Sustainable Tourism Grant Program

Fall application stamp image Opens in new windowTourism is an important part of the City of Grants Pass’ economic success and as such the City of Grants Pass designates 12 percent of eligible tourism funds to the Sustainable Tourism Grant program. This program supports promotional activities that will lead to sustainable tourism by attracting tourists and increasing overnight stays. Grants that focus on increasing tourism during off-peak periods, generate economic growth from tourists coming from outside a 50-mile radius, and provide increased economic benefit for local businesses and non-profit organizations are the most competitive. This program has a spring and fall cycle dependent upon available funds. Open call for applications will begin in March and September each year. Fall Cycle 2023 opens on September 5, 2023, and closes on October 13, 2023. The grants range from a minimum of $2,500 to $5,000. No match is required for the grant.    

Some example project areas that will receive priority ranking may include:

a. Sustainable events – Events attracting people from outside the area leading to economic growth and potential to occur on a regular cycle (i.e. annually). These may include events in the areas of sport and athletics, arts and culture, food, industry-focused, conference/convention, community-focused celebration, etc.

b. Outdoor recreation - hiking, mountain biking, road biking, rafting, trail systems

c. Historically significant – museums, architecture, culturally significant sites, honoring historic industry (e.g. logging, mining, railroad, etc.)

d. Community-focused – Events unique to the Grants Pass area, highlighting local food and wares, ecology, environment, and biodiversity, connected to the community’s culture

e. Touring – guides, travel packages, agritourism

  1. Grant Application and Award Eligibility Requirements
  2. Review and Funding Process
  3. Grant Reporting

Grant applicants and corresponding grant applications must adhere to the following program requirements:


1. Grantee must be a registered business or non-profit organization


2. Grantee must be located within the City Limits or Urban Growth Boundary of the City of Grants Pass *


3. Expenses must be Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) eligible**

        a. Promotional funds focused on:

        1. Attracting people from more than 50 miles away; or

        2. Leading to overnight stays


4. Grantees must submit the application to the City prior to the deadline, which is established each year by the City’s Economic Development Division. Late applications will not be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be forwarded to the grant review committee for consideration. Materials submitted beyond those required and listed on the application cover page and application form will not be forwarded to the grant review committee as part of the application packet.


* Case by case, applicants located within a 5-mile radius of the City limits may be considered with an additional justification statement submitted with the application

** The City of Grants Pass collects a 12 percent Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) from people who stay in overnight lodging within the City limits. The Disposition of Use of these funds, in accordance with ORS 320.350 and detailed in our Municipal Code 4.05.240, are designated proportionately to city services and the tourism program. Currently, 48.33 percent of that allocation is used to support City services, including Public Safety, Parks, Economic Development, and Downtown Development. The remaining 51.67 percent goes to our Tourism Program to support tourism-related facilities and tourism promotion. The City reserves 11.67 percent of the Tourism Program funds for the City’s Tourism-Related Facilities, which include the Downtown Welcome Center, Reinhart Volunteer Park, Riverside Park, and other infrastructure. Forty percent is designated for tourism promotion and of that amount 28 percent goes to Visit Grants Pass, the contracted Destination Management Organization (DMO). The Grants Pass City Council dedicated the remaining 12 percent of tourism-eligible funds to this Sustainable Tourism annual grant program. The amount of funding dedicated to this grant program is allocated prior to the beginning of each fiscal year by the City Council. The continuation of this program is based upon availability of TLT revenue and allocations will vary from year to year. 

Application process

Fall application image Opens in new window


Click the application image at left to access the downloadable PDF and get started!

Complete applications must be submitted to the Economic Development Division by the closing deadline. Applications can be scanned and emailed to Dana Pearce, Economic Development Manager, at dpearce@grantspassoregon.gov, or a hard copy can be mailed to or dropped off at City Hall, 101 NW A Street #202, Grants Pass, OR 97526.








Contact Us

  1. Dana Pearce

    Economic Development Manager
    Ph: 541-450-6014
    Email Dana Pearce

    James Conway

    Economic Development Specialist
    Ph: 541-450-6071
    Email James Conway

    101 NW A Street
    Grants Pass, OR 97526

    Hours

    Monday - Friday
    8 a.m. - 5 p.m.