Lodging Tax Grant Program
The City of Vancouver’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) offers grants for local event/festival organizers, tourism promotion organizations, and one-time tourism program and tourism facilities projects.
Lodging Tax Grant applications closed on September 30, 2024. Successful grant applicants will receive funds for use in the 2025 calendar year.
According to RCW 67.28.1816(1), lodging tax revenues may be used directly by any municipality or indirectly through a destination marketing organization for:
- Tourism marketing
- Marketing and operations of special events and festivals designed to attract tourists
- Capital expenditures and operating expenses of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by a municipality or a public facilities district
- Operating expenses of tourism facilities owned or run by qualifying non-profits
Award decisions will be made based on available funds and strength of application. Evaluation criteria will focus on alignment with the City of Vancouver’s 2023-2029 Strategic Plan Core Values, Visit Vancouver’s 10-Year Destination Master Plan, seasonality, geography, equity & inclusion, environmental sustainability, uniqueness, and economic impact.
Cultural Enrichment Grant
Intended Purpose: Resources to support events or festivals that support the cultural enrichment of Vancouver.
Eligibility: Below are the eligibility guidelines that will be used to prioritize awarded grants. Applicants must meet all guidelines to be considered:
- The event is hosted or fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 nonprofit organization authorized to do business in the city of Vancouver.
- A specific event or festival cannot receive a cultural enrichment grant award more than three times.
- The event must be open to the public, whether ticketed or not.
- The event demonstrates contributive potential that aligns with the City of Vancouver’s focus on celebrating cultural diversity and promoting equity and inclusion. Without limitation, this may be demonstrated by meeting one or more of the following:
- The activity is an annual cultural celebration, cultural festival, or cultural awareness event designed to advance the awareness or appreciation of one or more “vulnerable populations” as defined by RCW 70A.02.010(14).
- The host organization or institution demonstrates the event’s contributive potential to raise awareness or support for issues faced by multicultural, women, LGBTQIA2S+, or communities with accessibility needs.
- Funds are restricted to the marketing and operations of events or festivals designed to attract tourists (visitors spending night in paid accommodations or attendees who travel 50 miles or more from an origin in Washington or people who travel from another state or country).
Award Amount: The requested grant must not exceed the greater of 15% of event budget or $2,500. Decisions will be made based on available funds and strength of application.
Large Event/Festival Grant
Intended Purpose: Resources to support events or festivals designed to contribute to the local tourism economy, attract a significant number of visitors and enhance Vancouver as a tourism destination.
Eligibility:
- The event is hosted or fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 nonprofit organization that services the city of Vancouver.
- The event or festival anticipates attendance of 2,500+ people.
- Funds are restricted to the marketing and operations of events or festivals designed to attract tourists.
- The event expects a significant number of visitors to:
- Spend the night in paid accommodations, or
- Travel 50 miles or more from an origin in Washington, or
- Travel from another state or country.
- The event must be open to the public, whether ticketed or not.
- A specific event or festival cannot receive a grant award more than two times unless it can demonstrate a change in approach or scope to attract significantly more (20%) attendees and/or reach new communities.
Award Amount: There is no grant award cap. Decisions will be made based on available funds, economic impact, and strength of application.
Tourism Organization Operating Grant
Intended Purpose: Resources to support destination marketing or visitor attraction efforts of organizations focused on marketing and promoting Vancouver as a visitor destination or enhancing the local tourism experience.
Eligibility:
- A 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 nonprofit organization that directly services the city of Vancouver’s tourism industry through marketing and promotion.
Award Amount: There is no grant award cap. Decisions will be made based on available funds, established programs and initiatives designed to market the destination or grow Vancouver’s tourism industry, and strength of application.
Tourism Program or Facilities Grant
Intended Purpose: Resources to support one-time tourism marketing or promotion programs or investments in tourism facilities designed to enhance the tourism experience or grow Vancouver’s tourism industry.
Eligibility:
Proposals must meet the eligible use of lodging tax funds as outlined in RCW 67.28.1816(1):
- Programs focused on tourism marketing and promotion activities.
- Supporting the operations and capital expenditures of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by a municipality or a public facilities district created under chapters 35.57 and 36.100 RCW.
- Supporting the operations of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by nonprofit organizations described under 26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3) and 26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(6) of the internal revenue code of 1986, as amended.
Award Amount: There is no grant award cap. Decisions will be made based on available funds, established programs and initiatives designed to market the destination or grow Vancouver’s tourism industry, and strength of application.
Special Event Permits
Please visit the Event Planning and Permits -The City of Vancouver, WA page for more information and details.
Have Questions?
For questions or more information, please reach out to Chris Harder, Deputy Director, Economic Prosperity & Housing at chris.harder@cityofvancouver.us.
