Large Event Festival Grant

The City of Vancouver Lodging Tax Advisory Committee administers the Large Event Festival Grant as part of its broader Lodging Tax Grant Program, which is designed to enhance the city tourism economy. This program is funded through lodging tax revenues and guided by Washington State legislation that allows municipalities to allocate such funds toward tourism marketing, special events, and tourism-related facilities. The committee works in alignment with the City of Vancouver strategic priorities and Visit Vancouver long term destination planning efforts to ensure that funded projects contribute meaningfully to economic vitality, visitor engagement, and community development. The Large Event Festival Grant specifically supports events and festivals that are capable of attracting a substantial number of visitors to Vancouver, Washington. The central purpose of this funding opportunity is to stimulate overnight stays, increase visitor spending, and position Vancouver as a desirable tourism destination. Eligible events must demonstrate the ability to draw attendees from outside the immediate area, including those traveling more than fifty miles, from other states or countries, or those requiring overnight accommodations. The program emphasizes economic impact through tourism related activity rather than purely local participation. Funding is restricted to the marketing and operational costs associated with producing events or festivals that align with tourism goals. This includes promotional activities aimed at attracting visitors, as well as logistical expenses necessary to execute the event. Capital expenditures unrelated to tourism promotion or event operations are not the focus of this specific grant category. Awards are determined based on available funding, projected economic impact, and the overall strength and alignment of the application with program priorities. Eligibility is limited to events hosted or fiscally sponsored by nonprofit organizations classified as 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) that serve the City of Vancouver. Events must be open to the public, whether free or ticketed, and must anticipate attendance of at least 2500 people. Additionally, events may not receive funding more than twice unless they demonstrate a significant expansion in scope or audience reach, defined as at least a twenty percent increase in attendance or engagement with new communities. These requirements ensure that funding supports growth oriented and impactful programming. Applications for the 2027 funding cycle will open on August 4, 2026 and close on September 20, 2026. Funds awarded through this cycle are intended for use during the 2027 calendar year. Applicants may participate in optional consultation sessions offered by Visit Vancouver to strengthen visitor related projections and align submissions with program expectations. A virtual question and answer session is also scheduled for August 19, 2026 to provide guidance and clarification to prospective applicants. Applications are evaluated based on multiple criteria including alignment with the City of Vancouver 2023 to 2029 Strategic Plan, Visit Vancouver Destination Master Plan, seasonality considerations, geographic distribution, equity and inclusion, environmental sustainability, uniqueness of the event, and anticipated economic impact. Successful applicants are expected to demonstrate clear planning, measurable tourism outcomes, and adherence to permitting requirements for events held on public or private property that affect public spaces. For additional information, applicants may contact program representatives within the City of Vancouver Economic Prosperity and Housing department. Key contacts include staff responsible for economic development analysis and program coordination. Applicants are encouraged to review all supporting documentation and guidelines to ensure compliance with reporting requirements and allowable uses of lodging tax funds. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle, offering ongoing opportunities for eligible organizations to contribute to Vancouver tourism through high impact events.

Emphasize measurable tourism impact; align with city strategic plan and destination master plan; provide strong visitor and lodging projections