The City of Woodstock is seeking applications for its Hotel / Motel Use Tax Tourism Grants.
Donor Name: City of Woodstock
State: Illinois
City: Woodstock
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/21/2025
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The City of Woodstock Hotel/Motel Tax Fund was established to improve the quality of life for its residents, corporate citizens and visitors. These funds are invested back into the community through designated projects and events that will enhance visitor appeal and encourage overnight stays at Woodstock-based lodging businesses.
Funding Priorities
The City of Woodstock is interested in funding organizations that demonstrate they have planned their projects with respect to the community’s overall needs. When requesting funds, keep in mind priority is given to projects that:
- Generate overnight stays in Woodstock hotels (the source for available grant funds)
- Encourage support of Woodstock businesses, restaurants and attractions
- Attract positive coverage in local, regional and national media
- Provide the most accurate estimates possible for anticipated attendees and overnight stays
- Represent proven successful programming with a multi-year commitment
- Seek multiple sources of support rather than relying on the City of Woodstock as a single source
- Yield benefits to the community for the resources invested
- Promote cooperation among event organizers to reduce costs.
Funding Information
No entity will receive more than $4,000 per year in funding.
Eligibility Criteria
The City welcomes Hotel-Motel Tax Grant requests from state and federally recognized tax-exempt, not-for-profit organizations, and Woodstock community groups producing tourism-related events. Funding may be provided for the following activities:
- Promotion of Tourism
- Tourist-Related Activities
- Tourism-Related Municipal Projects.
Award Structure
Not-for-profit organizations located within Woodstock City limits or having events or projects that create tourism in Woodstock may qualify for an award in one of the following categories:
- Tier I Organizations – The Woodstock Opera House, Naturally McHenry County (McCVB) and Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry are established entities with a proven record of promoting tourism and/or overnight stays in the community for many years. As a result, these entities receive a baseline support on an annual basis without being required to submit annual renewal applications, unless requesting an increase in funding from the previous year. They are, however, required to submit an annual Final Report. In the event an increase in funding is requested, it will be limited to no more than a 20% increase and consideration will be entirely dependent upon available funds.
- Tier II Organizations – Additional organizations/events may apply for funding through the fund differential that remains after Tier I Organization funding has been met. Annual application and reporting requirements will be required for all Tier II organization/events. This requirement includes a streamlined application for Previously Funded Organizations (PFO). Organizations Not Previously Funded (NPFO) should complete the more detailed application provided. It should be noted that all requests, regardless of dollar amount or prior award status, must meet funding guidelines.
For more information, visit City of Woodstock.
