You can tell a lot about a town by its cultural institutions.
Not only to they help to explain an area’s long, storied history, they serve as a direct representation of its community’s values, both culturally and artistically. They tell visitors what’s happened in that particular corner of the world, while also nodding toward what’s to come. And across Long Island’s Suffolk County, they’re about to get an opportunity for support.
Earlier this month, Discover Long Island — the Hauppauge-based tourist information center and leading organization driving the region’s tourist economy — announced a new competitive funding initiative dubbed “Suffolk County Destination Development: History, Arts & Culture Grant Program, with the aim to support both historic and culturally significant destinations across Suffolk County.
“Year-round tourism and encouraging our residents to experience local destinations are both essential to Suffolk’s local economy,” says Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine. “The Suffolk County Destination Development Program is an innovative way for us to help our community partners and preserve our history while incentivizing Long Islanders to explore the beauty that is in their backyards.”
The program will provide grants ranging from $5,000 to $35,000 to eligible nonprofit organizations, municipalities, museums, arts organizations and cultural institutions that make viable contributions to Long Island’s cultural identity and tourist economy, according to a statement from Discover Long Island, an accredited destination marketing and leadership organization.
Restoration and preservation projects of historic and cultural venues, including capital improvements, accessibility upgrades, public art installations, programming directly tied to improved and restored spaces, qualify sites for eligibility. A collaborative effort, applicants are additionally required to provide a minimum of 50% cash or in-kind match.
“Funding like this has the power to be truly transformative,” said Long Island Arts Alliance Executive Director, Lauren Wagner. “It signals a meaningful shift in how we value arts and culture on Long Island. When funding aligns with impact, cultural organizations are better positioned to expand access, strengthen community connection, and tell the stories that define our region.”
Other requirements include a clear visitor and community engagement component from applicants, who will also be evaluated for tourism and economic impact, project readiness, sustainability and strength of partnerships. Finally, applicants must be a Discover Long Island partner in good standing with the organization and projects submitted for funding must be complete within the 2026 calendar year.
“At Discover Long Island, we are proud to invest directly back into the communities and cultural assets that make our destination so distinctive,” says Discover Long Island Chief Operating Officer, Sharon Wyman. “It is not unusual for destination marketing organizations to reinvest in the very places and experiences that visitors come to see especially our historic sites, arts organizations, and cultural institutions. This grant program is designed to help strengthen and restore these treasured attractions, support community engagement, and ultimately drive greater visitation and economic impact across Suffolk County.”
Applications open on March 3, with a deadline of April 30. Award announcements will be held on June 30. Those interested in applying should email [email protected] for more information.
