Oregon Wine Country License Plates Matching Grant Program
Since 2015, Travel Oregon has administered this program to make grant awards available to “tourism promotion agencies” for projects that promote wine and culinary tourism in Oregon.
Funding for the matching grant program comes from a portion of sales of the Oregon Wine Country license plate. Since the program’s inception more than $2 million has been awarded to support 92 wine and culinary tourism promotion projects.
Program Timeline
Applications are accepted annually during January-February with funds awarded in May. Projects must be completed by early June of the following year. Guidelines stay fairly consistent annually and will be available in December prior to the period to submit applications.
Program Eligibility
Eligible applicants for funding are limited to “Tourism Promotion Agencies” in Oregon.
ORS 320.300 defines “Tourism Promotion Agency” as:
- An incorporated nonprofit organization or governmental unit responsible for the tourism promotion of a destination on a year-round basis.
- A nonprofit entity that manages tourism-related economic development programs and projects.
- A regional or statewide association that represents entities that rely on tourism-related business for more than 50% of their total income.
Eligible projects or initiatives must provide for the improvement or expansion of the tourism economy in Oregon. Projects must promote wine and/or culinary tourism.
“Tourism promotion” is defined as:
- Advertising, publicizing, or distributing information for the purpose of attracting and welcoming visitors.
- Conducting strategic planning and research necessary to stimulate future tourism development.
- Operating tourism promotion agencies (specific to wine and culinary tourism efforts).
- Marketing special events and festivals designed to attract visitors.
For full information about what to expect when applying for funding, rules and requirements when using awarded funding, etc. please refer to the Grant Guidelines for each specific application cycle.
