Bellingham Tourism Grant Program- The Start-Up Grant

Bellingham Tourism Grant Program- The Start-Up Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: City of Bellingham
Amount: Up to US $5,000
Last Updated: July 16, 2025

Summary

The Bellingham Tourism Grant Program, specifically the Start-Up Grant, is designed to promote new tourism and cultural activities in Bellingham. It provides funding of up to $5,000 to for-profit and non-profit organizations for initiatives that draw visitors to the city. The program aims to enhance economic activity by supporting events that engage tourists, ensuring that all activities funded are open to the public.

Overview

Promoting Tourism and Cultural Activities Activities funded through this program increase 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.  This grant program has supported events such as Fire and Story (photographed at the top of this page; photo by Mataio Gillis). About the Grants This program is supported by the City’s share of a special excise tax collected on overnight stays within the city limits (lodging tax). These funds support many programs and projects, including two annual grants: the Standard Tourism Grant and the Start Up Tourism Grant. Each year, the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) – a sub-committee of the Tourism Commission – provides recommendations for how to use funds. The grants provide seed money for new events or marketing funds for ongoing events. Funding is limited to activities that draw tourists to Bellingham. Start Up Tourism Grant The Start Up Grant is for events or activities that are new, often running for less than three years. Grants in this category have less requirements than the Standard Grant and are capped at $5,000.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. 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.  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.