Opportunity Information
Funding Information
Award Information
Submission Information
Question Submission Information
Eligibility Information
Additional Information
Criteria
Applications that meet the threshold criteria will be presented to the review panel for evaluation and scoring based on the following criteria. A maximum of 120 points can be awarded.
- Overnight Visitors (10 points): Has the project shown it will attract overnight visitors? Are there reliable projections and a method to verify them?
- Innovation (10 points): Does the project offer a creative or unique approach, introduce a new event, or innovate within the City’s tourism program?
- Project Impact (20 points): What impact will the project have on Everett and the community? Will it reach a broad audience and attract visitors from outside the city
- Clarity (20 points): Is the project clearly defined? Does the proposal explain how the city-funded part integrates with the broader effort?
- Cost-Effectiveness (20 points): Does the project propose an efficient use of the grant funding?
- Matching Funds (10 points): A minimum 25% match is required, with higher matches earning more points.
- Marketing (10 points): How will the project be marketed, and how will the City’s involvement be recognized? How far-reaching is the marketing?
- Collaboration (5 points): Does the project show partnerships with other organizations and local businesses?
- Off-Season Development (10 points): Will the project drive tourism during the off-season (Sept. 1 – June 30)?
- Support for Underserved Communities or Small Businesses (5 points): Does the project benefit underserved or marginalized communities, micro-enterprises, or small businesses?
Review and Selection Process
When the application period closes, the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Chair or their designee will review applications for completeness and eligibility. Applications will then be evaluated by the City’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, which will make funding recommendations to the city council.
The council will make the final decision on project approval and funding levels. Staff will then consult with sponsors of approved projects to develop contracts and scopes of work. When the sponsors and mayor sign the contracts, staff will notify sponsors to proceed. It is very important that applicants are aware of the following.
All contracts are reimbursement-based, meaning the sponsor must expend funds on approved items and then seek reimbursement under terms of the governing contract.
Costs incurred for an approved project cannot be reimbursed until all contracts have been signed by all interested parties, including the city.
Please note: The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee may recommend full, partial, or no funding for each project. The review panel will independently determine the level of funding for each project based on each project’s individual merit and components.