Matching Grants Program

2008 - 2009 MATCHING GRANTS CYCLE

The mission of the Oregon Tourism Commission (OTC), doing business as Travel Oregon, is to "encourage economic growth and to enhance the quality of life in Oregon through a strengthened economic impact of tourism throughout the state." As such, OTC has established a program to make grant awards to eligible applicants for projects that contribute to the development and improvement of local economies and communities throughout the state by means of the enhancement, expansion and promotion of the visitor industry.

Cities, counties, port districts, federally recognized Tribes and non-profit entities located in Oregon and involved with tourism promotion and development are eligible for grants from the Matching Grants Program. Applicants must equally match the amount of the awarded grant; up to 50% of the match may be in-kind. (Example: if you are awarded a $10,000 grant, you are responsible for coming up with $10,000 in matching funds of services or materials relevant to your grant project). All grant applicants must have a federal tax ID# to be considered. The program is administered by Travel Oregon's Tourism Development Manager with assistance from a grant review committee that screens and scores applications. Final determinations are made by the Oregon Tourism Commission.

OTC has $100,000 for investment in the Matching Grants Program during the fiscal year 2008-09 (July 1, 2008-June 30, 2009). Each applicant may request up to $10,000 in grant funds with a limit of one grant project request per cycle. The deadline for applications to be submitted is August 22, 2008 (Please note: ALL applications for the 2008-09 Matching Grants Cycle must be submitted online).

To get started, click on the link for 2008-09 Grant Guidelines 

• 2008-09 Grant Guidelines  
• Grant Project Idea Submission Worksheet  
• 2008-09 Matching Grant Online Application Form (coming soon!)    

If you have any questions, please contact: Michelle Westerberg, Tourism Development Assistant, Grants@TravelOregon.com, (503) 378-8850.

Related information:

• 2007-08 Grant Awardees - Official Press Release  
• Sampling of Funded Projects (from 2007-08 Matching Grants Program)

Oregon Tourism Commission/Travel Oregon research documents:  
www.traveloregon.com/research.cfm

Oregon Economic & Community Development Department:
http://econ.oregon.gov/

The Economic and Community Development Department has business development officers (BDO’s) located throughout the state. Your BDO is the most knowledgeable person in your area for information on potential grants and economic assistance. A list of the BDO's is available through the Oregon Economic & Community Development Department website: http://econ.oregon.gov/ECDD/bdt.shtml

Grant Writing Workshop presented by The Grant Institute:
http://www.thegrantinstitute.com/

Click here for a PDF copy of additional Grant Sources