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Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
2024 Lodging Tax Funding Award Cycle Now in Review
The City of Bainbridge Island received 13 requests for proposals totaling approximately $755,066 for projects to receive funding under the Civic Improvement Fund, which is established through Chapter 67.28 of the Revised Code of Washington (“RCW”) and Section 3.65.040 of the Bainbridge Island Municipal Code.
In 2023, there are $400,000 in Civic Improvement funds (also known as Lodging Tax
funds) available for distribution to support selected projects in 2024. The City Council
has approved funding within a wide range, to encourage innovative projects of all sizes
that recognize and promote the exciting – and expanding – tourism trends and opportunities happening on Bainbridge Island. In general, awards will be made in amounts between $5,000 and $200,000. Applications that exceed $200,000 are allowed; these applicants may receive additional questions or requests for documentation to support the request. Awards will not be made for amounts less than $5,000 to support efficiency on the part of both the applicant organizations and City administration.
What Key Dates Do I Need to Know?
LTAC Orientation: Friday, October 6, 2023 (Recording)
Application Review: Friday, October 27, 2023 (Recording)
Proposal Presentations: Tuesday, December 5, 2023 (1-4:30 pm)
Applicants will present proposals to and answer questions from the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
Funding Recommendations: Tuesday, December 12, 2023 (1:30-3:30) pm
Notification by: early January, 2024
Purpose
The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) reviews and comments on proposals for expenditures from the City's Lodging Tax Fund, also known as the Civic Improvement Fund.
The Civic Improvement Fund, created through a state tax on overnight stays in lodging establishments (i.e.., hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts), provides funding for projects that will promote tourism and for the acquisition or operation of tourism-related facilities as specified in RCW 67.28.
Information on Role of Councilmember Liaisons.
2024 Lodging Tax Funding Cycle
| Organization | Project | Request |
|---|---|---|
| Arts and Humanities Bainbridge | Bainbridge Creative District Community Connection Initiative | 30,500 |
| Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network | BARN Creative Tourism Campaign | 30,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce | Friendly Multi-Platform Visitor Information Network | 80,116 |
| Bainbridge Island Downtown Association | Tourist Downtown Walking Map, Celebrate Bainbridge Street Dance, Holiday Promotions and Events, Shoulder Season Tourism Marketing and Public Relations | 89,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Film Festival | Bainbridge Island Film Festival Operational Support | 10,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Historical Museum | Promotional Video Production | 16,245 |
| Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association (BIJAEMA) | Capacity Building to Support Ongoing Operations of the Memorial | 10,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Museum of Art | BIMA Cultural Events and Festivals | 20,000 |
| Bloedel Reserve | Elevating Awareness of Bloedel Reserve Through Ferry System Advertising | 17,160 |
| Visit Bainbridge Island | Visit Bainbridge Island (DMO) 2024 Tourism Marketing Proposal | 215,000 |
| Visit Kitsap Peninsula | 2024 Year-Round Tourism Marketing Support for the City of Bainbridge Island | 166,500 |
| WEAVE Presents | BI Summerfest | 40,000 |
| Winery Alliance of Bainbridge Island | Kitsap County Wind & Cider Passport | 30,545 |
| Total | 755,066 |
2023 Lodging Tax Funding Cycle
At their December 13, 2022 business meeting, the City Council approved the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee's 2023 funding recommendations:
| Organization | Project | Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Arts & Humanities Bainbridge | Bainbridge Creative District 2023 Bridge Festival | 24,700 |
| Bainbridge Arts & Crafts | Off-Island Advertising & Marketing | 6,600 |
| Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce | Multi-Platform Visitor Engagement Network | 58,783 |
| Bainbridge Island Downtown Association | Tourist Downtown Walkabout Map, Celebrate BI - Street Dance, Holiday Events | 31,825 |
| Bainbridge Island Historical Museum | Comprehensive & Strategic Marketing Plan | 12,800 |
| Bainbridge Island Lodging Association | Promotions and Events, Innovative Program Development for Shoulder Season Tourism Engagement | 60,860 |
| Bainbridge Island Museum of Art | Community Cultural Programs & Festivals | 13,400 |
| Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation | Trail Maps & 2023 Trillium Trail Run | 8,500 |
| Bloedel Reserve | Increasing Off-Season Visits with Seattle Bus Advertising | 8,132 |
| Kids Discovery Museum | Fam Jam | 7,480 |
| Visit Bainbridge Island | 2023 Destination Marketing Campaign | 100,720 |
| Visit Kitsap | Maritime & Heritage Tourism Marketing Campaign | 4,000 |
| Winery Alliance of Bainbridge Island | Wine on the Rock Events | 12,200 |
Total | 350,000 |
2022 LTAC Funding
The City of Bainbridge Island awarded $350,000 for 2022.
| Organization | Project | Awarded | Annual Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts and Humanities Bainbridge | Certified Creative District | 22,500 | Link |
| Bainbridge Arts and Crafts | Off-Island Advertising Package | 10,000 | Link |
| Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce | Multi-Platform Visitor Information Network | 55,100 | Link |
| Bainbridge Island Downtown Association | Downtown Walking Map Distribution, Kiosk Maps & Online Consolidated Holiday Marketing | 20,000 | Link |
| Bainbridge Island Historical Museum | Our Community Past & Present Exhibit | 25,000 | Link |
| Bainbridge Island Lodging Association | Destination Bainbridge | 65,000 | Link |
| Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation | BIJAC Exclusion Memorial 80th Year Observance | 18,100 | Link |
| Kids Discovery Museum | Strategic Marketing Plan | 15,000 | Link |
| Visit Bainbridge Island | Destination Marketing Plan | 93,900 | Link |
| Visit Kitsap Peninsula | Tourism Marketing | 13,400 | Link |
| Winery Alliance of Bainbridge Island | Wine on the Rock Events | 12,000 | Link |
| 350,000 |
2021 LTAC Funding Recommendations
Organization | Project | Final | Awarded |
| Arts and Humanities Bainbridge | Certified Creative District | 5,000 | |
| Bainbridge Arts and Crafts | Off-Island Advertising | 7,000 | |
| Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce | Visitor Information Center | 38,000 | |
| Bainbridge Island Downtown Association | Multi-Media Destination Marketing Campaign | 12,250 | |
| Bainbridge Island Historical Museum | Operational Support Tourism Related Facility | 15,000 | |
| Bainbridge Island Lodging Association | Destination Bainbridge 2021 | 41,750 | |
| Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation | Trail Maps and STO Trail Planning | 10,000 | |
| Kids Discovery Museum | Strategic Marketing Plan | 9,000 | |
| Visit Bainbridge Island | Multi-Media Destination Marketing Campaign | 70,000 | |
| Visit Kitsap Peninsula | 12-Month Lodging & Tourism Marketing | 5,000 | |
| Winery Alliance of Bainbridge Island | Wine of the Rock (Tourism Marketing/ Special Events | Pending | 12,000 |
| Total | 225,000 |
2020 LTAC Funding Recipients
| Organization/Proposal | Project | Final Report | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts & Humanities Bainbridge | Currents Online Cultural Collaborations | Link |
10,000
|
| Bainbridge Arts & Crafts | Off-Island Advertising | Link | 5,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce | Visitor Information Center | Link | 40,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Downtown Association | Multi-Media Destination Marketing Campaign | Link | 35,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Historical Museum | 2nd Annual Pickleball Founders Tournament | Link | 12,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Lodging Association | Destination Bainbridge: 2020 | Link | 56,500 |
| Bainbridge Island Museum of Art | Cultural Impact Programs & Festivals | Link | 5,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation | Trillium Trail Family Run | Link | $6,500 |
| Bloedel Reserve | Shoulder Season Awareness Campaign: "Fish Where the Fish Are" | Link | 10,000 |
| City of Bainbridge Island | Downtown Wayfinding Signs | N/A | 12,000 |
| North Kitsap Tourism Coalition | Media Support | Link | 7,000 |
| Visit Bainbridge Island | Multi-Media Destination Marketing Campaign | Link | 50,000 |
| Visit Kitsap Peninsula | 12-Month Lodging & Tourism Marketing Campaign |
Link | 12,000 |
| Winery Alliance of Bainbridge Island |
Wine on the Rock Event |
N/A | 14,000 |
| Total |
|
275,000 |
2019 LTAC Projects
See the table below for information on projects that received 2019 LTAC funding:
| Organization/Proposal | Final Report | Requested | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts & Humanities Bainbridge | Link | $ 27,000 | $ 15,000 |
| Bainbridge Arts & Crafts | Link | $ 38,360 | $ 15,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce | Link | $ 85,483 | $ 63,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Downtown Association | Link | $ 72,885 | $ 50,000 |
| Bainbridge Island History Museum | Link | $ 21,000 | $ 12,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Lodging Association | Link | $ 69,500 | $ 60,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Museum of Art | Link | $ 20,000 | $ 10,000 |
| Bainbridge Island Winery Alliance | Link | $ 23,650 | $ 15,000 |
| North Kitsap Tourism Coalition | Link | $ 10,000 | $ 10,000 |
| Visit Kitsap Peninsula | Link | $ 18,000 | $ 12,000 |
| Total | $388,378 | $262,000 | |