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Grant Funding Opportunities
Lodging Tax Grants
Lodging tax revenues are generated by a tax imposed on overnight stays at hotels and motels within the city. Revenues are dedicated specifically to funding tourism-related events and marketing activities. Historically, the city has utilized a percentage of lodging tax proceeds to provide grants to area organizations/agencies for events and marketing operations.
2024 Application Season is Now Open
The city is seeking applications for Spokane Valley Lodging Tax funding for qualifying tourism promotion efforts in 2024. Eligible applicants are organizations and public agencies that promote tourism with the goal of improving economic activity in Spokane Valley.
View the Request for Proposal for specific information, guidelines, and instructions on how to submit a proposal for the 2024 Lodging Tax Grant funding.
To respond to the RFP and apply for funding, complete the online Lodging Tax Grant Application form. Only online submissions will be accepted. All required sections and attachments must be completed to be considered for funding. The deadline for submission is Friday, Sept. 29, 2023 no later than 4 p.m. No late submissions will be accepted.
Annually, the City Council discusses and adopts goals and priorities that it encourages the city's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) to consider when making award recommendations. Here are the Council goals for the 2024 award year. Applicants are encouraged to create proposals that are aligned with the Council’s goals and priorities.
2023 Grant Recipients
Funds awarded in 2023 included $2 million from the 1.3% portion of the tax (only available to municipalities or public facilities districts for capital projects) and $309,702 in grant awards from the 2% tax portion. See list of 2023 grant recipients
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
The recipients of these grants are determined by City Council, after receiving a list of recommended allocations for funding from the LTAC. The LTAC develops its list after reviewing a combination of submitted application materials and hearing a brief presentation made by each applicant. Grants are awarded annually. The LTAC is comprised of five members who are appointed by City Council, and by state law the committee membership must include:
- At least two representatives of businesses that are required to collect the tax
- At least two people who are involved in activities that are authorized to be funded by the tax, and
- One elected city official who serves as chairperson of LTAC
Economic Development/Social Service Grants
The Spokane Valley City Council has historically included funds in the annual budget to contract with organizations to support economic development activities and social service efforts that directly benefit the citizens of Spokane Valley.
2024 Application Program
The city invited proposals from qualified non-profit agencies for funding in its 2024 budget. The application deadline was Friday, August 11, 2023, at 4 p.m. View the Notice of Funding Availability for the 2024 Economic Development/Social Service Grant Program.
There are two categories being considered under this funding opportunity:
- Economic Development
- Social Services
For the 2024 grant funding, the City Council has allocated a total of $200,000 with $100,000 available in each category for separate consideration. Eligible applicants are non-profit organizations that have received 501(c)(3) or (6) federal tax-exempt status from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and are registered as a non-profit corporation in the State of Washington.
The deadline for submission was August 11, 2023. Only online submissions were accepted. All required sections and attachments must have been completed to be considered for funding..
Update - 8/13/23
The city is currently reviewing proposals to ensure they meet the requirements for eligibility and completion. Organizations that submitted an eligible application will be required to deliver an in-person presentation highlighting their proposal to the Spokane Valley City Council on Sept. 19, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Applicants will receive an email confirmation no later than Friday, Sept. 1, with additional instructions regarding the upcoming presentations to Council.
Past Awards
In 2022, City Council budgeted and awarded $182,000 in various grants to support programs and services in 2023. Learn more about the 2023 grant recipients.
American Rescue Plan Act funding
The city has received approximately $16 million of American Rescue Plan Act funding to address impacts from the COVID-19 Pandemic. On May 31, 2022, City Council allocated the funding to a variety of uses to help address impacts in Spokane Valley. Approved uses include:
- $630,000 for the Buckeye Avenue Sewer Extension Project, completed in 2022.
- $1 million grant to Innovia LaunchNW Foundation; an initiative to aid youth at various levels to increase the number of youth attending post-secondary education, vocational/trade education, or training.
- Approximately $960,000 for law enforcement assistance. Specific uses included purchase of two camera trailers, additional overtime emphasis patrols as part of the Regional Safe Streets Task Force, and acquisition of cameras to improve park security.
- $4 million grant to Spokane Valley Partners for acquisition of a new facility.
- Approximately $780,000 grant to the Idaho Central Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center construction project.
- Approximately $4 million in grants for affordable housing and homeless related projects, which include:
- $1 million to Family Promise for its fast-leasing and sustainable housing program
- $1.4 million to Reclaim for operations in Spokane Valley
- $500,000 to Volunteers of America for its Crosswalk 2.0 youth transitional housing project
- $470,000 to Habitat for Humanity
- $470,000 to SNAP for its Broadway Senior Affordable Housing project
City Council is continuing to work towards distributing remaining funds. Please continue to check back for potential ARPA grant funding opportunities.
Contact Us
If you need assistance for any of these programs, email Sarah Farr or call 509-720-5041.