Special Events Grant Program

The City of Edwardsville, located in Illinois, has established itself as a vibrant center for community-driven cultural, recreational, and historical events. Its diverse range of festivals and gatherings attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually, contributing to the city's dynamic local economy. To further support and incentivize these events, the City administers the Special Events Grant Program. This grant is structured as a reimbursement program, aiming not to fully fund events but to alleviate specific financial burdens for nonprofit organizers. In particular, the grant reimburses eligible costs related to event marketing and city-imposed municipal service fees. The purpose of the Special Events Grant is to enhance the economic impact of public, no-cost events by fostering creativity and distinctiveness in programming. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations registered with the Illinois Secretary of State at the time of application. The grant offers up to $8,000 in reimbursable funds per organization per program year, which runs from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027. Only one grant per year may be awarded to a given organization, and only for free public events held within the City of Edwardsville. Entities with taxing authority are ineligible. Grant funds may be used for various authorized expenses, including advertising and promotional campaigns (broadcast, web, and print), creative design and printing of marketing materials, direct mail distribution, and the creation of event websites linked to the city's website. Reimbursement is also available for City of Edwardsville municipal service charges, such as police, fire, parks, and public works. However, the program does not allow the use of funds for items like prize money, travel, salaries, capital projects, or private entertainment. Expenses must be incurred and paid before reimbursement and within the defined project period. The application period for the 2026–27 program cycle closes on March 2, 2026. Applications can be submitted online during the eligibility window or via email to Economic and Community Development Coordinator James Arnold. Required supporting documentation must be submitted with the application and include evidence of nonprofit status, proposed event details, and acknowledgment of the city's sponsorship in promotional materials. After event completion, all receipts, a project budget recap, and supplementary documentation must be submitted within 90 days. Proof of payment is mandatory for all reimbursed expenses. This includes vendor invoices, receipts, canceled checks, screenshots of online advertisements, and samples of printed material. The program's administrative process involves review and approval by the City’s Recreation, Arts and Special Events Board, and applicants will be notified of award decisions via email. Notable past recipients of the grant include events such as the Edwardsville Rotary Criterium and Festival, Opera Edwardsville, SIUE’s Cougarfest Block Party, and the Land of Goshen Community Market. These examples underscore the program’s commitment to enhancing Edwardsville’s cultural footprint through community-oriented, accessible programming. Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out to the program contact with any questions prior to submission.

Include City of Edwardsville branding on materials; submit complete receipts within 90 days.