Travel Portland Event Sponsorships

Updated Oct. 21, 2024 3 min read

Travel Portland provides sponsorship support for events that align with our strategic objectives to drive leisure demand, enhance our destination reputation and advance equity, diversity and inclusion in our destination.

Sponsorship Guidelines

Events must fall into one of the following categories and meet the associated criteria in order to be considered:

Large Event Sponsorship – up to $30,000 (depending on size of event)

• The annual event has been held in Portland for at least two years.
• The event is open to the public (can be ticketed or not).
• The event lasts a minimum of two consecutive days.
• The event garners an expected attendance of at least 7,500 people, with at least 10% of attendees coming in from out-of-town (based on historical data).
• The event is located in Portland. We prioritize events located in the central city (including Downtown, Old Town, Goose Hollow, Central Eastside, Lower Albina and Lloyd neighborhoods).
• Event organizers demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility through their programming, staffing and operations.
• The event contributes positively to Portland’s tourism economy and the city’s reputation as a tourism destination.

Additional funding for large events between July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 was provided by Travel Oregon.

Cultural Enrichment Sponsorship – up to $2,500

Due to budget adjustments, the Cultural Enrichment Sponsorship Program will have a limited number of awards for the fiscal year spanning July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.

Below are the eligibility guidelines that will be used to prioritize the awarded grants. Applicants must meet all guidelines to be considered:  

• The event is hosted or fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 nonprofit organization that services the Portland metropolitan area.
• The annual event must have been held for at least two years.
• The event must be open to the public, whether ticketed or not.
• The event is an annual cultural celebration, cultural festival, cultural awareness event, and/or fundraiser (e.g., galas, scholarships, symposiums, and luncheons).
• The host organization or institution primarily serves multicultural, women, LGBTQIA2S+, unhoused and/or communities with accessibility needs.
• The requested sponsorship must not exceed 15% of event budget or $2,500.

Sponsorship Request Process

Organizations seeking sponsorship are asked to create an account within Travel Portland’s grant and sponsorship platform and complete a request form.

Travel Portland then reviews requests, which may be accepted, denied or awarded at a lower gift amount. Travel Portland regularly receives more requests than we can support, so some requests may be denied. Denial of a sponsorship application request should not be viewed as a reflection of the event’s merit. Organizations will only be eligible for consideration for one sponsorship per fiscal year.

The sponsorship review and awarding process is aligned with Travel Portland’s fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). Organizations requesting sponsorship should reference the schedule below and submit completed applications before the application deadline.