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Dublin City Council Approves More than $250,000 to Local Organizations through 2026 Hotel/Motel Tax
Dublin City Council has approved the 2026 Hotel/Motel Tax Grants, a fund designed to provide revenue to improve the quality of life for residents, corporate citizens and visitors.
For 2026, $253,829 was awarded to 26 organizations in support of community events and include:- Arthritis Foundation, Classic Auto Show and Cruise-In, $14,300
- Club Ohio Soccer, Nike Challenge Cup, $14,000
- Columbus Chinese Academy, Lunar New Year Festival, $2,800
- Crawford Hoying Foundation, The Dublin Market & Fore!Fest, $30,000
- Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Take Steps Walk, $1,874.67
- Dublin AM Rotary, Classic Car Show, $1,875.53
- Dublin Education Foundation, Elevate Education, $5,000
- Dublin Historical Society, Dublin historical Society Museum and Archives, $36,000
- Dublin Parents of Black Students Association, DPBSA Education Series, $200
- Dublin Parents of Black Students Association, Friendsgiving Gathering, $450
- Dublin Scioto Lacrosse Boosters, Ohio Middle School Lacrosse State Tournament, $11,184.44
- Dublin Soccer League, Dublin Charity Cup, $8,500
- Dublin Special Olympics, Shamrock Games, $1,020
- Dublin United, Dublin United Champions Cup, $7,530
- Dublin Youth Athletics, Wayne Williams Memorial Baseball Tournament, $21,000
- Federation of Asian Indian Association of Central Ohio, Diwali Festival, $7,669.33
- Global Asian Cultural Heritage Foundation, Ohio Moon Festival, $3,333.33
- Historic Dublin Business Association events, $36,000
- JASCO, Japan FestOH!, $12,466.67
- Ohio Premier, OP Invitational, $8,900
- Ohio Public Market Authority, North Market – Night Markets, $8,000
- Ohio Public Market Authority, North Market Wine Fest at Bridge Park, $9,000
- One Dublin, Back to School Celebration, $2,000
- The Adaptive Sports Connection, Boundless Freedom Veterans Adventure Weekend, $5,000
- The Glitter Guild, Glitter Camp, $1,333.33
- The Ohio State University Foundation, LIFEsports Summer Camp at Dublin City Schools, $4,391.33
The Hotel/Motel Tax Grant generates funds from a 6% tax on all overnight stays within the City limits. Annually, City Council budgets 6.5% of the previous year’s hotel/motel tax revenue to return funding to community organizations with planned projects that reflect the community’s goals and values.
Priority is given to projects that generate overnight stays in Dublin hotels; encourage support of Dublin businesses, restaurants and attractions; reach a broad audience and enhance or improve the community. The recommended funding allocations align with the City’s Community Events Roadmap and the City’s strategic goals.
“The goal of these grants is to provide revenue that enhances the City’s appeal to visitors and tourists,” says Chief Finance Officer/Director of Finance Matt Rubino. “Not only does it improve tourism in Dublin, but these funds are invested back into the community through events and projects that enrich experiences of our residents and visitors.”
Council approved the grants after a second reading at its meeting Nov. 17, 2025
