant Recipients Are:
- Sidney Albert Albany Jewish Community Center: $5,000 for the 2017 Capital Region Maccabi Games Opening Ceremonies
- Capital District Gay & Lesbian Community Council: $3,500 for the 2017 Capital PRIDE Celebration
- Friends of Pruyn House: $1,000 for the 2017Concerts in the Barn series
- Old Songs, Inc.: $1,500 for the Old Songs Folk Festival of Traditional Music and Dance
- Organization of Adirondack Rowers: $3,500 for the 2017 Head of the Hudson Regatta
- Special Olympics of New York: $1,500 for the State Summer Games
- Troy Savings Bank Music Hall: $1,500 for the Bridge Jazz Festival
- Albany Center Galleries, Inc.: $2,500 for arts exhibits showcasing the Contemporary Artists of the Capital Region
- Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region: $2,500 for tours of the Underground Railroad in Albany
- Albany Symphony Orchestra, Inc.: $2,500 for the 2016-2017 season
- Irish American Heritage Museum: $1,500 for Downtown Albany Historic Trolley Tours
- Park Playhouse, Inc.: $5,000 for expanded year-round programming
- Albany Institute of History & Art: $2,000 for 2017 out-of-market outreach
- Erie Canalway Heritage Fund, Inc.: $5,000 for Matton Shipyard Preservation and the Adaptive Reuse Initiative
- Historic Cherry Hill: $2,500 for the“Get REAL! Historic Cherry Hill Ramp Up to Reopening” campaign
- Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway Coalition, Inc.: $500 for Heritage Tours of the Mohawk Towpath Byway
- Palace Performing Arts Center, Inc.: $5,000 for the Palace Capital Improvement Project
- Shaker Heritage Society: $4,000 for their digital marketing project
ABOUT ACCVB
The Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. was established in 1976 to promote the civic and commercial progress of the community through increased development of conventions and tourism. ACCVB currently represents more than 300 member businesses and assists each year in hundreds of regional meetings. ACCVB also operates the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center, Henry Hudson Planetarium, and the Albany International Airport Information Center. The ACCVB Foundation was established in 1993 to provide educational opportunities and work with other organizations to secure grants and funding to advance regional travel and tourism projects. For more information, call 518-434-1217 or 800-258-3582 or visit www.albany.org.