Fiscal year 2026-2027 Culture and Tourism Grant applications will become available online October 10, 2025, and close November 17, 2025.

Details: Grants for Promotion of Culture and Tourism

The Salem Cultural and Tourism Promotion Advisory Board advises the City Council on matters pertaining to the use of the transient occupancy tax, cultural activities, and convention and tourism business in Salem. The Salem Cultural and Tourism Promotion Advisory Board encourages development of a unified approach to promoting Salem; recommending an annual budget to implement such activities; and reviewing and making recommendations on the performance of contractors funded by the transient occupancy tax.

The board advises the City Council on programs and issues affecting the promotion of Salem, particularly in the area of cultural amenities and tourism. The board’s functions shall include advice and/or recommendations on:

• Allocation of the transient occupancy tax (TOT)
• Request for proposals for services necessary for the development and promotion of conventions and tourism
• Coordination of activities with other public and private organizations including all TOT recipients involved in the promotion and/or the enhancement of the quality of life in Salem
• Review and comment on all quarterly/mid-year/annual reports filed with the City by TOT recipients
• Conduct other related functions deemed as necessary or beneficial to promote convention and tourism business in Salem

The Salem Cultural and Tourism Promotion Advisory Board meets at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Agendas and meeting packet materials are available no later than 6 p.m. on the Monday prior to the Thursday meeting.

Authority: SRC Chapter 16
Number of members: 9
Type of appointment: Mayoral recommendation with City Council approval
Length of term: 3 years

Agendas and minutes

Special membership requirements

• The members shall be residents of or have their places of business in the City of Salem
• One member shall be a representative of the for-profit tourism industry

Rules and bylaws

• Cultural and Tourism Promotion Advisory Board rules
• City Council Policy C-1: Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) funding policy
• Salem City Charter Chapter 9, Section 56
• SRC 37 Transient Occupancy Tax
• SRC 16 Cultural Tourism Promotion Advisory Board

Grant reporting forms

Grant recipients must complete the appropriate reporting form at the end of the grant year.

• TOT Grant Annual Reporting Form - Facility Operators
• TOT Grant Quarterly Report Form - Facility Operators
• TOT Grant Reporting Form - CIP
• TOT Grant Reporting Form - Events
• TOT Grant - Event Budget Sheet

Board members