Announcing the Willamette Valley Strategic Investment Fund

The Willamette Valley Visitors Association (WVVA) is excited to announce the Willamette Valley Strategic Investment Fund. The all-new program will award funding to organizations working to bolster the visitor experience throughout the Willamette Valley.

Keep reading for more about the new fund—along with information on what projects are eligible, who can apply, deadlines, and other relevant information.

The total strategic investment available this year (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025): $85,743

• Projects can be applied for within the range of $5,000 - $50,000
• Sponsorships for multi-day sports/events can be applied within the range of $1,000 - $3,000

Funds are available on a rolling basis until the fund is expended.

Allocated amounts are at the discretion of the Willamette Valley Visitors Association. If additional funding becomes available it will be announced here and on our industry channels. 

The annual Strategic Investment Fund will focus on direct investment with partners within the Willamette Valley to fuel community-driven work. For the 2024-25 fiscal year, WVVA would like to focus on work in the following niches:

Marketing:

• Familiarization trip hosting for social media influencers and travel-focused media creators

• Creation of promotional materials and promotional marketing for the shoulder and off-season, new niches or secondary visitor experiences and emerging markets

Destination Development:

• Workforce development funds to help support development in customer service, accessibility, diversity, equity and inclusion trainings

• Trail stewardship investments—including but not limited to signage, accessibility improvements, and volunteer skill development

Sports/Meeting/Event Tourism:

• Bid fees to support the booking of new or expanded multi-day sports and meeting tourism events

• Funds to support implementation of accessibility improvements to upgrade venues—including (but not limited to) hearing loops, multi-lingual signage, and ADA improvements

• Multi-day sporting and meeting event execution sponsorships can be applied for ranging from $1,000-3,000

Note that funds cannot be used for fundraising campaigns or app development.

The application timeline is as follows:

• Application window opens: March 5, 2025

• Application window closes: June 15, 2025—or when total funds are expended, whichever comes first

• Spending timeline: Allocated funds must be spent and project(s) accomplished by December 31, 2025.

Here are the steps to apply:

Step 1: Start by reviewing the Strategic Investment Fund guidelines for complete details and relevant information.

Step 2: Complete the project pitch form to help us understand the scope of the proposed project and how the Strategic Investment dollars will be spent. As part of the application, a grant budget is required—except for sponsorship projects. Applicants can submit their own budget or use WVVA’s budget template.

Step 3: WVVA will review the pitch, and a collaborative meeting with the applicant might be requested. Upon submission, the applicant should expect to hear from WVVA within three weeks.

Step 4: If approved and selected to move forward, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) will be created for the project with reporting and budget tracking requirements. 

Budget Tracking requirements include:

• Marketing and development will receive 90% of funds upon signing the the MOU

• Submission of a short final report (via google form), budget and receipts will be required for last 10% of funds

• Event Bid fees will be earmarked and awarded upon a successful event bid.

• The funding schedule will be discussed in the MOU process.

• Receipts will need to be collected and submitted a final project budget of actual spend

Questions: Email all questions to WVVA Executive Director Tori Middelstadt at tori@willamettevalley.org.