How much funding does EDA Destination Planning and Development Grants provide?

Funding amounts vary. Check the grant details for specifics.

When is the deadline for EDA Destination Planning and Development Grants?

This grant has a rolling deadline or the deadline has not been announced.

EDA Destination Planning and Development Grants

Washington Tourism Alliance

Foundation Annual Travel & Tourism Grants Community Development Grants Grants for Nonprofits Grants for BIPOC

Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

EDA Destination Planning and Development Grants

Funder: Washington State Department of Commerce (administered by State of Washington Tourism)

Total Program Funding: $3.5 million over 2 years

Geographic Scope: Washington State

Program Type: Competitive, needs-based grant program for tourism industry pandemic recovery

Program Overview:
Economic Development Administration (EDA) block grant funds administered to assist tourism industry pandemic recovery. Grants support destination planning and development across Washington's tourism sector.

Eligible Applicants:

Local, city, county, and tribal governments

Destination marketing organizations (DMOs)

Nonprofit organizations involved with travel and tourism

Rural communities

Indigenous communities

Focus Areas:

Research and data collection

Marketing production

Arts and culture initiatives

Sporting event incentives

Technical assistance for tourism-related projects

Rural Tourism Support program

Marketing production for Indigenous communities

Capacity building

Economic resilience projects

Small business support

Attraction creation and development

Shovel-ready project development

Award Characteristics:

Competitive, needs-based selection

Emphasis on underserved and rural communities

Focus on pandemic recovery and industry resilience

Support for tribal organizations prioritized

Selection Criteria:

State of Washington Tourism (SWT) selected based on:

- Commitment to state tourism industry recovery and development
- Demonstrated Rural Tourism Support program
- Previous technical assistance and sustainable tourism grant administration
- Year-round industry education
- Previous grant administration contracts with Department of Commerce

Administration:

SWT responsible for grant promotion and education

Tracking and reporting of awards

Emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion in tourism projects

Outreach plan includes webinars, emails, and in-person presentations

Updates: Potential applicants can receive updates through SWT's industry newsletter

Contact: State of Washington Tourism

Website: industry.stateofwatourism.com

How to Apply

Application Process

1. Stay informed:
- Subscribe to State of Washington Tourism industry newsletter for updates
- Monitor SWT website for official launch and application opening

2. Attend outreach events:
- SWT hosting webinars for interested applicants
- In-person presentations available
- Email-based information distribution

3. Application requirements (details to be released):
- Application will specify project objectives
- Documentation of needs assessment
- Detailed budget and timeline
- Alignment with program focus areas
- Demonstration of capacity to implement
- For underserved/rural applicants: documentation of tourism dependence and economic need

4. Evaluation:
- Competitive, needs-based review
- Priority given to:
- Rural and underserved communities
- Tribal organizations
- Communities most impacted by pandemic
- Projects advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in tourism

5. Submission:
- Details to be announced in SWT outreach
- Likely online portal or email submission

Apply with Grantable Learn more

What Washington Tourism Alliance actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2024

Grants in 2024: 67
Total given: $1.81M
Median grant: $20K
Range: $7,500–$82K

By dollars: Washington 100%. Top recipient cities: Bellingham, WA; Seattle, WA; Port Angeles, WA.
0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

Example grants

Visit Issaquah · Issaquah, WA

Shoulder season video and photography initiative, paragliding festival professional…

$82K
Washington Filmworks · Seattle, WA

Creating collateral for tourism and film and outreach to tribal communities to develop…

$75K
Economic Alliance of Lewis County · Chehalis, WA

Rural tourism research & data and tourism regeneration

$65K
Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce · Ellensburg, WA

Arts & culture, rtmp, and rural tourism research & data

$61K
Visit Tri Cities · Kennewick, WA

Sports incentivization grant

$60K