The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to provide grants for the purpose of attracting, hosting and developing new events and festivals in Illinois or enhancing existing festivals and events.
Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State: Illinois
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/20/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year
Details:
Grantees must be able to match grant award dollar-for dollar; however, up to 25% of the required match may be substituted with in-kind contributions. Costs associated with hosting existing or repeat events and festivals will not be eligible unless documentation can be provided that the event was secured in direct competition with other states or significant enhancements will be made to the event or festival to increase the attendance from travel outside 50 miles.
Section 5(b) of the Illinois Promotion Act (20 ILCS 665) authorizes the Department to make grants to Illinois not-for-profit organizations, for-profit entities, counties, municipalities and local promotion groups to match funds from sources in the private sector for the purpose of attracting and hosting tourism events in Illinois and developing new events and festivals in Illinois or enhancing existing Illinois festivals.
Tourism Event is defined as an event, such as a major convention, trade show, sporting activity or festival, with potential to attract visitors from outside a 50-mile radius and to produce significantly increased economic impact for the State of Illinois through overnight stays.
Tourism Festival is defined as an organized series of public activities for a specific duration that may include, but are not limited to, cultural performances, exhibitions, fairs, or carnivals that may include music and the service of food and beverages.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $600,000.
- Award Range: $10,000 – $50,000.
Grant Period
The period of performance is expected to be February 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025.
Eligible Activities
Eligible Projects and Activities – Activities eligible for funding include, but are not limited to, the following costs associated with attracting and hosting events and festivals:
- Advertising and marketing activities directed toward areas outside of 50 miles from the event;
- Transportation and housing;
- Prize/award money;
- Building or equipment rental;
- Receptions and banquets;
- Registrations;
- Entertainment and speakers;
- Programming;
- Photography, postage and printing;
- Audiovisual;
- Telemarketing;
- Promotional items (to the greatest extent practicable, Grantees should purchase or use goods, products, or materials produced in Illinois or the United States for expenditures and activities for which grant funds will be utilized); and
- Temporary staff.
Eligibility Criteria
- Illinois for-profit entity
- County;
- Municipality;
- Not-for-profit entity;
- Local promotion groups.
For more information, visit DCEO.
