Opens: June 5, 2026
Proposals due: September 4, 2026, at noon (PDT)
The City of Bellingham is seeking applications for projects that promote economic activity by bringing visitors to Bellingham. A “visitor” is defined as a person who travels from a place of residence to a different town, city, county, state, or country, for purposes of business, pleasure, recreation, education, arts, heritage, or culture.
Eligible activities may include out-of-area tourism promotion and marketing, operation of a special event or festival designed to attract visitors, operations of a tourism promotion agency, or operation of a tourism-related facility per RCW 67.28.1816.
New this year
The Annual Tourism Grant Program has new grant categories. Please review the Available Grants section below for information about each grant type, and to determine which category you should apply for. If you have any questions, please contact us at tourism@cob.org.
Information for Applicants
Each year, the City of Bellingham Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC), a subcommittee of the City of Bellingham Tourism Commission, recommends funding for projects through the Annual Tourism Grant Program. The purpose of the program is to increase economic activity in Bellingham resulting from out-of-area visitors. The source of funding for the program is Lodging Tax paid for by hotel/ motel visitors and collected within the City of Bellingham.
This is an opportunity to apply for funds to support the marketing and operations of events, activities and programming that attract visitors to Bellingham and create authentic visitor experiences.
There are three grant opportunities you can apply for:
Visitor-Generating Events Grant
Purpose
To provide funding support for ticketed events that are specifically designed to attract out-of-area visitors who travel to Bellingham to participate in the event. These events typically involve advanced ticket purchases made prior to arrival, demonstrating that attendance is a primary driver of visitation.
By drawing visitors from outside the region, funded events are expected to generate measurable economic impact through overnight stays, dining, and engagement with local businesses and experiences, while also enhancing Bellingham’s profile as a tourism destination.
Eligibility Consideration
Applicants should consider this grant category if they can demonstrate that tickets are sold in advance to out-of-area attendees, indicating that the event motivates travel to Bellingham rather than primarily serving local audiences.
Award Details
The maximum award amount per application for this grant category is $100,000 per year, with an expected average award of $40,000 per year. Awarded grantees will receive a two-year contract term, and therefore the grant will only be offered biennially. Grantees not awarded in this category may be eligible for award in the Destination Experience Grant category at the discretion of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.
Destination Experience Grant
Purpose
To provide funding support for events, activities, and programming that showcase Bellingham’s unique cultural, recreational, and environmental assets and contribute to authentic visitor experiences. These offerings enhance the overall appeal of Bellingham as a destination and enrich the experience of both visitors and residents.
Visitors may be motivated to come to Bellingham to experience the community and all it has to offer, rather than to attend a single ticketed event. While these experiences may not rely on advanced ticket purchases or easily trackable attendance data, they play a vital role in strengthening Bellingham’s identity and encouraging visitor engagement, exploration, and extended stays.
Eligibility Consideration
Applicants should consider this grant category if they offer year-round venues, ongoing programming, and/or free or low-cost events and activities. While visitor origin and attendance data may be less precise or harder to track, these experiences contribute meaningfully to the overall destination experience and visitor economy.
Award Details
The maximum award amount per application for this grant category is $35,000, with an expected average award of $20,000. Awarded grantees will receive a one-year contract term.
Small Grant
Purpose
To provide funding support for projects that attract out-of-area visitors and/or enhance the overall destination experience.
Eligibility Consideration
Applicants should consider this grant category if they are proposing a new or emerging event/ program or for any project that may enhance the tourism experience or grow Bellingham’s tourism industry.
Award Details
The maximum award amount per application for this grant category is $5,000. Awarded grantees will receive a one-year contract term.
Required Application Documents
- A completed online application (on this page below)
- Business documents: copy of 501(c)(3), (4), or (5) letter for non-profits and copy of valid business license for for-profit agencies.
- Project Budget template filled out or provide your own budget meeting requirements as outlined in the application
- Hotel Collaboration form(s) for Visitor-Generation Events and Destination Experience Grantees only
- Summary/ reports of previous tourism grant funding and outcomes (for Visitor-Generating Events and Destination Experience Grantees who have received tourism funding within the past three years)
Qualified and on-time submittals will be evaluated and ranked on the following criteria and available points.
Visitor-Generating Events Grant Evaluation Criteria
- Project Description & Budget: 0-25 points
- Community Economic Impact: 0-35 points
- Builds & Strengthens Bellingham’s Identity: 0-20 points
- Marketing & Media Plan: 0-15 points
- Leverages Bellingham’s Seasonal Strengths: 0-5 points
- Total possible score: 100 points
Destination Experience Grant Evaluation Criteria
- Project Description & Budget: 0-25 points
- Community Economic Impact: 0-20 points
- Builds & Strengthens Bellingham’s Identity: 0-35 points
- Marketing & Media Plan: 0-15 points
- Leverages Bellingham’s Seasonal Strengths: 0-5 points
- Total possible score: 100 points
Small Grant Evaluation Criteria
- Project Description & Budget: 0-20 points
- Community Economic Impact: 0-25 points
- Builds & Strengthens Bellingham’s Identity: 0-30 points
- Total possible score: 75 points
Additional information about evaluation criteria
- Project Description & Budget: Brief description of project and how it brings visitors to Bellingham. Explains the importance of the Tourism Grant to the success of the project and indicates if the support is a one-time or on-going funding request. A budget is provided that includes all estimated project costs and revenues and includes the specific tourism grant expenses.
- Community Economic Impact: Description of the expected economic benefit to the tourism sector and to the general community by increasing visitor spending for accommodations, dining/ entertainment, experiences, tours, retail and transportation. Includes methods for documenting key performance indicators. A minimum of one hotel partner is identified.
- Builds & Strengthens Bellingham’s Identity: Description of how the project showcases Bellingham’s unique cultural, recreational, and environmental assets; celebrates the diversity of Bellingham’s residents, history, and cultural influences; and elevates Bellingham as a destination of choice for leisure and group travel.
- Marketing & Media Plan: Clearly identifies strategies for reaching visitors a minimum of 50-miles outside of Bellingham and/or in Canada.
- Leverages Bellingham’s Seasonal Strengths: Description of whether the project is during off-peak seasons (e.g. fall, winter, and spring) and/or if the event capitalizes on Bellingham’s unique seasonal offerings such as winter sports, indoor cultural activities, and creative programming during the off-peak seasons.
Complete applications are due no later than September 4, 2026, at noon (PST). Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted and will be returned to the proponent.
The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) will review all applications on the fourth Tuesday in October. LTAC will then forward funding recommendations to the Bellingham City Council for final decision and budget authorization. Upon Council approval, execution of a formal contract is required before grant recipients are authorized to submit reimbursement requests.
- Application opens: June 5, 2026
- Application closes: September 4, 2026, at noon PST
- LTAC application evaluation: October 2026
- Contract executed: January 2027
Eligibility Requirements
All activities and events funded by the Tourism Promotion program must be open to the public.
This grant opportunity is available to for-profit or non-profit organizations. If awarded, you must meet requirements to do business with the City of Bellingham which include W-9 and a business license that allows you to do business in the City of Bellingham.
Washington State Lodging Tax Requirements
For purposes of this grant program, the lodging tax funding may be used for the following as outlined in RCW 67.28.1816:
- Tourism marketing;
- The marketing and operations of special events and festivals designed to attract tourists;
- Supporting the operations and capital expenditures of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by a municipality or a public facilities district; or
- Supporting the operations of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by nonprofit organizations.
A “tourist” or “visitor” is described as people traveling:
- For business or pleasure staying overnight in paid accommodations,;
- To a place 50 miles or more one way from their place of residence or business; or
- From another country or state outside of their place of residence or their business.
More information about eligible expenses for reimbursement with Lodging Tax funds is available in the Eligible Expenses & Marketing Requirements document.
Required Meeting with Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism
It is a requirement for all Visitor-Generating Events and Destination Experience Grant recipients to work with Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism (BWCT) to review your visitor-focused marketing strategy for the proposed project. A pre-contract and post-contract marketing meeting with BWCT will be required for any successful applicants.
Special Event Permits
Some grantees may be required to apply for a Special Event Permit with the City of Bellingham. For more information and to apply, visit Special Event Permit – City of Bellingham
Apply Now
Application Tip
You can fill in portions of the application, and then save your progress and complete it later: First, enter your email, and then click “Save” on the bottom right of the form at any time. A secure link will be emailed to you which will allow you to come back into the application as many times as needed to complete the application.
Application Sections
Contact Us
For questions or more information about, email tourism@cob.org or call 360-778-8300.
