Grant Opportunities - Oregon Coast Visitors Association

2025-2026 OCVA Strategic Investment Fund

The Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) is an annual program created to strategically and thoughtfully support shovel-ready destination development opportunities along the Oregon Coast.

For the 2025–2026 funding cycle, the SI-Fund will support two focus areas:

Tribal Tourism Opportunities (by invitation only)
- Funding for Tribal Tourism opportunities will be managed through a direct invitation process.
- Eligible projects may include: Tribal tourism comprehensive planning, interpretive signage, exhibits, cultural events, or other initiatives led by or in collaboration with Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians; the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians; the Coquille Indian Tribe; The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
- Invitations will be extended directly to Tribes or partners identified by the Oregon Coast Visitors Association.
Public Art (open application process)
- Public art is any creative work located in a public space, accessible to everyone, and approved by local entities like a city or county government. It includes a wide variety of permanent works, such as sculptures, murals, and even functional art like artistic benches, intended to be a form of community expression that enhances the environment and promotes tourism.
- Applications open July 1, 2025 and close on a rolling basis until May 30, 2026 or until funds are fully allocated (whichever comes first).
- Eligible projects may include: murals, sculptures, interpretive art connected to local flora/fauna, outdoor recreation–themed works, cultural heritage exhibits, or community-centered art events.

Please review the OCVA Strategic Investment Fund guidelines here. To submit a public art project for funding, click here.

External Grant Opportunities

The Oregon Coast Visitors Association has compiled these opportunities from our partners into a selective list of funding that aligns with our work in the tourism sector. We do not manage these opportunities and highly encourage you to contact the organizations directly with any questions. If you know information about a grant opportunity that should be listed here, please contact industry@thepeoplescoast.com.

Travel Oregon Competitive Grants
Travel Oregon
Ten percent of Travel Oregon’s budget is dedicated to a competitive grants program to support eligible applicants for projects that contribute to the development and improvement of local economies and communities throughout Oregon by means of the enhancement, expansion and promotion of the visitor industry.Projects should support Travel Oregon’s vision of “an Oregon that is a welcoming destination where tourism drives economic prosperity, benefits the natural environment and celebrates rich, diverse cultures.”
Tillamook Coast Marketing and Facilities Grants
Tillamook Coast Visitors Association
Tourism-related facilities grants and tourism marketing grants funded by TCVA. Applications open October 1-December 1 2024.
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP)
Oregon State Parks
Grant funds projects with RTP funds to develop, improve, or expand motorized and non-motorized trails and their facilities.
Community Grants
Oregon Community Foundation
Nonprofit and community leaders throughout Oregon can apply for new flexible grants that provide important operational support. The funding is flexible, allowing organizations to direct it to where it is needed most.
Regional Food System Partnerships
USDA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) works to improve domestic and international opportunities for U.S. growers and producers, through many program ears including regional food systems and partnerships.
Capacity and Community Building Grants
Land Trust Alliance, Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts and the Oregon Community Foundation
This program aims to increase the ability of land trusts to protect and steward the lands and waters essential to Oregon’s people, fish and wildlife.
JAMF Community Grants
The Judith Ann Mogan Foundation
Funding for community development projects in Coastal Douglas, Coos, or Curry Counties.
Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program
American Trails
Funds projects that connect active transportation networks, accelerating plans to create safe walking and biking routes to everyday destinations, and to fill gaps between communities.
Resilience Hubs and Networks Grant
Oregon Department of Human Services
Funding supports improvements to places where people come together and find resources during an emergency.
Innovative Mobility Program
ODOT
Aims to improve historically underserved communities’ access to public and active transportation. Program goals also include reducing the number of trips Oregonians make by car and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Community Charging Rebates Program
ODOT
Rebates cover up to $8,000 per Level 2 charging port, or up to 80% of eligible project costs – whichever is less.
Main Street America T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program
American Express
Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant
Community Heart & Soul
Seed funds to establish the CHS community engagement model in your district.
Arts and Culture Grant
Pacific Power Foundation
New grant funding to help organizations foster creative expression and enrich local culture in their communities.
Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program
US Department of Agriculture
This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.
Inclusive Micro Grant
Together Outdoors
Funding opportunity for small and rural grassroots organizations that aim to create a more inclusive and welcoming outdoor recreation environment.
Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Technical Assistance
National Park Service
Assists communities and public land managers in evolving climate resiliency strategies, conservation areas, and creating recreation opportunities.
RAISE Grants
U.S. Department of Transportation
Transportation projects nationwide with focus on cycling and trails.
Oregon Community Paths Program
Oregon Department of Transportation
Funding aimed at helping communities create and maintain connections through multiuse paths.
Coquille Tribe Community Fund
Coquille Tribe
Awards up to $500,000 for health, arts and culture, education, environmental, public safety, and historic preservation projects. Applications are open in the fall of each year.
Community Impact Grants
United Way of Southwestern Oregon
Multiple community grant opportunities for Coos and Curry County
Annual Tourism Grant Program
Visit Seaside
Supports and coordinates event development to ensure that Seaside can meet or exceed visitor expectations as a tourism destination.
Rural Energy for America Program
USDA
The Rural Energy for America Program offers grants for up to 40% and loan guarantees up to 75% of total project cost for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Varying deadlines.
Grants for Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities Work
The Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD)
The Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities program aims to reduce climate pollution, provide more transportation and housing choices, and promote more equitable land use planning outcomes.
Oregon Community Foundation’s Community Grants Program
Oregon Community Foundation
Provides funding to organizations that are small and rural, culturally specific or culturally responsive.
Gold Beach Community Fund
Oregon Community Foundation
Financial support for projects, activities and services with an aim of enhancing Central Curry County for citizens and visitors.
Local Government Grant Program
Oregon Parks & Recreation Department
The Local Government Grant Program (LGGP) is a voter approved, State lottery funded grant program administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Typically, the program awards over $5 million annually to qualified projects.
Boating Facility and Waterway Access Grant
Oregon Marine Board
Boating Facility and Waterway Access Grant Application
Arts Build Communities Grants
Oregon Arts Commission
The Arts Build Communities program provides matching support to arts and other community-based organizations for projects that address a local community problem, issue or need through an arts-based solution.
Oregon Heritage Grants (multiple opportunities)
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
See website for latest information
OPRD Land and Water Conservation Fund
Grants are available to either acquire land for public outdoor recreation or to develop basic outdoor recreation facilities.
Recreation Grants (multiple opportunities)
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund
The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon
Charitable grants are awarded to charitable organizations and local governments within the Siletz Tribe’s service area (Lincoln, Tillamook, Linn, Lane, Benton, Polk, Yamhill, Marion, Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties) and to Native American organizations or activities located anywhere in the United States for the following purposes: education, health, public safety, gambling addiction, prevention, drug and alcohol treatment, housing, the arts, the environment and natural resource preservation, cultural activities, historic preservation, and other charitable purposes.
Small Grants and Open Call for Applications
Roundhouse Foundation
Grants for projects that support rural communities in Oregon. The foundation’s grant-making focuses on four areas: arts and culture, environmental stewardship, education and social services.
Small Grants and Open Call for Applications
Wiles/Ayers Family Charitable Fund
Grants from $10K to $20K to Oregon coast nonprofits that focus on environmental issues. Smaller or larger grants may be considered. Application close: contingent on the availability of funds
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance
US Department of Agriculture
Rolling Applications
Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative
Outdoor Access Initiative
Practical support for efforts that promote safe, responsible use of OHVs, educate the public on proper recreational land use and wildlife conservation practices, and protect appropriate and sustainable access to public lands. Rolling Applications, quarterly.