Foundation Grant Award
Explore Tualatin Valley’s Foundation Award is a competitive award program, and prioritizes projects that will generate overnight visitation to Washington County, Oregon, and will serve as a platform for cultural and economic growth.
The Foundation Grant Award may support up to $20,000 (up to $75,000 per fiscal year) of funding. Eligible projects include any project that will generate overnight visitation to Washington County. All projects must be compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Consideration for the Foundation Grant Award strategic investment is given to activities that may include (but are not limited to):
- Small capital projects
- Development of bookable guided and/or hands-on experiences
- Culinary Tourism
- Public Art
- Historic Preservation Projects
- Indigenous and Cultural Heritage Projects
- Recreation and Trail projects
- Beautification, Wayfinding, and Signage
Organizations that have an inspirational project that will collaboratively propel Explore Tualatin Valley forward in our efforts to promote the destination to overnight visitors and enhance the quality of life of our residents are encouraged to apply.
Deadlines and Cycle:
- Cycle Open: July 21 – September 30, 2026
- Applications due by: September 30, 2026. No applications will be accepted after this date.
- Grants will be awarded by: December 15, 2026.
Eligible organizations must be located in Washington County, Oregon, and includes: Non-profit 501(c) organizations and confederated tribes who are rooted in — and connected to — Tualatin Valley.
FAQ's
CAN I PREVIEW THE APPLICATION QUESTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT THE OFFICIAL APPLICATION
Yes. We encourage you to download the application questions before filling out the application.
WHERE CAN I ACCESS THE APPLICATION AND WHAT ARE THE METHODS OF SUBMISSION
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@tualatinvalley.org. If you need a paper copy of the application, please email engage@tualatinvalley.org.
If our organization received a strategic investment grant award in a past cycle, does that make us eligible for the current cycle?
Yes. If your organization has previously been awarded a tourism award by ETV, it will be considered for foundation grant funding if all previously awarded funds complied with agreement requirements and procedures.
CAN OUR ORGANIZATION SUBMIT MORE THAN ONE APPLICATION IN THIS CYCLE
ARE THERE RESTRICTIONS TO WHAT THE STRATEGIC INVESTMENT GRANT AWARDS CAN SUPPORT?
Yes. Some of these restrictions include, (but are not limited to): Administrative or membership fees, regular 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.) Projects focused solely on marketing asset development or promotions will not be considered.
DOES EXPLORE TUALATIN VALLEY REQUIRE RECOGNITION FOR FUNDS AWARDED?
Yes. ETV requires recognition in the promotion of projects recognizing the financial contribution and support provided by ETV. Where possible, credit should say: “This project is funded in part using strategic investment grant funds from Explore Tualatin Valley,” and will include the Explore Tualatin Valley logo, provided by ETV.
ARE THERE LEGAL COMPLIANCE GUIDELINES THAT I NEED TO BE AWARE OF?
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 grant moneys and the activities financed with the Strategic Investment grant 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.
Are government agencies eligible to apply for the Foundation Award?
No. The program is intended to support eligible nonprofit and community-based organizations leading tourism-related destination development projects.