Mono County Roundup: Community Grant Applications OPEN and More

Mono County Community Support Grant Programs

Applications Now Open

The Economic Development, Tourism, and Film Commission (EDTFC) is pleased to announce the availability of funding, as adopted by the Mono County Board of Supervisors in the 2026-2027 fiscal year budget, through three reimbursement-based Community Support Grant Programs:

• Community Event Marketing Fund (CEMF): a reimbursement grant that supports established nonprofit organizations with advertising and promotion of tourism-based community events, with an emphasis on reaching audiences outside the Eastern Sierra and increasing visitation and overnight stays in Mono County. Up to $5,000 per event is available, with $25,000 total available for this program.
• Historical Societies Grant Program (HSGP): a reimbursement grant that supports established nonprofit historical societies and museums in Mono County with eligible projects and programs. Total funding available for HSGP for the 2026-2027 fiscal year is $14,000, with up to $4,000 available per organization.
• Performing & Visual Arts Grant Program (PVAG): a reimbursement grant that supports established nonprofit performing and visual arts organizations in Mono County with eligible projects and programs. A total of $25,000 is available for this program, with funding determined based on the scope and needs of each project.

Applications are due by 4:59 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.

Funding Approval and Notification Timeline

• October 19, 2026: Application deadline
• October 27, 2026: EDTFC reviews applications and makes funding recommendations
• November 10, 2026: EDTFC-recommended allocations go to the Mono County Board of Supervisors
• By November 14, 2026: Applicants are notified by email of funding decisions

A Few Things to Note This Year

There are a few updates to the grant programs for this cycle, so please take a moment to review the program parameters before applying.

As updated last year for HSGP and PVAG, funded projects, programs, purchases, and events for the 2026-2027 grant cycle may take place throughout the 2027 calendar year, ending December 31, 2027.

Applicants must clearly identify when the project, program, purchase, or event will be completed and when they expect to submit documentation for reimbursement:

• Projects completed by June 30, 2027: Funds will be committed to the current fiscal year and reimbursed from the current fiscal-year allocation.
• Projects completed between July 1 and December 31, 2027: Funds will be committed to the following fiscal year (FY 2027–2028) and reimbursed no later than December 31, 2027.
• Once funding has been committed to a fiscal year, reimbursement must occur within that fiscal year. Funds cannot be moved between fiscal years if the project timeline changes.
• For CEMF, some local advertising is now eligible. However, the scoring criteria also include an additional point for applicants who demonstrate a commitment to marketing their event to audiences outside the Eastern Sierra.
• For PVAG, applicants are no longer limited by a maximum request amount. Please note that the total funding available for the program remains $25,000.

Please also note that these are reimbursement programs. Reimbursement is provided after the approved project, program, purchase, or event is completed and the required final report and documentation have been submitted.

For information on other funding programs in Mammoth Lakes and/or Mono County, please visit the Town of Mammoth Lakes website for a list of additional community funding opportunities.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Amanda Carlson at [email protected] if you have questions or need assistance with your application. We appreciate all that our nonprofit organizations do throughout Mono County to enrich and support our communities.

View Grant Programs & Apply Online

Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination (WID) Station Updates

Help us protect Eastern Sierra lakes and streams from invasive species by continuing to share WID information with your guests, customers, clients, and visitors.

A few seasonal updates are below:

By Appointment Now Available at Bishop WID.
Station is closed unless an appointment is made at least 24 hours in advance.

Call 760-873-0409 between 8am and 5pm at least 24 hours in advance to request an appointment. LADWP staff will do their best to accommodate appointment requests.

Crowley Lake Fish Camp and Bridgeport:
Open through October 25, then closed for the season.

Crowley Lake Fish Camp
Will inspect and decontaminate any watercraft, whether or not it is launching at Crowley Lake. Wake sport boats with ballast tanks can also stop here for mandatory decontamination.
Location: 1149 S Landing Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Hours: Seven days/week; please check the website for current hours
Cost: Free for watercraft launching at Crowley Lake; $20 for watercraft not launching at Crowley Lake

Bridgeport
Location: 1002 Aurora Canyon Road, Bridgeport, CA 93517
Open Thursday–Monday, 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Inspections and decontaminations are free.

More Information
WID station locations, dates, hours, FAQs, and additional resources can be found at EasternSierraWID.com.

Fall is Here!
New Maps, Weekly Reports, and Events Galore

Fall color season is underway!

Weekly Fall Color Reports are back, with new updates posted every Wednesday by 6pm.

Find current conditions, photos, and more, please visit and direct visitors to: Monocounty.org/things-to-do/fall-colors/

New Fall Color Maps – Coming Soon
We’ve partnered with the Bishop Chamber of Commerce and Mammoth Lakes Tourism on a refreshed Fall Color Map.

The new maps are at the printer now, and we’ll begin deliveries as soon as they arrive. In the meantime, please use your existing maps, or view and download the map online.

Running low on visitor guides or other materials? Email [email protected] and we’ll prioritize a stop at your business.

Fall Events
Check out our Fall Events page and share it with your guests and customers.

Have an event to add? Send it to [email protected].

Tri-Valley Recreation & Community Infrastructure Survey

Tri-Valley Residents: How should we spend $200,000 in your community?

Mono County has allocated $200,000 for immediate recreation and infrastructure improvements in Benton, Chalfant, and Hammil and we want your feedback on how it should be spent.

Whether it’s upgrading community centers, adding playground shade, improving sports courts, or building walking paths, your feedback will shape these projects.

Please take this 3-minute survey to let us know!

English Survey: surveymonkey.com/r/TriValleyCommunitySurvey

Encuesta en Español: forms.gle/3pEWrNcPW285sLUT8

US 395 & 6 CMP General Public Survey

Do you live, work, travel, or recreate along U.S. 395 or U.S. 6 in Kern, Inyo, or Mono counties? Caltrans District 9 is developing a long-term 20-year plan for U.S. Highways 395 and 6.

US 395 connects communities from Johannesburg (Kern County) to Topaz (Mono County), while US 6 runs from Bishop (Inyo County) to the Nevada State Line. This plan will identify transportation needs, safety improvements, and a shared community vision for both corridors.

Your experience on these highways is exactly what this planning effort needs to hear.

The public comment period is open until October 31, 2026.

For questions and comments please contact us at [email protected] or [email protected].

Take the 5-minute Survey

Eastern Sierra Capital Summit – September 17th

Capital Summit Registration: https://bit.ly/2026ESCS