2024 LTAC grants

About

Hotel/motel tax fund grants, commonly referred to as LTAC grants, are grants available for non-profits and public agencies. Grant funds support initiatives that promote tourism spending and paid overnight lodging in the City of Everett, Washington. LTAC grants are crucial in boosting tourism economies and improving visitor experiences.

LTAC grants typically fund projects that enhance tourism development, such as special events and festivals, tourism attractions, film productions, meetings, conventions, and sporting events. Grants can also fund marketing campaigns to promote tourism by attracting visitors beyond 50 miles of Everett.

New in 2024

Total funding for the 2024 City of Everett LTAC grant pool is $560,000

There's a new LTAC info guide with a lot of helpful information and tips. Give it a quick read before applying. Click here to read the 2024 City of Everett LTAC Guide.

The 2024 LTAC grant application process has transitioned to Amplifund, a software solution designed to enhance the efficiency of the application, review, and funding processes while prioritizing data security. The link to apply is below, and the LTAC Info Guide has instructions for applying.

Tyler Chism is the designated LTAC staff liaison for 2024. If you have any inquiries or questions, you can contact him at tchism@everettwa.gov.

2024 timeline:

Applicaitons open Nov. 1, 2023

Applications close Dec. 1, 2023, at 5 p.m.

Awards announced Jan 2024

Grant award performance period: Jan. 1, 2024 - Dec. 21, 2024

How to apply:

Step 1: Click here to read the 2024 Lodging Tax Info Guide How to apply:. This guide provides critical information and instructions that will help walk you through the process of applying.

Step 2: Gather the required documents.

Two letters of endorsement, one from a hotel
A current W-9
For non-profits
- Incorporation letter
- Two most recent years financials

Step 3: Visit the Amplifund website to submit your application.
Please note if this is your first time using Amplifund, you will need to create an account. For more information, see the 2024 Lodging Tax Info Guide.

Step 4: Wait. After you've submitted your grant application, someone from our team will contact you and provide a status update.

Need help or technical assistance?

The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee will next meet in late 2023 or early 2024 to discuss the applications received and make recommendations to the City Council on which projects and programs should receive funding. Stay tuned!

FAQs

Who can apply for and receive an LTAC grant?

Non-profits and public agencies may apply for a LTAC grant. For-profit event producers may apply by partnering with a non-profit or public agency. This is called a “cooperative project” where the non-profit or public agency serves as a sponsor of the event.

How long does it take to fill out the application?

We estimate that it takes about 90 minutes to read, comprehend and thoughtfully answer the questions. We strongly suggest that you read the application in its entirety before filling it out. Make note of any questions you may have and reach out to Tyler Chism tchism@everettwa.gov for answers. You’ll have a much easier time with the application if you prepare all pertinent information before putting “pen to paper.”

What is LTAC?

LTAC is an acronym for the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. The acronym gets used several ways when discussing the lodging tax grant program and is commonly used to describe the grant fund. For example, people may say, “you may want to consider applying for LTAC to help promote your event.” In this scenario, you apply to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) who oversees the grant funds distribution.

Where does the LTAC money come from?

The grant program is made possible through taxes paid by consumers when they stay in paid lodging in the city of Everett.

How do I improve my chances of receiving an LTAC grant?

The LTAC grades all applications using the same grading criteria which can be found on pages six and seven of the application. Applicants earn “bonus points” for programs and events that occur in the off-season (Sept. 1 – June 30) and generate overnight visitation where guests stay in paid accommodations.

Where can I read the RCW about lodging taxes?

Information regarding lodging taxes may be found in RCW 67.28.

What can an LTAC grant be used for?

We are putting together a user-friendly guide to eligible expenses, but for now, please see RCW 67.28.1816.

How should I track the number of overnight stays my program or event generates?

You can approach this in several ways.

If your event or program requires attendees to register or buy a ticket, you can include the following survey questions when they check out:

Are they staying in overnight paid accommodations?
Are they traveling over 50 miles and staying overnight in unpaid accommodations (with friends or family)?
Are they traveling over 50 miles and staying for the day only?

You can work with hoteliers on “special rates” for those who attend your event or program. At the end of your program or event, you can get reports from hotels that show how many times guests used your special rate.

If you’d like to take a more analog approach, you can also survey attendees during your event.

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2024 LTAC grants

About

New in 2024

2024 timeline:

How to apply:

Need help or technical assistance?

LTAC Meeting

FAQs

Contact Us

Tyler Chism

Kari Quaas

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