Applications for the District Development Grant Program are now being accepted until Monday, July 1.
The grant program, which stems from the Healdsburg Tourism Improvement District (HTID), aims to fund/support arts, culture, educational activities and other events that help enhance visitor experience and/or promote economic development within city limits.
According to a press release from former Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce director Carla Howell, “Approximately $70,000 will be available to local nonprofits which support arts, cultural and educational activities that benefit both the local community and visitors to Healdsburg.”
Priority will be given to events or projects that can help encourage visits in the slow season from November to March.
According to the chamber website, applicants may receive partial or full grants.
Leah Gold, a member of the HTID and Healdsburg vice mayor, said once the grant applications are collected, members will get together to review the applications and will then make a recommendation to the board, who will then select the grantees.
If the grant is provided, then the applicant must present data for use of funds and attendance within 90 days after the event.
Gold said the grant program is a good way to provide support for events that are also catered toward residents and helping arts in the community.
In years past, grants have been awarded to Corazon Healdsburg, The Alexander Valley Film Festival, Healdsburg Jazz Festival, Healdsburg Center for the Arts, Tuesday Concerts and the Healdsburg Museum.
Grants will be announced in August and will be funded in September 2019.
When applying, Gold said it is key to read the instructions carefully.
Those who want to apply can do so online at healdsburg.com/htid/.
The HTID was adopted in 2013 and includes all the lodging properties within the city. The transient occupancy tax (TOT) is 14%. Ten percent supports community services like the parks and recreation department, the senior center and the Foss Creek Community Center. Two percent goes to police and fire and another 2% goes to the affordable housing fund.
