Visit Bend announces six Bend Sustainability Fund grant recipients totaling over $560,000
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Six community projects that range from new, lighted pickleball courts to creating new downhill mountain bike trails for riders of all abilities will receive more than half a million dollars in grants from the 2025 Bend Sustainability Fund, a Visit Bend project that funnels money from a lodging tax paid by visitors directly to local institutions.
The projects proposed by groups like the Central Oregon Trail Alliance, the Old Mill District, and the Deschutes Trails Coalition are all shovel-ready and will receive grants ranging from $19,660 to $193,000. The total amount awarded since the fund’s inception in 2021 now tops $3.38 million across 31 projects that have included building a pump track at Big Sky Park, helping with renovations at the Tower Theatre, and making climbing routes at Smith Rock safer by replacing bolts and other critical hardware.
An independent group, the BSF Advisory Council, received 10 grant requests during the application window from November 2024 to January 2025. The council narrowed the field to six winners. Visit Bend’s board of directors approved the projects Tuesday morning at their public board meeting.
Soon, the public will have a chance to direct Visit Bend to award an additional $1,000 each to two of the six projects through an upcoming online community ballot that will be announced through Visit Bend’s social media channels and on its website. Here are the grant winners for the 2025 funding cycle:
Old Mill District: Support the installation of four, level 2 EV charging stations.
Bend Pickleball Club: Provide lights for new, free pickleball courts that are coming to Pine Nursery Park.
Deschutes Trails Coalition: Help install two new, permanent docks at Cultus Lake and Paulina Lake to improve access for all users, extend the season, and enhance riparian areas.
Nature Connect Central Oregon: Help enhance the roof at Skyliner Lodge, serving local students and also as a wedding and event venue space.
Central Oregon Trail Alliance: Developing a comprehensive mountain bike hub at Wanoga Trailhead Sno-Park, including four new downhill trails for a diverse group of cyclists.
Deschutes County Department of Solid Waste: Boost recycling and waste reduction at Bend events.
“One of the best things about tourism is the opportunity to reinvest visitor dollars into projects that benefit our community directly,” said Zavier Borja, destination stewardship director for Visit Bend. “Each funded project shows thoughtful, long-term planning and a real commitment to sustaining Central Oregon’s environment, culture, and economy. Residents and visitors can both get excited about these kinds of investments.”
"COTA is so excited to be selected for this grant. The Bend Sustainability Fund funds so many good projects in our community and COTA is honored to be among this year's grant recipients." - Emmy Andrews, COTA executive director
“The Bend Pickleball Club is thrilled to announce that it has received a generous grant from the Bend Sustainability Fund. This funding will be used to enhance the Bend Park and Recreation District facility at Pine Nursery Park by adding overhead lighting to new pickleball courts planned for construction. As pickleball continues to grow in popularity—especially here in Bend—many players struggle to find time to play during daylight hours due to work, school, and other commitments. With the addition of overhead lighting, we can extend court hours of play for both locals and visitors, allowing more opportunities to enjoy the game they love. This project will not only increase accessibility but also will support the continued growth of pickleball in our region, strengthening our vibrant and active community. The Bend Pickleball Club is deeply grateful to the Bend Sustainability Fund for their generous support and dedication to enhancing recreational opportunities in our area.” - Kirk Foster, Bend Pickleball Club board president
Reinvesting room tax dollars into projects that support our local community ensures that the Bend we know and love today will remain a special place for future generations,” said Jeff Knapp, Visit Bend CEO. “These projects not only support the visitor economy that’s so important in Bend but also enhance the quality of life for folks who live here.”
Projects eligible for consideration are required to protect, steward, or create a tourism-related facility with an impactful life of at least 10 years and offer substantial use by visitors.
About Visit Bend: Visit Bend is a non-membership, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and enhancing the visitor experience while stewarding a vibrant and sustainable community in Bend, Oregon. We’re a leading information provider on Bend, Oregon, hotels, restaurants, activities, and Oregon vacation planning. Learn more at visitbend.com
About The Bend Sustainability Fund: The Bend Sustainability Fund, a Visit Bend Project, reinvests short-term lodging tax revenue paid by visitors into tourism-related facilities that create and steward sustainable experiences within Bend's community. The fund was created in 2021 to support the Bend community as a vibrant place to live and visit for generations to come. Since its inception, the Bend Sustainability Fund has awarded $3,383,094 to 31 projects. To learn more about the The Bend Sustainability Fund and to see what projects have been funded, visit sustainability.visitbend.com.
Visit Bend is funded 35.4% of the lodging tax generated through overnight stays by visitors within Bend's city limits. A portion of this restricted tax funds the Bend Sustainability Fund.
