A Visit Bend Project

Bend Sustainability Fund

Translate this page

The Bend Sustainability Fund

A Visit Bend project. Taking care of the places that take care of us by investing in what makes Bend such a special place.

We invest in projects that create sustainable experiences in Bend’s community.

We are depending on our partners and local organizations to come to us with their big ideas. We look forward to funding projects that benefit all members of our visiting and local community that have a useful life of greater than 10 years and have a substantial use by visitors.

In 2021, we awarded $840,000 to eight projects, ranging from an urban bike park in Bend to a summit experience loop trail on Mt. Bachelor. Learn more about the projects we funded.

Bend Sustainability Fund Wants to Hear From You

Cast Your Vote

Your input is important!

Submit a ballot and help determine funding decisions for the Bend Sustainability Fund.

The Bend Sustainability Fund will award $1,000,000 to organizations in our local community working to protect, steward, and create sustainable experiences in Bend and the surrounding community. Community support of these projects is important and by submitting your ballot, you will help influence how this funding is awarded.

Five participants will be drawn at random and given the opportunity to select one of the organizations on the ballot to receive an additional $500.

Submit Your Ballot

Ejerce tu voto

¡Tu opinión es importante!

Envía tu voto y ayuda a decidir cómo financiar el Fondo de Sostenibilidad de Bend.

El Fondo de Sostenibilidad de Bend otorgará $1.000.000 a organizaciones locales de nuestra comunidad que trabajan en la protección, administración y creación de recursos sostenibles para recreación y experiencias al aire libre, en nuestra propia casa. El apoyo de la comunidad a estos proyectos es importante y al enviar tu voto, puedes influir en cómo se distribuirá este dinero.

Además, seleccionaremos al azar cinco participantes quienes tendrán la oportunidad de escoger una de las organizaciones para recibir $500 adicionales.

Envía tu voto

Taking care of the places that take care of us is our top priority.

Bend’s outdoor and recreational resources provide endless opportunities for outdoor pursuits, and the number of people craving the pristine beauty of our forests, mountains and rivers is on the rise. And while 90% of Bend’s visitors include an outdoor experience in their visit, their time spent here is not limited to our wild places. They are also enjoying our vibrant downtown, urban parks and recreation, shops, restaurants and breweries. It is our responsibility to protect all these opportunities and ensure sustainable and lasting opportunities for all.

The Bend Sustainability Fund reinvests tax revenue generated by visitors into the places and spaces that are important to our community.

How To Apply

We are looking for Shovel Ready Projects, that, with our funding, can hit the ground running. All known barriers that would inhibit the start or completion of the project have been cleared.

We make grants to projects meeting the following criteria:

Will protect, steward or create a tourism-related facility with an impactful life of >10 years
Said facility will have a substantial use by visitors
Has a clear timeline and measurable outcomes within the next 12 months
Has grassroots, community support

In case you missed the Bend Sustainability Fund Informational Session, here is the full recording and the presentation PDF.
This presentation provides an overview of the application process, funding criteria and program timeline. Still have questions? Email us.

The application period for 2022 is now closed. Submitted proposals are currently under review and funding decisions will be made, and funds distributed, in early October, 2022. If you have questions about your submitted application, please contact us.

Questions? We Have Answers