Grants

Waterloo Hotel-Motel Tax Grants

Experience Waterloo offers grant monies for events and projects that will have a positive impact on the tourism industry in Waterloo, both in the short and long-term.

Grants are open September 4, 2025 thru October 5, 2025 and March 1, 2026 thru March 31, 2026. Mini grants are open year round.

Grants are available to organizations whose events are held in Waterloo, regardless of where the organization itself is based.

Applications can be used for three kinds of proposals or projects:

  • Visitor Events (draw greater than 50% of attendance from outside Black Hawk County)
  • Community Events (draw less than 50% of attendance from outside Black Hawk County)
  • Capital Projects

The grants have been established to:

  • Drive overnight stays in Waterloo
  • Support active partners who serve and drive visitors to Waterloo
  • Support organizations and activities that have a positive impact on Waterloo
  • Provide seed money for new or innovative ideas/projects
  • Provide assistance in marketing outside of Black Hawk County

Grant funds may support:

  • Marketing and advertising
  • Capital improvements
  • Honorariums and entertainment
  • Prize funds
  • Basic facility rental costs
  • Event-related safety and security
  • Transportation
  • Other similar projects that help promote visitation to Waterloo
  • Questions about the grant application process may be directed to Quez Ketton.