Grant Applicant

General Funding Guidelines

General funding guidelines that apply to all types of Accommodation Tax Grant funding requests are listed below.

  • Applications and the basis of funding for requests will be forwarded and reviewed by the Director of Economic Development or in the event of a conflict, the City Treasurer.
  • Accommodation Tax funding requests must be received, reviewed and a decision made by Administration or City Council prior to the event occurring. Retroactive applications are not permitted.
  • Accommodation Tax grants are not available for events that do not generate overnight stays.
  • The established funding metrics will be used to determine the recommended grant amount for an event.
  • Funding preference will be given to organizations and events that do not run a deficit.
  • Events that generate profit are eligible for funding. The level of profit generated has no bearing on the Accommodation Tax funding recommendation.
  • Large events that are deemed to be city wide in impact may be funded at a level that exceeds the recommendation generated by the evaluation metrics.

 

General eligibility rules that apply to all types of Accommodation Tax Grant funding requests appear below.

  • The event must generate overnight stays in Brandon whereby the overnight stay met the criteria for imposing the collection of Brandon’s accommodation tax.  Eligible room nights include any place in which accommodation is provided whereby the rental fee exclusive of taxes is $31.00 or greater and the accommodation provider collects and pays Accommodation Tax to the City of Brandon.  This includes but is not limited to an inn, housekeeping unit, lodging house, boarding house, rooming house,  hotel, motel, dormitory, bed and breakfast establishment, and resort hostel).  Campground stays and Airbnb's are not deemed an eligible overnight stay with regards to reporting on overnight stays projected or generated for the purpose of an Accommodation Tax grant.
  • The event must be held in Brandon
  • The applicant and or host organization must have no outstanding taxes, utility charges or other amounts owing to the municipal government and all properties owned by the Organization must be free of any City of Brandon Building and Safety Maintenance Orders.
  • Only events that align with Brandon First marketing strategies are eligible to apply for Accommodation Tax event hosting grants.  Personal events such as socials, weddings, and family celebrations are ineligible for Accommodation Tax Grant funding.  If you are in doubt as to eligibility for an event hosting grant, please contact Brandon First at 204.729.2156 or info@brandonfirst.com

 

Reporting and Reimbursement guidelines that apply to all types of Accommodation Tax Grant funding requests appear below.

  • The organization receiving an accommodation tax grant is responsible for completing the Final Event Report Form with the finalized information within 90 days of the event conclusion. If the grant recipient is unable to meet the 90 day timeline, please discuss with the Director of Economic Development. The Event Final Report Form is available under the I am a Grant Applicant/Final Report menu option.
  • If the final report shows a discrepancy between projected hotel room nights for the event and actual numbers realized, the final numbers reported will be put through the evaluation metrics and the amount of the grant will either remain the same or be adjusted downward based on the evaluation results. If room nights realized are significantly higher than projected there is the opportunity to submit a request for increased funding. Please discuss this with the Director of Economic Development.
  • Events approved for funding shall receive 40% of approved funds in advance of hosting the event with the remaining 60% to be paid out after receipt of the event final report, provided projected room nights have been realized, which is satisfactory to the City. Capital grants are handled somewhat differently, with details worked out between the City of Brandon and the applicant.
  • At its expense, the City of Brandon has the right to audit the books or financial records of any organization that receives Accommodation Tax revenues.

Frequently Asked Questions

The frequently asked questions and answers that appear below are applicable to all Accommodation Tax funding categories. Category specific FAQs will be found under the Funding Categories menu option.

Application forms for Accommodation Tax funding are available online or can be obtained by contacting the Economic Development Brandon office at econdev@brandon.ca or 204-729-2132 or toll free at 1-866-729-2132 or by stopping by the office located on the main floor of City Hall at 410 9th Street. Applications will be considered on an ongoing first come first serve basis by the City of Brandon through application to the Director of Economic Development. Applicants are required to submit the completed Application, no less than 90 days before the event.

All applications should be clearly written or typed using the same format as requested. The City of Brandon will review the application to verify that all information has been received. If there is missing information or documents, the City will notify the requesting organization of any additional needs. Once the application is complete, it will be reviewed utilizing existing evaluation matrix templates. The Director of Economic Development Brandon has authority to approve grant applications up to $20,000, over that amount a recommendation will go to City Council to approve the application during a regularly scheduled Council meeting.

The applicant or designate must be present at the Brandon City Council meeting when the funding recommendation is being considered. If funding is approved, a funding agreement will be drawn up for signature. The receiving organization is required to return two signed original funding agreements prior to the event taking place. If the documents are not returned, that is considered a rejection of the funding offer.

No, approved applicants will receive a 40% advance of the approved grant prior to the event after signing the funding agreement and the remaining 60% once the final report has been received and verified by the City of Brandon. If the projected room nights are not realized, the approved grant may be reduced. The final report is due within 90 days of the event concluding.

The level of funding awarded to an event is based on key items such as the room nights generated by the event, number of hotels / motels utilized, and media exposure. This information is not available until the event concludes. By only advancing a portion of the allocated funding, it ensures that the funding provided to an event is in keeping with the actual impact of the event.

No, only events that generate overnight stays (limited to hotel/motel rooms, Brandon University, B&B rooms) are eligible for funding from the Accommodation Tax Reserve.

Once the application is complete, it will be reviewed utilizing existing evaluation matrix templates. Based on the results of the matrix, the Director of Economic Development Brandon has authority to approve grant applications up to $20,000.

The Director of Economic Development will make a recommendation to City Council, based on the results of the matrix, for applications over $20,000. Brandon City Council will make the final decision on which projects will be funded and the funding levels for approved projects. Funding preference should be given to not for profit organizations and events that do not run a deficit.

Approval will take anywhere from 4-12 weeks.

The purpose of the accommodation tax is to generate revenue to support event acquisition, event retention, and/or capital repairs and upgrade initiatives related to same within the City of Brandon and non-event capital projects undertaken by the Keystone Centre that will support economic development and encourage tourism within the City of Brandon. Brandon City Council recognized event hosting as a significant economic generator for Brandon and one that would benefit from increased investment. New events typically take some time to develop a strong attendance, volunteer base and sponsors. These funds will be used to provide new events with time to build the necessary support for success. Existing events that are looking to expand but need some assistance to do so will also benefit from the available funding. Likewise recognizing that the event market is extremely competitive, the funds will be available to ensure Brandon is able to retain events that are actively being pursued by other communities. Last but not least, if capital improvements are the deciding factor between an event organizer selecting Brandon or going elsewhere, this tax can also be used to fund capital additions or enhancements.

The accommodation tax is 5% of the price paid for accommodation.

Application Process Overview

The funding application is completed on the appropriate forms found under the I am a Grant Applicant/Funding Categories menu option and submitted to the Director of Economic Development (EDB), City of Brandon.

The application is reviewed and any additional information / clarity sought.

Evaluation metrics is completed resulting in a funding approval or funding recommendation from the Director of Economic Development.

The Director of Economic Development Brandon has authority to approve grant applications up to $20,000. Applicant will be notified. If the application is approved, a funding agreement will be forwarded.

The process for applications over $20,000:

The Director of EDB prepares a report for City Council, circulates same for necessary sign offs and requests the report be placed on the next City Council meeting agenda. Typically City Council meets every two weeks, but this frequency changes during the summer months. A schedule of council meetings for the year can be found at Council Meetings

Applicant is notified via email of the funding recommendation, date the funding request will appear before City Council for consideration and the process to appear as a delegation on the evening the funding request will be reviewed. Applicants are not required to appear as a delegation, but are encouraged to do so if they wish to raise public awareness of their event or if they desire an opportunity to speak directly to Council with regards to their event or their funding application.

Please note there is a deadline for requesting to appear as a delegation. Details can be found online Speak Before Council or by contacting the City Clerk's office at 204-729-2296.

A Draft funding agreement is circulated to applicant for review but is not binding until Council renders a favourable decision and the Director of Economic Development signs the funding agreement.

Funding recommendation is reviewed by City Council at a regularly scheduled meeting with a decision typically made during the Council meeting. The applicant or a representative must be present at the Council meeting in which their funding request is being reviewed but is not called on to speak as part of the funding deliberations.

Assuming City Council approves an Accommodation Tax grant, a funding agreement is signed by the applicant and Director of Economic Development.

40% of approved funds are advanced to the applicant.

Event concludes and a final report is submitted by the applicant to the Director of Economic Development.

Final report is reviewed and room nights verified by EDB staff. If actual room nights generated match or exceed projections, the final 60% approved grant is paid to the applicant.  If the actual room nights generated are less than projected, the evaluation metrics is completed using actual room nights.  If the new calculations generate a recommendation for funding that is lower than what was previously supported, final payment will be reduced accordingly. If room nights realized are significantly higher than projected there is the opportunity to submit a request for increased funding.

Final payment is issued to the applicant following final report review.

Event Grant Application Categories

New Event

This category is typically suitable for applicants looking to bring an existing event to Brandon that has not been held in the city for at least three full consecutive event cycles or create a brand-new event to be held in Brandon. Event cycles are defined as 3 consecutive regular rotational years that an event has been held in Brandon such as annual, biennial, triennial, or other regular frequency.

Event Retention

This category is typically suitable for an event that has a history of being hosted in Brandon but is in jeopardy of no longer being hosted in Brandon or being shortened as a result of a variety of reasons, including but not limited to finances or a competitive bid from another community.

Growing an Existing Event

This category is typically suitable for an event that has a history of being hosted in Brandon but is looking to expand the event in order to attract a new market segment to the event which will result in increased room nights.

Capital Enhancements

This category is for repairs or upgrades of a capital nature that are required in order to host a specific event in Brandon. Capital funding will not be approved to position Brandon to pursue future events or for the purposes of regular maintenance. Non-event capital projects undertaken by the Keystone Centre are handled through a different process than what is described here.

Annual Events of Significant Economic Impact

This category is suitable for events held in Brandon for a minimum of five (5) consecutive years that generate a minimum of 1,500 room nights that are subject to the Accommodation Tax (campground stays do not qualify as room nights).  Events that alternate between Brandon and another location on an annual basis are not eligible for funding.

Learn About Funding Categories

Learn About Funding Categories

Final Report Guidelines

A final report form must be submitted within 90 days of the event or capital enhancements being completed for each Accommodation Tax Funding grant approved.

If the applicant requires an extension to submit the final report, this should be discussed with the Director of Economic Development via phone at 204-729-2131 or by emailing accommodationtax@brandon.ca.

Applications and Final Report forms are available online or by contacting the Economic Development Brandon office at 204-729-2132 or econdev@brandon.ca.

Final Report

Final Report Capital Form

Appeal Process

Requests for funding through the Accommodation Tax Program are reviewed by the Director of Economic Development who in turn approves funding (up to $20,000) or formulates a recommendation (over $20,000) for Brandon City Council.

Should an applicant be unhappy with the Director of Economic Development’s approval or recommendation to Council, they may request to appear as a delegation at the same meeting in which their funding request will be reviewed by Council to state their case and request Council consider approving an Accommodation Tax grant that differs from the Director of Economic Development’s recommendation.  

A request to appear as a delegation can be made online or by contacting the City Clerk’s office at 204-729-2296. Please note there is a deadline for requesting to appear as a delegation.

Once City Council has approved an Accommodation Tax grant there is no appeal process for their decision, as City Council is the final approving body for all Accommodation Tax grants.

Contact Us

For further information on Accommodation Tax funding applications, program guidelines and to submit a funding application, please contact:

For further information on Accommodation Tax funding applications, program guidelines and to submit a funding application, please contact:

Economic Development Brandon
204 - 729 - 2132
accommodationtax@brandon.ca

410 – 9th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6A2

For assistance in completing Accommodation Tax funding applications and final reports or tips for tracking room nights, please contact:

Brandon First
204 - 729 - 2156
info@brandonfirst.com


#1 545 Conservation Drive
Brandon, MB R7A 7L8

For further information on the Accommodation Tax remittance process or for information on guest refunds, please contact:

City of Brandon - Finance Department
204 - 729 – 2592
accommodationtax@brandon.ca


410 - 9th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6A2

Contact Us

City of Brandon
410 9th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6A2 
Phone: 204-729-2186
Mon - Fri: 8:30am - 5pm
Sat - Sun: Closed 
Stat Holidays: Closed

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