Competitive Grants Program
This program awards eligible applicants for projects that contribute to the development and improvement of local economies and communities throughout Oregon by means of the enhancement, expansion and promotion of the visitor industry.
Projects should support Travel Oregon’s vision of ‘an Oregon that is a welcoming destination where tourism drives economic prosperity, benefits the natural environment and celebrates rich, diverse cultures.’
Learn about the projects awarded funding through the Competitive & recovery Grant Program
The Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon has awarded $2,408,264.67 through its Competitive & Recovery Grant Program to support economic recovery by investing in projects that enhance and expand the visitor experience and prepare communities and visitors for COVID-19 safe travel. For this grant cycle, Travel Oregon received more than 400 applications with a request greater than $18 million.
Travel Oregon awards more than $2.4 million for projects that promote economic recovery across the state
| GRANT PROGRAM | GRANT FUNDING THRESHOLDS | TIMELINE |
|---|---|---|
Grants Program Postponed indefinitely. | Up to $20,000 ask (required 10% cash match) | within 12 months |
Grants Program Postponed indefinitely. Funding for this program was used to support to COVID-19 Emergency Response Grants which were funded in June 2020. | $20,000 - $100,000 ask (required 25% cash match) | within 24 months |
Grants Program This program is opened only under the direction of the Oregon Tourism Commission | Greater than $100,000 ask (required 50% cash match) | within 10 years |
Competitive Small Grants Program
Travel Oregon’s 2019-2020 Competitive Small Grants program was open from May 20, 2019-June 19, 2019. Read the award announcement to learn about the 30 projects that received funding.
Competitive Medium Grants Program
Travel Oregon’s 2018-2020 Competitive Medium Grants program was open from April 23, 2018-June 6, 2018. Read the award announcement to learn about the 12 projects that received funding.
Competitive Large Grants Program
At its public meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017 the Oregon Tourism Commission voted to open their Competitive Large Grants program for applications. The Commission further chose to designate $2.5 million dollars from the current fiscal year and an additional $2.5 million dollars over the course of the 2017-2019 biennium to initially fund this program. Eligible projects may be funded over more than one biennium.
Competitive Large Grant applications are for grants greater than $100,000 and must demonstrate at least a 50 percent cash match. Large grant awards are intended to create statewide impacts or impact multiple regions. Eligible projects must provide for the improvement or expansion of the tourism economy in Oregon by showcasing the state on a national or global stage or is a world-class asset.
During a public meeting of the Large Grants Review Committee on Monday, Nov. 27, it was determined that out of 15 applications received, a single applicant would move forward as a finalist to present to the Oregon Tourism Commission on Monday, Dec. 4.
At its Tuesday, Dec. 5 Oregon Tourism Commission meeting, the Commission awarded Oregon21, based in Eugene, $10 million for the 2021 IAAF World Championships that will showcase Oregon on a broad international scale. The grant awardee will be funded $2.5 million per year for four years. Read more about the 2017-2019 Competitive Large Grants awardee. Travel Oregon’s Competitive Large Grants are only opened at the direction of the Oregon Tourism Commission.
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