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EXHIBIT A INDIAN RIVER COUNTY TOURIST TAX FUNDING REQUEST A. Program Cover Page Agency: Coastal Connections, Inc Telephone: 7722260133 Contact Person: Kendra Bergman Fax:©FF1� Title: Executive Director E -Mail: info(o)coastal-connections.orq Address: 130 10TH CT Website Address: wv✓w.coastal-connections.org Promoting Eco -Minded Travel, Sea Turtle Program Title: Conservation, and Elevating Tourism in Indian River using Social Media Marketing I Agree - By checking the "I Agree" box and entering your name below, you certify that information contained in this application accurately reflects the activities of this agency and that the expenditures or portions thereof for which County funds are being requested are not reimbursed by any other source. Name: Kendra Bergman Title: Executive Director brier aescrl Lion OT Tne rro ram Tor Wnicn Tunaing is re uesrea: Sea turtles are one of Indian River County's most attractive and charismatic natural resources. The fact that Indian River is home to one of the highest densities of nesting loggerhead sea turtles makes it not only incredibly special but also a destination for nature lovers. There are very few places around the world where people can travel to see sea turtles in the wild, and the central east coast of Florida is one of the only places where people can reliably see a loggerhead sea turtle up close with a permitted and authorized guide. CCinc serves as the primary permitted agency for education, community outreach, and eco -tourism opportunities for sea turtle conservation in Indian River County, leading both nighttime Turtle Walks and Daytime Turtle Digs from June -August every year. Although these experiences happen during select months of the year, marketing and advertising related to sea turtle nesting and these unique experiences are necessary all year long to encourage sustainable behaviors by guests and adequate planning for summertime trips. Every year CCinc conducts "LIVE" virtual viewings of daytime Turtle Dig events, and viewers report watching from locations outside of Florida, including North Carolina, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and more. These are the exact supporters we are targeting as part of social media marketing, with the intention of converting them to in-person viewers. For the 25/26 TDC funding cycle, Coastal Connections (CCinc) is respectfully requesting funds to create a social media marketing campaign to enhance local sea turtle conservation, promote summertime sea turtle experiences, and highlight the positive feedback loop of sustainability programs that beautify our beachside community that guests want to visit. In more detail, funds will be used to generate a variety of storytelling posts, reels, and ads designed to build CCinc's followers and convert those followers to visitors and participants of Turtle Walks and Turtle Dig experiences. All content created for this campaign will be made available for promotional purposes to other tourism partners in Indian River County. In addition to the social media campaign, a small portion of funds would be used to purchase program -specific equipment and supplies necessary for the organization to continue offering Turtle Walk and Turtle Dig programs. No requested funds will be used to support staffing requirements for Turtle Walks and Turtle Digs. All funds will be used for marketing and ads, program supplies, and necessary equipment for Turtle Walks and Turtle Digs. This request complies with Florida Statute 125.0104 Section (5)(a)2. The total amount requested is $20,000. Ke Amount requested from Indian River County for 2025/2026.- Total 025/2026:Total Proposed Program budget for 2025/2026: Percent of total Program budget: Current Funding (2024/2025) Dollar increase / (decrease) in request: Percent increase / decrease in request: $20,000.00 $329,600.00 $11,000.00 $9,000.00 6.07% 81.82% If request increased 5% or more briefly explain why: CCinc's FY 24/25 request was $16,000, but only $11,000 was funded after the council reduced all nonprofit funding requests following a budget shortage. However, for FY 25/26 there is an increase in sales tax revenue, and we have been asked by the council to request more funding. The Organization's Board of Directors has approved this application on (date): 04/18/2025 Name of President/Chair of the Board: Megan Lynch Name of Exec. Director/CEO: Kendra Bergman EXHIBITA