Tourism and Cultural Investment Grants

The City of Spokane, through its Grants Department, is offering funding opportunities under the 2026-02 Tourism and Cultural Investment (TACI) Grant program. This initiative aims to enhance Spokane's cultural landscape and tourism economy by supporting events, projects, and facility improvements that attract visitors and enrich the city's cultural environment. The funding is authorized by Washington state law RCW 67.28.1817, which enables cities to collect a lodging excise tax. Proceeds from this tax are then reinvested into the community through grants to organizations that stimulate tourism. The TACI Committee, composed of hotel representatives, cultural stakeholders, and a City Council member, oversees the evaluation and recommendation process. The purpose of the TACI Grant is to support activities that promote tourism and cultural engagement within Spokane. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, and public agencies with active City of Spokane business licenses or valid exemptions. Proposals must demonstrate the ability to hold public-facing events or activities within city limits that are open and accessible to the general public. Grant-funded events must take place between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. Funded activities can include sports, arts, culinary, music, film, street or park festivals, and other cultural expressions that bring visitors into Spokane. Funding may also support facility enhancements that serve a public or nonprofit purpose. Awards are structured as reimbursement grants, although advance payments may be allowed for eligible recipients under certain conditions. Applicants must submit their proposals electronically through the City’s Neighborly Portal no later than March 31, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. No paper or emailed applications will be accepted. Applicants are required to register, complete the full application form, provide supporting documentation, and certify their submissions in the portal. The application period opened on March 1, 2026. While there is no mandatory pre-submittal meeting, a deadline for submitting questions is set for March 18, 2026, with responses to be posted publicly on the city’s website. The evaluation process will categorize applications into one of three groups: New/Young events, Established events, and Legacy events. Projects are assessed based on tourism impact, community engagement, economic benefit, diversity and inclusion efforts, feasibility and sustainability, partnerships, and organizational capacity. Preference may be given to smaller organizations and proposals that enhance cultural inclusion, economic development, and lodging utilization. Legacy events must show meaningful new components or programming to remain competitive. The TACI Committee may also invite top-ranking applicants to present their projects during the selection phase. Funding recommendations will be announced by April 27, 2026. Applicants must demonstrate the legal, financial, and operational capacity to manage the grant-funded event or project. All awarded projects are required to maintain appropriate insurance, comply with nondiscrimination standards, and complete a post-event evaluation form within 90 days of the event. The City reserves the right to withhold or cancel awards based on failure to meet contractual terms or project timelines. If the event is postponed beyond three months of its original date, the grantee must reapply in a future cycle. The maximum grant request allowed per applicant is $10,000, and the minimum is $5,000. TACI funds are designed to encourage projects that strengthen Spokane’s profile as a regional cultural hub. The City emphasizes inclusivity and sustainability, urging applicants to showcase how their initiatives align with the city motto, "In Spokane, we all belong." Successful applicants will be expected to demonstrate measurable economic and social impacts while cultivating long-term tourism growth. Questions about the program may be directed to [email protected]. The official NOFA and additional documents are available on the City of Spokane’s website.

Partner with local hotels; show cultural value; demonstrate reach beyond Spokane