The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity to provide grants to certified convention and visitors bureaus outside the City of Chicago to assist with international marketing efforts.
Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
State: Illinois
City: Chicago
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/15/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The International Tourism Grant Program is important to the State of Illinois’ tourism industry to match/leverage local funds with State funds to promote destinations that are of interest to international travelers. The goal of the program is to increase international travel to Illinois by identified target markets.
Priority funding will be given to those areas with an extensive international product including bookable product with both receptive tour operators and international tour operators. This would include product in tour operator brochures and promotional material. Priority will also be given to those areas with state and national parks, national forests, scenic byways and have sites of historic and cultural significance.
Performance Goals and Measures
Applicant must identify performance measurements they will use to identify successful marketing outcomes. Such as:
- Number of international media and trade hosted on familiarization tours.
- Number of international media placements as a result of public relations efforts including the number of impressions and media value.
- Number of international advertisements placed and results.
- Number of tour operators that carry your product and in what markets.
- Number of bookings achieved with tour operators based on promotions.
Funding Information
Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is $1,000,000. Awards will range from $10,000 to $200,000.
Grant Period
The period of performance is expected to be date of grant execution through June 30, 2027.
Use of Funds
- Brochures;
- Advertising;
- Travel expenses;
- Familiarization tours for trade and media;
- Translation services;
- Trade Shows;
- Sales missions;
- International association fees for regional organizations such as Great Lakes USA and Mississippi River Country as well as US Travel Association;
- Promotional items, which should, to the greatest extent practicable, be manufactured or produced in the United States,
- Salary and fringe benefits for international program staff performing the duties set forth in the grant agreement’s scope of work.
Eligibility Criteria
- Has a valid FEIN number
- Has a current SAM.gov registration
- Has a valid UEI number
- Is in Good Standing with the Illinois Secretary of State, as applicable
- Is not on the Federal Excluded Parties List
- Is not on the Illinois Stop Payment list
- Is not on the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Provider Sanctions list
- Entities on the Illinois Stop Payment List and/or the Federal Excluded Parties List at time of application submission will not be considered for an award.
- Local Tourism and Convention Bureaus certified by the Department to receive funds and located outside the City of Chicago.
For more information, visit DCEO.
