City of Vancouver Lodging Tax Grant Program

The City of Vancouver, Washington, administers the Lodging Tax Grant Program through its Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. This program is designed to provide financial support to organizations and event organizers whose activities promote tourism, support large-scale festivals, enrich cultural experiences, and develop or maintain tourism-related facilities and programs. Funding comes from lodging tax revenues collected from overnight stays in hotels and other lodging establishments in the city. By law, these funds must be reinvested in tourism promotion and development, ensuring that the city continues to attract visitors and strengthen its local economy. Applications for the 2026 grant cycle will be accepted from August 1, 2025, through September 19, 2025. Grants awarded during this cycle will be distributed for use in the 2026 calendar year. The application portal, known as Grant Interface, will be updated on August 6, 2025, though all applicant information from prior years will remain intact. Applicants will have access to consultation sessions offered in partnership with Visit Vancouver. These 30-minute one-on-one appointments are intended to help organizations accurately assess visitor-related information such as attendance projections and paid lodging nights, ensuring alignment with program goals. Funding is authorized under RCW 67.28.1816(1), which allows the use of lodging tax revenues for several purposes. These include tourism marketing, the marketing and operations of events and festivals designed to attract tourists, capital expenditures and operating expenses of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by municipalities or public facilities districts, and operating expenses of qualifying nonprofit-run facilities. The City emphasizes that award amounts are dependent on available funds and the quality of the application. Selection will be guided by evaluation criteria that align with the City of Vancouver’s 2023–2029 Strategic Plan Core Values, Visit Vancouver’s 10-Year Destination Master Plan, and considerations such as seasonality, geographic diversity, equity and inclusion, environmental sustainability, event uniqueness, and projected economic impact. Four types of grant categories are offered: Cultural Enrichment Grants, Large Event/Festival Grants, Tourism Program or Facilities Grants, and Tourism Organization Operating Grants. Each is intended for different project types but must clearly demonstrate a direct connection to tourism and overnight stays in Vancouver. Award sizes are not specified in the program overview, meaning applicants should prepare proposals that justify the scale of funding needed to achieve measurable tourism outcomes. Matching funds are not listed as a requirement, but applicants are encouraged to demonstrate financial responsibility and alignment with the city’s tourism strategy. To support applicants, the City of Vancouver will host two virtual question-and-answer sessions. These will take place on August 26, 2025, at 10 a.m., and September 2, 2025, at 1 p.m., via Microsoft Teams. Interested participants must RSVP by contacting Kimberly Kerlee at kimberly.kerlee@cityofvancouver.us to receive access links. For broader questions, applicants may contact Chris Harder, Deputy Director of Economic Prosperity and Housing, at chris.harder@cityofvancouver.us. These sessions will help applicants clarify requirements and strengthen their submissions. Applicants should also be aware that special event permits are required for activities occurring on public or private property that impact public streets, rights-of-way, or sidewalks. This includes festivals, concerts, parades, athletic events, and other community gatherings. Resources such as the Lodging Tax Grants – Partnering with Hotel Guidelines, reporting definitions for lodging tax expenditures, and prior-year award lists are available on the program’s website to assist applicants. The program underscores Vancouver’s commitment to fostering a vibrant tourism economy by supporting cultural, recreational, and community events that highlight the city as a regional destination.

Applicants can book 30-minute consultation sessions with Visit Vancouver to improve tourism impact estimates.