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INDUSTRY

FUTURE FUND

As the Regional Destination Management Organization (RDMO), Visit Central Oregon (VCO) understands the importance of protecting and enhancing the region for future generations. Visit Central Oregon will reopen the annual grant program known as the Central Oregon Future Fund on Monday, January 8, 2024. In fiscal year 2023-24, VCO will award $450,000 generated from TRT (Transient Room Tax) collected by both Deschutes County and Travel Oregon.

2024 Central Oregon Future Fund Projects

Rendering of pavilion gathering space with soda machines.

Antelope 3, LLC – Antelope Pavilion

$50,000
This project will provide a safe and inclusive “stopping place” for travelers looking to use restrooms, refill on water, and/or relax. It will also serve to kickstart the local economy by providing a multi-use outdoor event space.

Kids climbing on rock climbing wall with colorful mounts.

Bend Endurance Academy – Enhancement and Accessibility Project

$13,200
Event outreach and adaptive climbing enhancements that aim to increase capacity and successfully draw climbing competitions, camps, and clinics during non-peak seasons.

painting of night sky behind mountain peak.

DarkSky Oregon – Beautiful Oregon Night Skies Educational Outreach

$24,500

This project seeks to halt and reverse the disappearance of our starry night skies in Central Oregon through educational outreach with creative public service announcements that encourage voluntary change of outdoor lighting.

Wagon wheel and grain outlines next to text of High Desert Moonfest.

Explore Prineville – High Desert Moonfest

$28,725
This festival celebrates an end to the farming season that has historically driven the Crook County economy since its founding.

Orange kangaroo in front of the sun above text describing Gramma Roses Kangaroos and Zoo.

Gramma Roses – Accessibility Project

$20,000
This project provides accessibility enhancements to increase the total interior square footage available to utilize for the petting zoo and visitors with disabilities.

Woman sitting on the ground painting antelope on the canvas of a teepee.

Kah-Nee-Ta Resort – Artwork Design Project

$22,431
This project will enhance the cultural experience of the Resort by partnering with a local artist for authentic artwork designed and painted on the exterior of its 20 new teepees.

Two women in pink and blue tops riding horses in front of the Three Sisters mountain peaks.

Oregon Equestrian Trails – Cline Buttes Trail Signs

$28,510
This project will provide signage at over 50 square miles of BLM land between Bend, Redmond, and Sisters.

Various designs of native beadwork jewelry laid out on circular backdrop.

So. Wasco Alliance – Simnasho Tribal Market Project

$42,064
The Market will create opportunities for tribal members and travelers to meet each other, and be a welcoming space that is rich in cultural experience for all ages.

 

Small, square wooden observatory building in front of orange rocks at Smith Rock.

Asterisk Astronomy – Astronomy Education

$16,155
This project will enhance the visitor experience at Asterisk Observatory, an astrotourism site hosted at The Spot at Smith Rock, which provides astronomy outreach and education.

Bike handlebars overlooking cliffs of Cline Butte with sunset in sky.

Central Oregon Trail Alliance – Cline Butte Mountain Bike Trail Enhancement

$45,900
The project will build 2.5 miles of well-designed and sustainable new trail at Cline Butte, mitigating the impact for years to come. The trail system is already popular with residents and travelers due to its proximity to resort destinations and the communities of Tumalo, Redmond, Bend, and Sisters.

Accessible ramp on pond with bright green foliage nearby.

Ensoterra – Improving Adaptive Water Sports and Accessibility in Central Oregon

$21,865
Marketing and outreach strategies of Ensoterra’s programs for improving accessibility and knowledge for anyone with a disability to enjoy the best fishing, kayaking, and standup-paddle boarding locations throughout Central Oregon.

Colorful paint splatters behind text of Juneteenth Jubilee Central Oregon with image of man dancing in vibrant clothing.

The Father’s Group – Juneteenth Jubilee

$14,000
This event invests in the local economy and celebrates the diaspora of African, Caribbean, and Black American culture.

Replica of sasquatch in tan pants with museum spectators admiring its splendor, set against an exhibit of strings that form to make a visual of a sunset.

High Desert Museum – Diverse Stories Exhibition Series

$50,000
The High Desert Museum will produce a series of new, innovative exhibitions and programs focused on diverse stories and cultures that bolsters cultural tourism.

Three individuals sitting in adaptive wheelchairs sitting next to a river, looking upwards to view rock formations at Smith Rock.

Onward Project – AdvenChair AdvenTours

$44,650
The Onward Project and Wanderlust Tours will provide AdvenChair AdvenTours, a series of guided trips in natural areas of Central Oregon, designed for people with disabilities.

Three individuals painting line art in black paint on white butcher paper.

ScaleHouse – Accessible Bend Design Conference Project

$28,000
This conference will expand the Design Humanity project in October 2024, and includes investment in leaders, speakers, and artists from Warm Springs to attend and be included in the artistic program.

About the Future Fund

The Central Oregon Future Fund is a newly established annual grant program managed by Visit Central Oregon. The purpose of this program is to reinvest TRT (Transient Room Tax) dollars generated from overnight visitors back into the region to create positive revitalization for visitors and residents alike.

Fund Goals

  • Invest in projects that create, protect, or preserve a tourism asset
  • Create positive and long-term impact for both residents and visitors
  • Support projects that have broad community support

Fund Pillars

Projects that fall under the three main pillars will be taken under consideration and are encouraged to apply.

Sustainability

Projects that mitigate or improve the impacts of tourism.

a lake with trees surrounding

Cultural Tourism

Projects that enhance the region’s economy through cultural tourism with a focus on non-peak seasons and bolstering regional rural communities.

a gal weaving a basket

Access Adventure

Projects that enhance or improve accessibility and inclusion for visitors and the community.

a wheelchair bike for the trails

Grant Timeline

Details Date
Project Development Webinar with Rural Prosperity Partners
Watch webinar here.
November 29, 2023 - 11:30 am
Future Fund Informational webinar Watch webinar here.
Webinar FAQs (English/Spanish)
December 5, 2023 - 12 pm
Online application open January 8, 2024
Future Fund Informational webinar Watch webinar here. January 10, 2024 - 2 pm
Online application period closes February 16, 2024
Grant application status notification April 8, 2024
Grant award contract sent to grantees April 22, 2024
Grant award contract due back to VCO April 26, 2024
Initial funds released May 1, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM ELIGIBLE OR IF MY ORGANIZATION IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE FUTURE FUND GRANT?

For competitive grants, you can check the “Eligibility” section of the Request for Applications (RFA). Eligible entities include non-profit entities, private businesses, federally recognized tribal entities, and cities and municipalities.

HOW DO I CREATE AN ACCOUNT WITH THE ONLINE GRANT SYSTEM?

Navigate to the login page at [URL available by January 8, 2024], and click “Create New Account” to register and create an applicant profile. Once you have registered, be sure to keep your login information in a secure place for your records.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR ORGANIZATIONS

In the first registration section, labeled Applicant Information, provide your organization’s information (name, address, phone, etc.), not your personal information. In the next registration section, labeled User Information, provide your work contact information (business address, email, etc.), not your home or personal information.

WHAT IS MY USERNAME?

Your email address becomes your username, so each user account must have a unique email address.

CAN I LOOK AT THE APPLICATION BEFORE I START?

Starting January 8, 2024, the grant portal will be open. First, you need to create an account. Then you will be able to preview the application before you start.

  1. Visit the “Apply” page (it will open in a new browser tab or window) to see available application.
  2. When you’ve found the grant opportunity, click the “Preview” button. While you are previewing the application, you can also click the “Question List” button in the upper right to generate a blank application in PDF format. If you have difficulty previewing an application, please contact grants@visitcentraloregon.com.
DO I HAVE TO COMPLETE MY APPLICATION ALL AT ONCE?

No. At the bottom of the online application, there is a “Save as Draft” button. We recommend you save your application often and before logging out. You can log in at a later time to continue working on your application. We recommend that you cut and paste your application answers after each question into a Word document to save as a backup.

ARE THERE CHARACTER LIMITS TO THE APPLICATION QUESTIONS?

There are limits on the amount of text you can submit. You will see a character counter displayed below the entry field. This will actively tell you how many characters you have entered and will let you know when you are approaching the limit. You will not be able to save a draft of your application if you exceed the character limit. A page is a little over 3,000 characters. You are not required to reach the character limit!

HOW DO I CONTINUE AN APPLICATION THAT I’VE ALREADY STARTED?

If you have already begun the application process, you will find your draft application on your Applicant Dashboard (the first page after you log on, or click the “Home” icon at the top left of the screen).

  • Find your in-progress application, and click the “Edit Application” link to the right.
  • DO NOT click “Apply;” that will start a new application, instead of taking you to your application in progress.
WHAT TIME DO I NEED TO SUBMIT MY APPLICATION BY?

All applications and required supporting documents must be submitted by 5:00 pm (Pacific Standard Time) on February 16, 2024. You will not be able to submit your application after that.

WHAT FILE FORMATS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ATTACHMENTS?

We prefer that you attach files in a PDF format (.pdf). We will also accept files in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or Excel (.xls or .xlsx). Unacceptable formats include files with “exe,” “com,” “vbs,” and “bat”extensions.

I DO NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS IN ELECTRONIC FORM? CAN I MAKE OTHER ARRANGEMENTS TO DELIVER THEM TO YOU?

No. The online system will not allow you to submit your application unless you attach the required materials. If you do not have the documents filed electronically, you can scan the information into a PDF file. If you do not have a scanner at your organization, you can scan your documents at a copy shop or a public library.

Download your converted documents to your computer and save them. Upload the documents to the appropriate questions on the online form.

WHAT PROOF OF FEDERAL TAX ID DO I NEED TO UPLOAD IF I AM A PRIVATE BUSINESS?

For-profit entities must show proof of EIN. The document needed to show Proof of Federal Tax ID in the grant application is the EIN Confirmation Letter from the IRS. If this number is lost or misplaced, you can contact the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933.

ARE MATCHING FUNDS REQUIRED?

No, there is no cost-share or match requirement for this grant. However, priority points will be awarded for cash-match funding of at least 10% of the total request. In order to receive these points, the applicant must submit a letter of support documenting the match. This letter should include the source of the match, the amount, and dates of availability.

WHAT ARE PRIORITY POINTS?

Applications that include projects taking place in non-peak season (the timeframe between October 1 until the Friday prior to Memorial Day weekend, excluding the week between Christmas and New Year holidays), projects that demonstrate impact in more than one jurisdiction, or projects that include cash-match funding of at least 10% of the total request will receive priority points.

WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE GRANT?

We encourage applicants to submit projects between approximately $20,000 to $50,000. Projects below these amounts will be considered through another funding mechanism and may be submitted online at this link: https://visitcentraloregon.com/partnerships-and-sponsorships/ .

WHEN DOES THE PROJECT PERIOD BEGIN?

The grant period is 12 months. The project period begins on May 1, 2024.

CONTACT:  grants@visitcentraloregon.com

Administered by Rural Prosperity Partners