TOT Grant Program for Non-Profits

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors is offering the Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT) Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2026-27, continuing its support for local non-profit organizations. Established in 2017, this grant program is part of the County’s ongoing initiative to invest in community-based programs across Sacramento County. Now in its eighth consecutive year, the program is designed to strengthen economic and workforce development, arts and culture, community development, and health and human services through targeted funding made available from TOT revenues. The TOT is collected from guests staying in hotels, motels, and other short-term lodging within unincorporated Sacramento County, and the grant program allocates a portion of these revenues directly back into the community. A total of $1 million in grant funding is available to qualifying non-profit organizations operating within Sacramento County. These organizations must be engaged in one or more of the eligible service areas: economic and workforce development, arts and culture, community development, and health and human services. The TOT Grant Program’s objective is to fund initiatives that demonstrate meaningful community benefit, aligned with the strategic priorities set forth by the Board of Supervisors. The grant encourages diversity in project scope while maintaining strict eligibility and application standards to ensure funds are directed toward sustainable and impactful services. The grant application period officially opens on January 5, 2026, at 8:00 AM PST and closes on February 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM PST. Applications must be submitted through the designated TOT Grant Portal. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered, and all applicants will receive an electronic confirmation upon successful submission. A grant workshop will be held via Zoom on January 20, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. This workshop will cover essential topics such as program eligibility, insurance requirements, application content, and the overall submission timeline, culminating in a live Q&A session for prospective applicants. Following the submission period, a two-stage evaluation will occur. First, from February 9 to February 20, 2026, County staff will assess each application for completeness and adherence to minimum eligibility criteria. Applicants that fail to meet these criteria will be notified electronically and will not advance to the full review process. From February 23 through May 13, 2026, qualifying proposals will be reviewed and ranked based on evaluation criteria and alignment with Board priorities. This comprehensive assessment will inform the final funding allocations. Final decisions regarding award recipients will be made during a public hearing by the Board of Supervisors in June 2026. Awardees will be notified of the hearing schedule and final decision within five business days following the Board’s determination. By July 2026, County staff will initiate the process of drafting and executing grant agreements with selected organizations. Applicants seeking additional details regarding eligibility criteria or application procedures are directed to the official TOT Grant Program website. Specific questions can be addressed to the program contact via SacCountyTOTAdmin@saccounty.gov. The grant represents a continued commitment to fostering community resilience and advancing programs that generate long-term benefit within Sacramento County.