The renowned Portland Art Museum is the oldest museum in the Pacific Northwest. Located in the heart of downtown’s Cultural District, the museum’s campus includes an outdoor sculpture court, permanent galleries and special exhibitions.

Visitor Experience Grants

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

Updated Nov. 11, 2025 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 Visitor Experience Grant program.

2026 Visitor Experience Grant Program

Funded through lodging taxes and fees collected from hotels and short-term rentals within Portland, these grants fund projects that directly support and enhance Portland’s attractiveness as a destination for visitors. The proposed project must have a clear connection to attracting visitors, improving their stay, or supporting the tourism industry.

The total funding available for the 2026 grant cycle is up to $200,000. Requests between $25,000 to $50,000 will be accepted. Projects must be complete by May 1, 2027.

VIEW full grant GUIDELINES

Timeline

Grant guidelines published	Nov. 6, 2025
Eligibility quiz and application form available online	Jan. 5, 2026
Virtual information session (Registration link coming soon)	Jan. 7, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
Deadline to submit application	Feb. 9, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Applicants notified of decision status	March 31, 2026
Grant agreement due	April 14, 2026
Grant funds disbursed	June 30, 2026
Project completion deadline	May 1, 2027
Final project report due (includes final budget and proof of spending)	June 1, 2027

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 scoring rubric on pages 6-11 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?

That depends. For organizations that have received funding for a project in a prior grant cycle, eligibility for additional funding is contingent upon successful completion of all prior grant agreements.
Organizations with open grant projects that are past due on reporting requirements will be considered ineligible to apply for subsequent grants.

To ensure broad distribution of grant funds, organizations are eligible to receive funding for a maximum of three consecutive years for the same or a substantially similar project. After three years, the organization must wait for at least one grant cycle before reapplying.

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.

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.

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

Visitor Experience Enhancement Grant Recipients

Since launching in January 2023, more than $700,000 has been awarded to 21 projects across Portland through this grant program.

See awarded projects

Additional Funding Opportunities

Check Travel Oregon's list of additional funding opportunities.

Was this page helpful?