You Make THE Difference National Tour—A Grant Opportunity for Your State
The ‘You Make THE Difference National Tour’ is your state’s chance to transform fair boards, volunteers, and communities through a fully-funded training initiative.
This grant and award opportunity provides:
• A statewide face-to-face training tour tailored to meet the needs of every fair board in your state.
• Indefinite access to a comprehensive training webpage with videos, guides, and resources for ongoing development.
• A $1,000 administrative grant to support coordination of the program in your State.
This program is made possible through the generous support of Fairs.com, making this an unique opportunity to empower fair boards and their communities for the long term.
In this first wave, we’re launching an ambitious 90-day effort to empower 500 fair boards across America by May 1, 2025. There’s no cost, no catch—just a commitment to helping fairs succeed.
Apply now to bring this initiative to your State.
The Tour at a Glance - Equip,Support, Inspire
You Make THE Difference National Tour’ is designed to empower fair boards with actionable strategies to overcome challenges and thrive in today’s dynamic environment.
• Address Volunteer Shortages:
Discover proven methods to recruit, retain, and motivate dedicated volunteers to build a reliable team.
• Enhance Financial Sustainability:
Learn innovative approaches to secure funding, boost financial resilience, and plan for long-term success.
• Combat Leadership Fatigue:
Access tools and support to effectively manage responsibilities, prevent burnout, and create a collaborative, healthy board environment.
When: Tour Kicks Off February 2025
Where: Your state and county!
What to Expect
The ‘You Make THE Difference National Tour’ is a transformative program designed to address the real challenges fair boards face today. Led by award-winning humanitarian Ian Hill, who has empowered hundreds of communities across North America, this tour equips fair boards with the tools and strategies they need to thrive.
Participants can expect:
• Comprehensive Training Sessions:
Immersive 3.5-hour workshops tailored to the specific needs of fair boards, focusing on practical solutions and real-world applications.
• Exclusive Resources:
Access to a suite of post-training materials, including guides, templates, and best practices, complemented by a 30-day follow-up platform for continued learning and support.
• Statewide Implementation:
Coordinated efforts to train all fair boards within each state, fostering a unified approach to overcoming challenges and enhancing statewide collaboration.
• Ongoing Support:
Continued assistance to ensure the successful application of strategies, including personalized consultations, peer networking opportunities, and access to expert advice.
• Action-Oriented Workshops:
Interactive sessions designed to equip fair boards with actionable tools to tackle pressing challenges like volunteer shortages, leadership fatigue, and financial sustainability.
• Community Empowerment Projects:
Hands-on activities that address local issues, strengthen community involvement, and create tangible, lasting outcomes.
Who This is For
The ‘You Make THE Difference National Tour’ is designed for anyone dedicated to the success of fairs and their communities.
This includes:
• Fair Board Members:
Seeking innovative tools and strategies to enhance their fair’s impact and sustainability.
• State and County Associations:
Supporting their fair boards with accessible, practical training that drives real results.
• Volunteers and Community Leaders:
Looking to build stronger teams, expand their influence, and overcome common challenges like volunteer shortages and leadership fatigue.
• Local Government and Civic Leaders:
Interested in strengthening their community’s cultural and economic contributions through successful fairs.
Award and Grant Benefits
Your state association has the opportunity to receive a grant and award that brings the ‘You Make THE Difference National Tour’ to every fair board in your state—providing lasting benefits at no cost to participants.
What the Grant Includes:
• Comprehensive Statewide Training Tour:
Our team will travel throughout your state, delivering in-person training sessions tailored to address critical challenges such as volunteer shortages, leadership fatigue, and financial sustainability.
• Ongoing Training Resources:
After the tour, fair boards will gain access to an exclusive training webpage with videos, guides, and support materials. This resource is available indefinitely, providing continued support for training new volunteers and board members, ensuring long-term benefits for your state.
• $1,000 Administrative Support:
Your association will receive funding to help coordinate the logistics of the tour, ensuring a smooth and seamless process.
Why This Award Matters:
• Transformative Impact:
Equip your fair boards with tools and strategies that lead to better operations, increased volunteer engagement, and stronger community connections.
• Statewide Collaboration:
Foster a unified approach among fair boards, building stronger relationships and shared solutions across your state.
• Lasting Legacy:
With the indefinite-access training webpage, fair boards in your state will have resources to train new leaders and volunteers for years to come.
Join the Movement
Apply Now to Bring the ‘You Make THE Difference National Tour’ to Your State!
We’re awarding a limited number of statewide grants to associations ready to transform their fair boards and communities.
The program provides:
• A statewide training tour designed to empower every fair board in your state.
• An indefinite-access training webpage with tools and resources for ongoing training of new volunteers and board members.
• $1,000 in administrative funding to support coordination of the program.
Apply Now—“First Wave” Space is Limited!
Submit your application today and join the movement to ensure the success of your fair boards and their communities.
Initiative made possible through the generous support of
Fairs.com believes that every fair, regardless of size or budget, deserves access to the tools needed to operate, grow, and thrive. They recognize the vital role fairs play in their communities—preserving agricultural traditions, driving local progress, and fostering essential human connections. With innovative digital ticketing, marketing, and website services, Fairs.com provides a full set of tools to ensure fairs remain vital hubs of tradition and progress.
