TDC Programs

The Council helps produce a Tourist Development Plan that outlines how the proceeds of the 4% Tourist Development Tax (TDT) will be used for 4 specified spending categories:

Destination and Marketing

The County has a contract with the St. Johns County Visitors and Convention Bureau (VCB), which is a not-for-profit corporation made up of more than 200 tourism businesses from around the county. As part of its agreement:

  • The VCB is responsible for developing and implementing an annual marketing plan promoting St. Johns County worldwide as a desirable visitor destination. 
  • VCB partners also leverage the County’s marketing dollars through co-op advertising, trade-show participation and by providing complimentary or low-cost goods and services for visiting travel writers, tour operators, meeting planners and other travel industry professionals.
  • VCB Promotional Tool Kit

Arts & Culture Management

St. Johns County Tourist Development Fiscal Year 2024 Arts/Culture/Heritage (ACH) Funding Program

For programs and activities occurring between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024

View or download the Grant Guidelines here:  FY2024 ACH Grant Guidelines

The deadline to submit your FY2024 application is 5:00 PM on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

Questions regarding any portion of the application or application process must be submitted in writing via email to . The deadline for submitting questions is ten (10) calendar days before the application deadline. All questions will be answered and posted to StJohnsCulture.com.

All applicants must attend a grant workshop before submitting an application. Visit www.stjohnsculture.com to register for one of the grant workshops.

All applications will be submitted electronically. The application portal will open April 1, 2023 and can be accessed by clicking the link below:

FY24 ACH Grant Application Portal

The Cultural Council recommends that the applicant representative who attends the workshop be the person who will complete the Grant Application and serve as the Contact Person.

For additional information please call the St. Johns Cultural Council at 904-808-7330.

Leisure / Recreational Development (Sporting Event Grants)

TDC programs under Leisure and Recreation are managed by the County’s Parks and Recreation Department and have included capital projects such as fishing piers, boat ramps and beach re-nourishment / maintenance.

  • Sporting events such as the Triple Crown Sports baseball tournament and the St. Augustine Amateur golf tournament also receive TDC Category 3 funding.
  • A TDC funded sports event grant program is administered by SJC Parks & Recreation Department. Guidelines and application.

Administration, Special Uses and Special Events

Funds tourism related infrastructure improvements such as the St. Augustine Amphitheatre and the St. Johns County Convention Center, and provides financial support for certain significant special events like THE PLAYERS Championship and Nights of Lights, and funds Administrative and Operational expenses.

Cross-Category Programs

Additionally, funds from all three categories are used in some larger programs deemed important to the visitor experience or as tourism-generators including THE PLAYERS Championship golf tournament and the MPS Tennis Championships, both in Ponte Vedra Beach, the St. Johns County Convention Center at World Golf Village and the City of St. Augustine’s Visitor Information Center.