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Lisle staff recommends awards from $50,000 special-events grant pool; board gives consensus to proceed
Summary
After a short application window staff received eight initial inquiries and eight applications and recommended awards within the $50,000 FY26 budget. Trustees praised the quick rollout and gave staff consensus to bring award agreements back for formal approval.
Village staff presented recommended awards from the new Special Events Grant Program and asked the board to confirm next steps for contract approvals.
Program and process: The grant program was adopted December 2, 2024, and launched in late December with a shortened application period that closed in March. The FY 2025–26 program budget is $50,000; staff received applications requesting approximately $102,000 in total funding. Eight organizations attended mandatory workshops; six submitted final applications representing eight events.
Evaluation and award approach: Staff described a six-criteria evaluation matrix that weighted program goals most heavily, followed by event type (new/expanded/existing), ticketing/entry type, and application quality. The evaluation team used the weighted scores to recommend award levels up to the approved $50,000 budget. Staff emphasized an equitable approach and that awards are recommendations; individual grant agreements and any profit-sharing requirements for ticketed events will be handled in contract documents.
Trustee response and board direction: Trustees complimented staff for the rapid timeline and thorough evaluation. Several trustees asked for follow-up process changes to improve applicant guidance and outreach for future rounds and suggested a brief iterative review after the first season to refine the matrix and marketing. Trustee Duffy and others said they were comfortable with staff’s award recommendations and asked staff to proceed with bringing formal grant agreements and resolutions to the board for final authorization.
Why it matters: The program aims to grow local events and tourism, and to support downtown and community organizations. Because requests exceeded available funds, staff applied the scoring matrix to prioritize events consistent with program goals and to recommend award levels that maximize public benefit within the budget.
Next steps: Staff will notify applicants, prepare grant agreements consistent with program rules (including 50/50 profit sharing where required for ticketed events), and return to the village board with resolutions authorizing awards and contracts.
