Washington Tourism Alliance
Washington Tourism Alliance (WTA) is a Seattle-based public charity, according to its filing type. Formed in 2011, it supports statewide tourism marketing and tourism-related programs, including destination development and management, with an emphasis in its stated program description on rural and underserved communities.
Washington Tourism Alliance at a glance
In short: Washington Tourism Alliance gave $1.8M across 67 grants in 2024 (avg $27K), mostly in Washington. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,809,500
- +1522.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 67
- +737.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $27,007
- +93.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $2,781,008
- -20.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Washington (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Washington Tourism Alliance
- How to Apply
-
The website describes application processes for its grant programs, but says no grant programs will be offered in 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 16612, Seattle, WA 98116
Phone: (425) 478-5350
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Washington Tourism Alliance
EDA Destination Planning and Development Grants
Washington Tourism Alliance
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Rural Tourism Support (RTS) Program
Washington Tourism Alliance
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Tourism Regeneration Grant - Micro-Purchase
Washington Tourism Alliance
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Washington Tourism Alliance funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Visit Issaquah ($82K). Together the top 10 received $596K.
Grant Size Distribution
92 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 80 grants of 92 (87%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
WTA’s stated programs address tourism throughout Washington State. Its 2024 grant recipients were all in Washington. The organization’s program description identifies rural and underserved communities as a focus, and its Rural Tourism Support program is described as serving underserved communities and rural destinations.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 67 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $112K (2023) to $1.8M (2024). In 2024 it made 67 grants totaling $1.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Visit Issaquah Issaquah, WA | Shoulder season video and photography initiative, paragliding festival professional assessment, and destination stewardship facilitation | $82,000 |
| Washington Filmworks Seattle, WA | Creating collateral for tourism and film and outreach to tribal communities to develop reciprocal and regenerative relationships | $75,000 |
| Economic Alliance of Lewis County Chehalis, WA | Rural Tourism Research & Data and Tourism Regeneration | $65,000 |
| Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce Ellensburg, WA | Arts & culture, rtmp, and rural tourism research & data | $61,000 |
| Visit Tri Cities Kennewick, WA | Sports Incentivization Grant | $60,000 |
| Suquamish Indian Tribe Suquamish, WA | Suquamish Museum Digital Storytelling and Marketing Asset Production | $53,110 |
| City of Bingen Cook, WA | Tourism Regeneration Grant | $50,000 |
| City of Westport Westport, WA | Tourism Regeneration Grant | $50,000 |
| Make Shift Art Space Bellingham, WA | Tourism Regeneration Grant | $50,000 |
| Olympic Peninsula Visitors Bureau Port Angeles, WA | Tourism Regeneration Grant | $50,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,781,008 | $7,310,354 | $8,092,302 | $1,809,500 | 67 | $32,024 |
| 2023 | $3,474,680 | $6,808,972 | $6,890,616 | $111,524 | 8 | $258 |
| 2022 | $3,430,467 | $8,500,672 | $9,136,590 | $193,000 | 17 | — |
| 2021 | $3,846,718 | $5,068,269 | $3,673,879 | — | — | — |
| 2020 | $2,270,038 | $1,841,365 | $1,123,005 | — | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
WTA states that its sole purpose is marketing Washington to tourists. Its described activities include destination marketing, travel publicity, travel-trade development, industry support, destination development, and visitor management. Its program description says these efforts are intended to generate economic development, support tourism businesses and communities, and help manage visitation.
The organization’s 2024 grants supported Washington tourism-related projects, including rural tourism research and data, tourism regeneration, arts and culture, sports incentives, marketing and production, and Indigenous community storytelling and outreach. Recipients included destination organizations, chambers of commerce, local governments, a tribal government, and other organizations. For example, Visit Issaquah describes its mission as improving business conditions in sectors including hospitality, recreation, lodging, and activities; Visit Tri-Cities says it promotes and markets its region to visitors and conventions; and the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce says it works to make the county a better place to live, visit, and do business.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, WTA reported 67 grants totaling $1,809,500. Grants ranged from $7,500 to $82,000, with a median of $20,000. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Washington.
Among the largest reported awards were $82,000 to Visit Issaquah for a shoulder-season video and photography initiative, a paragliding festival assessment, and destination stewardship facilitation; $75,000 to Washington Filmworks for tourism and film collateral and outreach to tribal communities; and $65,000 to the Economic Alliance of Lewis County for rural tourism research, data, and tourism regeneration. Other large awards included $61,000 to the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce and $60,000 to Visit Tri-Cities. Five recipients received $50,000 each for tourism regeneration grants: the City of Bingen, City of Westport, Make.Shift Art Space, Olympic Peninsula Visitors Bureau, and Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce.
The organization’s website describes grant opportunities for eligible tourism stakeholders, with applications submitted through an online portal when a program application period is open. It also describes applicant webinars covering application procedures and evaluation criteria. The website states that SWT will not offer grant programs in 2026; the EDA-funded destination planning and development grants were described as a two-year program for 2024–2025.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Brad Jones as chair, Cliff Myers as vice chair, Julie Eisenhauer as treasurer, Elizabeth McGree as secretary, and Ron Peck as past chair. Directors listed include Bridget Baeth, Gary Ballew, Krista Bentley, Heather Bradshaw, and Troy Campbell.
Washington Tourism Alliance is led by David Blandford, Executive Director & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 4 of 24 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
David Blandford
Executive Director & CEO
Executive Director → CEO, 2022
CEO → Executive Director & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$122K (2020) → $274K (2024)
Brad Jones
Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Moe
Director of Tourism & Strat. Partership
Director of Tourism → Director of Tourism & Strat. Partnership, 2022
Director of Tourism & Strat. Partnership → Director of Tourism & Strat. Partership, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$113K (2021) → $135K (2024)
Michelle McKenzie
Director of Marketing
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$141K (2024)
Bridget Baeth
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Guy Glaeser
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Krista Bentley
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Skip Thompson
Director
Corp. Sector Representative & Director → Director at Large, 2023
Director at Large → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tommy Farris
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dipra Jha
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heather Bradshaw
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Womack
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Megan Ching
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Teresa Taylor
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Annette Pitts
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Ballew
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Troy Campbell
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katja Spitz
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rose Noble
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marianne Graff
Senior Content Manager
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$103K (2024)
Elizabeth McGree
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie Eisenhauer
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ron Peck
Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cliff Myers
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Andi Day (2020–2023) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Michelle Thana (2022–2023) — Director of Marketing
- Former: Meg Winchester (2020–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Sandy Ward (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Christina Pivarnik (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jamie Sljohn (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Mary Kay Nelson (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Michael Novakovich (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Peter Schrappen (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Shiloh Burgess (2020–2021) — Chair
- Former: Steve Warner (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Ryan Malane (2021) — Director
- Former: Dan Moore (2020) — Director
- Former: Kyla Boast (2020) — Director
- Former: Shaun Tucker (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $274K, to David Blandford (Executive Director/CEO). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Washington Tourism Alliance
How much does Washington Tourism Alliance give each year?
Washington Tourism Alliance gave $1.8M across 67 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $112K across 8 grants.
What is Washington Tourism Alliance's typical grant size?
Washington Tourism Alliance's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $27,007, across 67 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Washington Tourism Alliance give grants?
Washington Tourism Alliance gives mostly in Washington: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Bellingham, WA (6 grants), Seattle, WA (5 grants), Port Angeles, WA (3 grants) and Mount Vernon, WA (3 grants).
Does Washington Tourism Alliance give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 67 grants with a stated purpose on Washington Tourism Alliance's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Tourism Regeneration Grant" (19 grants), "Rural Tourism Marketing Program Grant" (9 grants) and "Arts & Culture Grant" (9 grants).
Who are Washington Tourism Alliance's largest grantees?
Washington Tourism Alliance's largest 2024 grantees include Visit Issaquah ($82,000), Washington Filmworks ($75,000) and Economic Alliance of Lewis County ($65,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 12% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Washington Tourism Alliance?
Washington Tourism Alliance reported $2.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.3M.
What does Washington Tourism Alliance fund?
WTA states that its sole purpose is marketing Washington to tourists. Its described activities include destination marketing, travel publicity, travel-trade development, industry support, destination development, and visitor management. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Washington Tourism Alliance?
The website describes application processes for its grant programs, but says no grant programs will be offered in 2026. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Washington Tourism Alliance's EIN?
Washington Tourism Alliance's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-0636440. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 28, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Washington Tourism Alliance funds
Community Improvement & Capacity Building Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Washington Tourism Alliance's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Washington Tourism Alliance funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/washington-tourism-alliance-morg_3886e53372d64fceb2ecf6961e2804c8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_450636440_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Washington Tourism Alliance funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/washington-tourism-alliance-morg_3886e53372d64fceb2ecf6961e2804c8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Washington Tourism Alliance'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.
Washington Tourism Alliance down — hundreds of funders to go?