The Visit Central Oregon (VCO) is excited to announce the 2026 Future Fund.
Donor Name: Visit Central Oregon (VCO)
State: Oregon
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/13/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Visit Central Oregon serves as the appointed Regional Destination Management Organization for the Central Oregon region. The Central Oregon Future Fund is a grant program managed by Visit Central Oregon. Grant funds are sourced from Visit Central Oregon’s operating budget which is generated from the Travel Oregon’s Regional Cooperative Tourism Program (RCTP).
Goals
Central Oregon Future Fund Program Goals
All grant applications should align with one or more of the following program 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.
Focus Areas
The Future Fund supports projects under the three following focus areas:
- Stewardship
- Projects that mitigate or improve the impacts of tourism.
- Cultural Tourism
- Projects that enhance the region’s economy through cultural tourism, with a focus on non-peak seasons and bolstering regional rural communities.
- Access Adventure
- Projects that enhance or improve accessibility and inclusion for visitors and community.
Funding Information
The Future Fund FY25-26 Program is funded with $300,000 in total for all projects awarded for the FY25-26 cycle, consisting of funding from the Travel Oregon RCTP program. Visit Central Oregon encourages applicants to submit projects between approximately $10,000 to $50,000. Projects above and below these amounts will also be considered.
Grant Period
The grant period is for 12 months.
Project Eligibility
To be eligible, projects must meet the criteria listed below:
- Be new or enhanced project
- Provide for the improvement or expansion of the tourism economy in Central Oregon
- Aligns with the stated program areas
- Demonstrates support from other stakeholders (2 letters of support)
- Has a detailed budget with written justification (Use of provided Budget Template required)
- Can be completed in the allotted time frame
- Demonstrates long-term sustainability of the project
- Grant projects that involve signage of any kind require approval letters from each organization or entity involved in permitting or approving signage installation. Evidence of approval must be on official letterhead and be included with any other support letters when submitting the application. Applications will not be considered unless evidence of approvals have been submitted. Historical local, state and federal compliance approval processes need to be followed. Additional documentation may be required depending on the scope of the project. Project or structure must demonstrate being a cultural, historical tourism asset in the community. If applicable, include evidence that the historic structure is part of a certified local government community, designated Main Street area, or local or National Register historic district or place.
- Funding for additional staff capacity is eligible only when used for new project followed. Additional documentation may be required depending on the scope of the project. Project or structure must demonstrate being a cultural, historical tourism asset in the community. If applicable, include evidence that the historic structure is part of a certified local government community, designated Main Street area, or local or National Register historic district or place.
- Funding for additional staff capacity is eligible only when used for new project support, and time-based for the specific project applied for, such as an event planner, marketing/creative content contractor, or an event planner. support, and time-based for the specific project applied for, such as an event planner, marketing/creative content contractor, or an event planner.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include entity types listed below that are doing business in Central Oregon, including Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook and South Wasco counties, and can demonstrate direct work in support of improving the economic impacts of Oregon’s travel and tourism industry.
- Non-profit entities
- Private businesses
- Federally recognized tribal entities
- Cities and Municipalities.
For more information, visit Central Oregon.
