Explore Tualatin Valley’s (ETV) “Heart & Inspiration Awards” is an event marketing and sponsorship program. This program is available to events in Washington County, Oregon, and investments are awarded to events that will inspire awareness and overnight visitation to Washington County, Oregon, and that serve as a platform for cultural and economic growth.
Tualatin Valley Inspiration Event Award
This is a competitive award of paid sponsorships or support up to $5,000 (up to $25,000 total per application cycle). This is not an open-cycle application period.
Deadlines (see guidelines for detailed information):
- February 28, 2025
Eligible events must be open to the public and located in Washington County, Oregon, and event organizers must be a government entity located in Washington County, confederated tribes or a non-profit 501(c) organization partner who are rooted in—and connected to—Tualatin Valley.
Organizations that have an inspirational event that will collaboratively propel Explore Tualatin Valley forward in our efforts to promote the destination to visitors and enhance the quality of life of our residents are encouraged to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligible events must be in Washington County, Oregon, and are open to the public. Events that are not eligible include non-visitor events such as meetings, conventions, dinners, auctions, fund-raisers, galas, school events, classes/workshops, clinics, camps and on-going permanent events. Event support and sponsorships also will not be provided for routine operational expenses such as salaries, business operating costs, travel and mileage.
Yes. We encourage you to download the application questions before filling out the application.
You can find the application on ETV’s website. You can fill out the application online, or you can submit your completed application to engage@wcva.org. If you require a paper copy, please email engage@wcva.org.
Yes. If your organization has previously been awarded a tourism grant award by ETV, it will be considered for strategic investment grant funding if all previously awarded funds complied with agreement requirements and procedures.
Only one strategic investment grant project per organization per cycle will be awarded. We recommend that organizations submit an application for the project that aligns most closely with the guidelines.
Yes. Some of these restrictions include (but are not limited to): Administrative or membership fees, salaries, business operating costs, travel and mileage, apparel for volunteers and/or staff, non-visitor events (examples include, but are not limited to: dinners, auctions, fund-raisers, galas, school events, classes/workshops, clinics, camps, etc.).
Yes. Legal requirements/compliance/guidelines: Recipient hereby certifies that it has complied, and agrees that it shall comply, with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, executive orders and ordinances related to expenditure of the Strategic Investment moneys and the activities financed with the Strategic Investment moneys. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Recipient expressly agrees to comply with (a) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, (b) Section V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, (c) the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and ORS 659A.142, (d) all regulations and administrative rules established pursuant to the foregoing laws, and (e) all other application requirements of federal and state civil rights and rehabilitation statutes, rules and regulations.
The Foundation Strategic Investment Grant Award is designed to support underserved or under-funded projects and is not intended to be a replacement for government funding. Priority will be given to projects that lack access to existing taxing or community-funded mechanisms.