Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso
PASO ROBLES DESTINATION, which operates as Travel Paso, is a public charity based in Paso Robles, California, and the official destination marketing organization for the region. Formed in 2017, it markets Paso Robles, supports the tourism industry, and funds local events intended to enhance visitors’ experiences and promote visitation while respecting residents’ quality of life.
Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso at a glance
In short: Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso gave $294K across 19 grants in 2025 (avg $15K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $293,867
- +9.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 19
- +11.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $15,467
- -2.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $1,187,174
- -18.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (89% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The organization accepts unsolicited requests through its Community Event Grant application process. Applicants submit the completed application and any additional requested program information; applications are reviewed by the Marketing Committee, with funding recommendations reviewed for approval by the Board.
- Review Cycle
- October 16, 2026, for events taking place in calendar year 2027.
- Deadline
- October 16, 2026, for events taking place in calendar year 2027.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 661, Paso Robles, CA 93447
Phone: (805) 864-2762
Website: https://travelpaso.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was San Jose Sharks LLC ($55K). Together the top 10 received $234K.
Grant Size Distribution
62 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 54 grants of 62 (87%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
PASO ROBLES DESTINATION is based in Paso Robles and its grant purposes include increasing tourism there. In 2025, 89% of grant dollars went to recipients in California, 9% to New York, and 3% to New Jersey, as reported in the filing.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
Cities
How Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $85K (2021) to $294K (2025). In 2025 it made 19 grants totaling $294K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose Sharks LLC San Jose, CA | Support for events that increase tourism in paso robles | $55,000 |
| Rec Foundation Paso Robles, CA | Support for events that increase tourism in paso robles | $38,250 |
| Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Paso Robles, CA | Support for events that increase tourism in paso robles | $28,142 |
| Livestar Entertainment New York, NY | Support for events that increase tourism in paso robles | $25,000 |
| California Midstate Fair Paso Robles, CA | Support for events that increase tourism in paso robles | $20,000 |
| The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County San Luis Obispo, CA | Support for events that increase tourism in paso robles | $20,000 |
| Visit Slocal San Luis Obispo, CA | Support for events that increase tourism in paso robles | $15,600 |
| Oc Restaurant Association Inc Mission Viejo, CA | Support for events that increase tourism in paso robles | $12,500 |
| Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association Ione, CA | Support for events that increase tourism in paso robles | $10,000 |
| Paso Robles Horse Park Foundation Paso Robles, CA | Support for events that increase tourism in paso robles | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 filing reports that PASO ROBLES DESTINATION contracted with Solterra Strategies, Inc. for management and public relations services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, paying $237,600 in management fees and $101,203 for public relations services. The filing states that Solterra Strategies is wholly owned by Executive Director Stacie Jacob.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,187,174 | $1,783,648 | $2,079,048 | $293,867 | 19 | $53,033 |
| 2024 | $1,457,650 | $1,832,514 | $1,986,844 | $268,685 | 17 | $46,583 |
| 2023 | $1,652,624 | $1,892,718 | $1,844,340 | $231,750 | 12 | $8,494 |
| 2022 | $1,543,123 | $1,912,318 | $1,672,875 | $203,600 | 10 | $384 |
| 2021 | $961,894 | $1,122,138 | $862,146 | $85,000 | 4 | $1,836 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is “to improve business growth opportunities for the tourism industry in Paso Robles through administration and operation of a tourism improvement district for destination marketing, sales, & media programs.”
Its filing describes paid advertising, public relations and journalist hosting, owned media, social media engagement, travel-trade outreach, and support for local special events. Its Community Event Marketing Program funds events, activities, and organizations that align with its mission to promote Paso Robles and enhance visitation. Published program priorities include collaboration, accessibility and inclusion, a variety of event themes and audiences, and sustainability that limits resident impact.
Examples of grantees’ own stated missions illustrate the kinds of organizations receiving support: the California Mid-State Fair says it preserves and enriches agricultural heritage and supports 4-H and FFA; the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association says it maintains cutting standards and attracts new participants; and Studios on the Park says it provides creative and educational experiences that build appreciation for visual arts. These are the grantees’ missions, not PASO ROBLES DESTINATION’s.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, PASO ROBLES DESTINATION reported 19 grants totaling $293,867. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $55,000, with a median of $10,000. The filing’s largest awards included $55,000 to San Jose Sharks LLC, $38,250 to REC Foundation, $28,142 to Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, and $25,000 to Livestar Entertainment. The stated purpose for these grants was support for events that increase tourism in Paso Robles.
The organization’s website describes a Community Event Marketing Program that provides grant funding and in-kind marketing support. For its 2026 program, 22 organizations were selected for in-kind support and 15 also received grant funding totaling more than $80,000. The website says applications are reviewed by a panel of Marketing Committee and Board members through a confidential, blind-review process using category-specific criteria. Separately, the filing says grant applications are reviewed and recommended to the Board for approval, and recipients must report how funds were spent and provide other data analysis.
For the 2027 program, applications are invited from events, activities, and organizations for events occurring from January through December 2027. Funding is a one-time allocation per event per calendar year; late applications are not considered. The published application criteria recommend explaining how the event will reach travelers from outside the area, its timing and potential to support midweek, shoulder-season, or multi-night stays, how overnight stays will be measured, and how the organization’s marketing channels could be used.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Alex Villicana as chair, Angela McKee as vice chair, Victor Popp as treasurer, and Kaitlin Walton as secretary. Directors listed are Jill Alexander, John Arnold, Erica Fryburger, Hemant Patel, and Rich Verruni. Stacie Jacob is listed as executive director.
Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso is led by Stacie Jacob, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; none of the 10 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Stacie Jacob
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alex Villicana
Chair
Secretary → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Arnold
Director
Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rich Verruni
Director
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jill Alexander
Director
On filings since 2023
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erica Fryburger
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hemant Patel
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Angela McKee
Vice Chair
Director → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Victor Popp
Treasurer
Director → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2021
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kaitlin Walton
Secretary
Director → Treasurer, 2024
Treasurer → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Ian Pullan (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: John Lozano (2024) — Director -
- Former: Margaret Johnson (2021–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Chance Jorgensen (2023) — Director
- Former: Bill Roof (2021–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Kathy Bonelli (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Paul Haught (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Steve Martin (2021) — Director
- Former: Tom Frutchey (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso
How much does Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso give each year?
Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso gave $294K across 19 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $269K across 17 grants.
What is Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso's typical grant size?
Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $15,467, across 19 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso give grants?
Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso gives mostly in California: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Paso Robles, CA (8 grants) and San Luis Obispo, CA (2 grants).
Does Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 19 grants with a stated purpose on Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support for Events That Increase Tourism in Paso Robles" (19 grants).
Who are Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso's largest grantees?
Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso's largest 2025 grantees include San Jose Sharks LLC ($55,000), Rec Foundation ($38,250) and Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance ($28,142), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso?
Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.8M.
What does Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso fund?
The organization’s stated mission is “to improve business growth opportunities for the tourism industry in Paso Robles through administration and operation of a tourism improvement district for destination marketing, sales, & media programs.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso?
The organization accepts unsolicited requests through its Community Event Grant application process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso's EIN?
Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-1951529. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 13, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/paso-robles-destination-dba-travel-paso-morg_dba97b8c50a045df8462d292ac83a487
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_821951529_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/paso-robles-destination-dba-travel-paso-morg_dba97b8c50a045df8462d292ac83a487},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Paso Robles Destination DBA Travel Paso's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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