Organizations that want to increase tourism and overnight stays in Federal Way can get a little financial help this spring from the City of Federal Way.

Applications for the City’s Tourism Enhancement Grant (TEG) program are due March 31.

Applicants will be invited to a committee review on April 16, and grants will be awarded by June.

TEG supports the promotion of cultural, arts, sports and community events that will occur in the Federal Way area. This is the first of two rounds of grants during 2010, with approximately $40,000 available for the entire year. There is no cap on individual grant requests. Funds will be awarded based on the following:

• Eligible organizations: Non-profit 501(c) organizations or municipal organizations of the State of Washington that plan, sponsor or host eligible events.

• Eligible events: Amateur sporting, arts/cultural events, membership meetings, trainings and conferences, or other events that will bring participants to Federal Way.

• Eligible costs: Grants can be used for securing, marketing, promoting and advertising eligible events. Grants cannot cover entry fees, travel, salaries, material items, facility upgrades, capital campaigns or operating expenses.

Organizations and events that were funded in 2009 include Federal Way Symphony concerts, Federal Way Chorale concerts, USSSA Men’s Softball championship tournament, the Federal Way Arts Commission’s sponsorship of a Writers Conference at Dumas Bay, Pacific Northwest Swimming’s sponsorship of the Junior National and U.S. Open Swimming Championship, and CenterStage Theatre’s productions of “Jack and the Beanstalk” and “Contact.”

The TEG review committee will meet the morning of April 16 in City Hall’s Hylebos Conference Room. Confirmation letters will be sent assigning time slots for the committee’s review and discussion of applications, and the City recommends that each organization send a
representative to the meeting.

Download an application by visiting www.cityoffederalway.com