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Visitor Experience Enhancement Grants

Travel Portland's grants are intended to support our mission of generating travel demand that drives economic impact for Portland.

Updated Nov. 7, 2024 1 min read

Travel Portland is dedicated to promoting our destination in bold, innovative and collaborative ways that harness Portland’s personality and values and that connect visitors to authentic experiences. We support those experiences through our grant program.

2025 Visitor Experience Enhancement Grants Program

Funded through lodging taxes and fees collected from hotels and short-term rentals within Portland, these grants fund projects that will create new tourism infrastructure or enhance existing tourism infrastructure in Portland in alignment with the following strategic objectives:

Create mainstream awareness of Portland as a destination
Strengthen Portland’s brand
Elevate the visitor experience

The total funding available for the 2025 grant cycle is up to $250,000. Requests between $25,000 to $50,000 will be accepted. Projects must be complete by May 1, 2026.

VIEW full grant GUIDELINES

Timeline

Grant guidelines available online	Nov. 7, 2024
Eligibility quiz and application form available online	Jan. 13, 2025
Virtual informational session	Jan. 15, 2025
Deadline to submit application	Feb. 10, 2025
Awards announced	March 28, 2025
Grant agreement due	April 14, 2025
Grant funds disbursed	June 30, 2025
Project completion deadline	May 1, 2026
Final project report due (includes final budget and proof of spending)	June 1, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I view the application questions before I access the actual application?

Yes. We encourage you to download the application questions before you begin the application, so you can have everything ready to go. Enlisting a proof-reader to review your answers before you complete the application is also highly recommended.

Once I start the application, will I be able to save my work and return at another time?

Yes. You will create an account through our online application system. Accessing the application through a secure login will enable you to save the application and return at a later time to complete. However, once you submit your application, you cannot make changes to it. You will only be able to view your submission.

How will projects be selected for funding?

Awardees will be determined by a cross-departmental panel of Travel Portland staff members based on the criteria listed on pages 3-4 of the grant guidelines.

Can grant dollars awarded be used to hire and/or expand staff to build capacity?

No, dollars from this cycle of grant funding cannot be used to pay for staff salaries or expand staff capacity.

We were awarded a grant in a previous cycle. Are we eligible for this cycle?

Yes, you would be eligible to apply for this cycle of funding if the project for which you received a grant was completed within the timeline, and a project report has been submitted.

Can the budget include contractor or consultant fees?

Yes, it can. Please be as specific as possible in the budget to support your proposal’s narrative, clearly identifying the budgetary line items that will be covered by the Travel Portland grant award is encouraged.

Can our organization submit multiple applications?

Since a maximum of one grant project per organization per grant cycle will be awarded, we encourage organizations to submit one application for the project that best fits the guidelines.

Will Travel Portland staff be available for final draft review?

Yes, Travel Portland staff available for final draft review via phone or Zoom during normal business hours between Feb. 3 – Feb. 7, 2025.

For additional questions about eligibility criteria or the application process, contact grants@travelportland.com.

Visitor Experience Enhancement Grant Recipients

Since launching in January 2023, a total of $385,000 has been awarded to 15 projects across Portland through this grant program.

See awarded projects

Additional Funding Opportunities

Check Travel Oregon's list of additional funding opportunities.

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