Hotel-Motel Small Fund Grant

The Snohomish County Hotel-Motel Small Fund Grant is a local funding opportunity administered by Snohomish County, Washington, designed to support tourism-related activities that increase visitation and overnight stays within the county. The program is funded through lodging taxes collected from hotel and motel room rentals, and it is overseen through a competitive application process. The grant is intended to benefit public agencies and nonprofit organizations that can demonstrate a clear connection between their proposed projects and increased tourism activity within Snohomish County. The primary purpose of the grant is to fund tourism promotion, marketing initiatives, special events, and capital or operational costs associated with tourism-related facilities. Projects must clearly demonstrate their ability to attract visitors, particularly those who will stay overnight, as this is a priority for funding decisions. Eligible project categories include tourism marketing campaigns, festivals and events designed to draw tourists, operation of tourism promotion agencies, and certain facility-related costs tied to municipal or public entities. The grant emphasizes measurable outcomes such as visitor counts and lodging nights generated. Funding is awarded on a reimbursement basis, meaning recipients must first incur and pay for eligible project expenses before submitting documentation for reimbursement. Applicants must also demonstrate the ability to complete their projects within the designated performance period, which for the 2026 cycle requires completion by December 15, 2026. Disbursements are expected to begin after contracts are executed and approvals are finalized, with an anticipated start around late January of the grant year. The program historically allocates funds ranging from smaller awards to larger project grants, depending on scope and competitiveness. Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive application package that includes a completed application form, references from lodging partners, a W9, a description of matching funds, a cooperative commitments form, and financial documentation such as a profit and loss statement. Public agencies must also provide meeting minutes demonstrating approval to apply. The application includes detailed sections requiring project summaries, timelines, scope of work, budget breakdowns, marketing strategies, and methods for measuring economic impact and success. The application process is structured to ensure that all proposed projects align with county tourism goals and strategic plans. Evaluation of applications is conducted by the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, which reviews proposals based on their potential to generate tourism activity, their alignment with strategic initiatives, and the clarity and feasibility of the proposed work. Applicants must also estimate visitor participation metrics, including total visitors, those traveling significant distances, and the number of lodging nights generated. These metrics are essential for both evaluation and post-award reporting requirements. The application process requires electronic submission and adherence to strict deadlines. For the 2026 cycle, applications were due by August 20, 2025, and no hard copy submissions were accepted. For the upcoming 2027 cycle, applications are to be submitted through an online portal, with a deadline of October 30, 2026. The grant cycle includes multiple stages, including application submission, committee review, county council approval, and applicant notification, followed by reimbursement and reporting phases extending into the following year. The grant operates on a recurring annual cycle, with multiple funding rounds possible within a year. Applicants are encouraged to plan ahead and align their project timelines with funding availability. Contacts are provided for technical assistance and program inquiries, ensuring applicants have access to guidance throughout the application process. Overall, the Snohomish County Hotel-Motel Small Fund Grant serves as a structured and outcome-driven funding opportunity aimed at strengthening the local tourism economy through targeted investments in promotional and visitor-generating initiatives.

Focus on demonstrating overnight stays and measurable tourism impact; align project with county tourism strategy; provide strong financial documentation