Fairs > FAIR ASSISTANCE
The USTA will help fund your promotions program for the harness racing at your fair!
The USTA's Fair Assistance Program, started in 2006 as the Matching Funds Grant program, assists individual county fairs, horsemen's associations and colt circuits to promote the harness racing at their fairs. Over the years, the USTA fairs department has developed additional programs and now there is $30,000 in total funding each year available through three programs:
1. Matching Funds Grant - up to $1,000 to each selected group to support a marketing/advertising campaign that promotes harness racing at the county fair level. Any advertising to promote the harness racing at your fair is eligible, including radio, newspaper, billboard, bus, gas station toppers, etc. as long as 75% of the ad is for harness racing. Selected applicants will receive one half of the awarded funding approximately one month after applications are due. The second half of the funding will be mailed once a satisfactory final report is received.
2. Promotional Item Reimbursement - up to $1,000 to each group, available on a first come/first served basis until the budget is spent, for items purchased as grandstand give-a-ways (mugs, bags, hats, etc.) that have a harness horse on it. These would be items purchased by the applying entity and then half of the cost, up to $1,000 will be reimbursed
3. Bulk Purchasing Program - the USTA will order certain items in bulk that groups can order for give-a-ways at their fair. These items are for sale from the USTA at 50% of the cost. Items will vary year-to-year.
Please note that each program has their own application or purchasing process. Be sure to use the correct form and supply the correct supporting documents. Fairs and horsemen's associations can apply for one, two or all three of the available programs.
Applications are due by May 1, 2025.
Applications are evaluated on a first come/first served basis.
Email Jessica Schroeder or call 877.800.8782, x3212 for more information.
Coming Soon...
Visit the Racing Promotion Idea Center for more ideas.
Final reports for the Matching Funds Grant are due within 30 days of the last day of your fair. If the report is postmarked after December 1, your organization may not be eligible to receive the second half of funding that was originally awarded to you and may result in the applicant's disqualification from the Matching Funds Grant program in subsequent years.
View our list of grant recipients since 2006.
