2025 Tourism Private Sector Grant Program

2025 Tourism Private Sector Grant Program is sponsored by Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Supports Illinois-based organizations in attracting and hosting tourism events, including marketing and event programming.

CSFA | GATA | Illinois. gov Tourism Private Sector Grant Program Department Of Commerce And Economic Opportunity (420) ceo. tourismgrants@illinois.

gov Private Sector funding is for the purpose of attracting and hosting Tourism Events. Illinois Statue Authorization 20 ILCS 665/5 Illinois Promotion Act Illinois Administrative Rules Authorization Increase visitation and overnight stays in Illinois. Program-Specific Terms and requirements are included in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for this grant opportunity.

Nonprofit Organizations; For-Profit Organizations; Government Organizations; Illinois not-for-profit organizations, for-profit entities, counties, municipalities, and local promotion groups to match funds from sources in Private Sector. Illinois not-for-profit organizations, for-profit entities, counties, municipalities, and local promotion groups Credentials / Documentation Approved ICQ & PRAQ.

Documentation verifying the applicant is an Illinois not-for-profit entity in good standing on the date of application with applicable State authorities, including, but not limited to, the Illinois Secretary of State, Illinois Department of Revenue, Illinois Department of Labor, the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, or, if a unit of local government, a statement/resolution signed by the head of the unit of local government that the bureau represents.

Preapplication Coordination Competitive grant. Applications are due by deadline identified. All applications received by the deadline will be scored by an internal review committee; and, grants are awarded to the highest scorers until funding is exhausted.

Finalists will be notified via a Notice of State Award. Pre-award requirements must be met. A standard application package must be submitted and reviewed by the Department.

Each package should contain the following items: 1. Uniform Grant Application in fillable PDF format. (print, sign and scan signature page with submission) 2.

Uniform Capital Budget utilizing the template provided by DCEO for this project. The entire budget with all worksheets included even if the worksheets are not relevant to the grant opportunity must be submitted with the application materials. (print, sign and scan signature page with submission) 3.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure 4. Mandatory Disclosures 5. Program Specific Application/Narrative 6.

Advance Budget Form" Grant proposals will be reviewed on a competitive basis. Each application will be scored on a 100-point scale; with a minimum of 60 points required to be considered for funding. The Department shall consider the following criteria when evaluating the application submittal: Capacity, Quality and Need.

The Department’s internal review committee shall conduct an evaluation of each application. Criteria Selecting Proposals Merit based review. Funds disbursed based variable advance and/or need Deadlines determined based on the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Range of Approval or Disapproval Time The Merit Based Review process is subject to appeal. However, competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested.

Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Department within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published. The written appeal shall include the name and address of the appealing party, the identification of the grant and a statement of reasons for the appeal.

To file an appeal, applicants must submit the appeal in writing and in accordance with the Merit-Based Application Review Appeals Process listed on the Grant Opportunities page of the DCEO website: https://www2. illinois. gov/dceo/AboutDCEO/GrantOpportunities/Pages/MeritAppReview.

aspx. Formula Matching Requirements Section 510. 350 Matching Funds a) The Grantee shall provide Matching Funds to the Total Project Cost that: 1) Are identified in the budget of the Grant Agreement; 2) In no case shall be less than an amount equal to the grant award; 3) Are not other government funds or funds used to match any other grants; and 4) Are necessary and irrevocably obligated to the Project.

b) Allowable Match 1) Private Sector funds - Grant funds must be matched with dollar-for-dollar cash funding from the Private Sector. 2) Up to 25 percent of the amount required in subsection (b)(1) may be substituted with In Kind Contributions from the Private Sector for which the value is easily documented, such as hotel services and transportation company services.

c) Unallowable match includes: 1) Costs incurred or funds expended prior to the date of the grant award, unless those costs are approved by the Department as being otherwise compliant with the provisions of this Part and consistent with the purposes of the Act; 2) Post-Project costs not identified in the budget of the Grant Agreement; 3) Funds from sources other than the Private Sector (although they may be used to further the Project); 4) Funds used as match for other grant programs; and 5) Normal operational expenses such as payroll costs, office and equipment rental, utilities, etc. (Source: Amended at 32 Ill.

Reg. 13443, effective July 29, 2008) Section 510. 350 Matching Funds a) The Grantee shall provide Matching Funds to the Total Project Cost that: 1) Are identified in the budget of the Grant Agreement; 2) In no case shall be less than an amount equal to the grant award; 3) Are not other government funds or funds used to match any other grants; and 4) Are necessary and irrevocably obligated to the Project.

b) Allowable Match 1) Private Sector funds - Grant funds must be matched with dollar-for-dollar cash funding from the Private Sector. 2) Up to 25 percent of the amount required in subsection (b)(1) may be substituted with In Kind Contributions from the Private Sector for which the value is easily documented, such as hotel services and transportation company services.

c) Unallowable match includes: 1) Costs incurred or funds expended prior to the date of the grant award, unless those costs are approved by the Department as being otherwise compliant with the provisions of this Part and consistent with the purposes of the Act; 2) Post-Project costs not identified in the budget of the Grant Agreement; 3) Funds from sources other than the Private Sector (although they may be used to further the Project); 4) Funds used as match for other grant programs; and 5) Normal operational expenses such as payroll costs, office and equipment rental, utilities, etc. (Source: Amended at 32 Ill.

Reg. 13443, effective July 29, 2008) Quarterly reporting using PPR and PFR CFY ($600,000,) PFY ($600,000) BY ($600,000) Range and Average of Financial Assistance Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature Refer to Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Regional or Local Assistance Location 555 W Monroe St, 12th Floor Chicago, IL 60661, 1011 S 2nd St Springfield, IL 62704, 1020 S Spring St Springfield, IL 62704 https://www. ilga.

gov/agencies/JCAR/Sections? PartID=01400510&TitleDescription=TITLE%2014:%20COMMERCE Attracting or hosting major events within the State.

Indirect Cost Rate; Other; Agency ID Grantee Name Comptroller Name Start Date End Date Amount 26-331001 Discover Hyde Park DISCOVER HYDE PARK 01/01/2026 12/31/2026 50,000 26-331002 Ravinia Festival Association RAVINIA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION 01/01/2026 12/31/2026 50,000 26-331007 The Magnificent Mile Association THE MAGNIFICENT MILE ASSN 01/01/2026 12/31/2026 50,000 26-331009 City of LaSalle CITY OF LA SALLE 01/01/2026 12/31/2026 50,000 26-331011 Lemont Quarries Operations, Inc. LEMONT QUARRIES OPERATIONS INC 01/01/2026 12/31/2026 50,000