Event Grant Application

Experience Waterloo, on behalf of the City of Waterloo, is accepting grant requests for event-related projects that will have a positive impact on the tourism industry in Waterloo from January 1, 2026-June 30, 2026

The hotel-motel tax grants have been established to reach the following goals:

Recognize and support events that have a significant economic impact on Waterloo. (35% of total score)
Support organizations and activities that strengthen the perception of Waterloo. (35% of total score)
Make impactful events possible with financial support from this process. (30% of total score)

Overall scores may be increased when an application demonstrates the following:

New events or events that have significant changes from prior year’s event.

** Grants meeting either of the above criteria will have scores increased by 10pts for each category **

Applications should specifically show how the event brings visitors to Waterloo, both for this event, and in the longterm. Grants aren’t intended to provide long-term or operational support but are intended to support marketing and event efforts that help advance the above goals.

FY 2026 Grants For Events January 1, 2026 thru June 30, 2026

Applications Open September 4, 2025 thru October 5, 2025

EVENT GRANT RULES fy26

Get a head start on your application

Before you begin, use this practice form to gather all the information you'll need for the official application. This will help make the online process quick and easy.
Grant Form Application Outline

Name of Event/Project

Total Request

Total Project Cost

Organization Information

Contact Information/Background Information

Name of Presenting Organization

Organizational Structure

Other

If you selected 'Other', please specify:

FEIN Number

Contact Person

First Name

Last Name

Check Payable To

Address

Street

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Contact Phone

Organization Website

Is a member of the Waterloo City Council on your Board of Directors?

How does your organization market to/reach an audience outside of Black Hawk County beyond this event/project?

Have hotel-motel tax grants been received for this project previously?

Project Information

Event/Project Success & Changes

Project Location

Project Start Date

Project End Date

Please describe the project.

Please specify how these dollars will be used.

What's New

Please explain how this project will help bring visitors to Waterloo.

How does your organization collaborate with other local organizations throughout the year?

Please Attach

Please provide supporting budget documents and sponsorship packets if available

Accepted file types: xlsx, doc, docx, Max. file size: 15 MB.

Acknowledgment and Signature

I have reviewed this Application for Grant Funds from the City of Waterloo and Waterloo Convention and Visitors Bureau. To the best of my knowledge, the information contained in this application and its attachments is accurate and complete. The Hotel-Motel Tax Grant funds are reimbursement funds for project funding already spent, and are to be used for the express purpose as stated in the Grant Application. I, the undersigned, know full and well that if this program/project does not transpire, recommendation by the Waterloo Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors for funding will be withdrawn. My organization will be responsible for refunding any portion of grant funds already received or for covering the costs for portions of the project that are non-fundable or not stated herein.

Signature

Date

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