FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2025
Contact: Katie Kadlub, Visit Hood River, 208-867-0498, katie@visithoodriver.com
VISIT HOOD RIVER SUPPORTS LOCAL INITIATIVES WITH THE RETURN OF THE 2025 COMMUNITY INVESTMENT MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM
Up to $40,000 in matching funds available; applications accepted through April 11
(HOOD RIVER, Ore.) — Visit Hood River’s 2025 Community Investment Matching Grant Program is now accepting applications. The annual program, which supports businesses and community economic vitality in the greater Hood River area, will award up to $40,000 in the current funding cycle. The grant application process will open on March 17 and will be accepted until 5 p.m. on April 11.
As stewards of community resources, Visit Hood River is dedicated to fostering economic vitality and responsible destination development in collaboration with local leaders. The program, entrusted with public and private funds, is committed to executing initiatives sustaining a thriving economy for Hood River’s businesses, residents, and visitors. Each project requires its own application, and applicants must demonstrate the ability to meet the matching funding requirements.
“Community growth and reinvestment are central to Visit Hood River as a whole, and to the Community Investment Grant Program specifically,” said Katie Kadlub, CEO of Visit Hood River. “We’re proud to offer this opportunity each year. The program is dedicated to supporting projects that introduce new events, programs, and initiatives, all aimed at enhancing, promoting, and sustaining Hood River as a destination.”
Since its inception in 2022, the program has awarded 16 matching grants totaling more than $78,000 to 12 businesses and organizations throughout the gorge. Examples include support for a non-profit focused on watersports activities and water safety, outdoor art gallery installations, mountain biking and recreation trail restoration funding, and assistance in developing collateral and online advertising for lodging properties to boost mid-week visitation.
The VHR Community Investment Matching Grant Program application and guidelines are available in English and Spanish on the Visit Hood River website.
English version available HERE.
Spanish version available HERE.
About the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce dba Visit Hood River:
The Hood River County Chamber of Commerce dba Visit Hood River is a nonprofit business association serving our tourism and business stakeholders. Located at the crossroads of the spectacular Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and the magnificent Cascade Range and just an hour from Portland, Hood River offers outdoor recreation, dramatic vistas, historic landmarks, bountiful fruit, and fantastic food, wine, beer, and cider. With accommodations ranging from luxury hotels to historic B&Bs, Hood River is a four-season destination for families, outdoor enthusiasts, weddings, corporate events, and more. It was named a Best Adventure and Explorations Town by the 2023 Sunset Travel Awards and Nature Lovers Destination in the 2022 Sunset Travel Awards, a Top 10 Wine Destination for 2017 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, and 2015 Best Adventure Town in the West by Sunset magazine. Visit Hood River supports economic development, community development, and destination marketing for Hood River, Cascade Locks, Mosier, Odell, Parkdale, Pine Grove, and Mount Hood. For more information, call 800-366-3530 or visit visithoodriver.com.
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