Thank you for your interest in applying for an LCTB mini-grant to further tourism in your community. Grant funding has been generously provided by the City of Lincoln and the Logan County Board. An overview of the grant requirements and expectations can be found below. The grant will open on January 1st. Deadline to apply is February 1st, 2026.
Total Funding Available: $10,000
5,000 for projects within the City of Lincoln
5,000 for projects with the County of Logan
5,000 for projects with the County of Logan
Grant Type and Criteria:
There are three grant categories, with different purposes and criteria as outlined below. Each grant applicant will be asked to select the category that best suits their project.
There are three grant categories, with different purposes and criteria as outlined below. Each grant applicant will be asked to select the category that best suits their project.
Tourism Event Grant: Applicants may request up to $2000
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Purpose: To support events that bring overnight visitors into the county.
- Criteria: Must provide evidence that the event will put “heads in beds”
Community Event Grant: Applicants may request up to $500
- Purpose: To support events that encourage residents of the county and surrounding areas to visit and shop within the county.
- Criteria: Must provide evidence that the event will increase spending at businesses within the county.
Tourism Installation Grant: Applicants may request up to $2000
- Purpose: To support the installation of features that encourage tourism within the county (murals, signage, statues, etc.)
- Criteria: Must provide evidence that the installation will encourage tourism within the county
All grant recipients must work with LCTB to allow for the distribution of LCTB materials to event audiences.
Timeline:
Application period opens January 1st- February 1st of 2026
Grant deadline: February 1st
All grant recipients will be notified by March 1st.
Application period opens January 1st- February 1st of 2026
Grant deadline: February 1st
All grant recipients will be notified by March 1st.
For events or projects that take place between January 1-March 1st, applicants may still apply and be reimbursed if selected for the award.
Remaining Funds
If not all grant funding is awarded by March 1st, the Bureau will host an additional RFA between June 1st and June 30th, 2026 to distribute remaining funds. Grant funds that are still available at the end of the calendar year will be rolled into the next grant cycle.
If not all grant funding is awarded by March 1st, the Bureau will host an additional RFA between June 1st and June 30th, 2026 to distribute remaining funds. Grant funds that are still available at the end of the calendar year will be rolled into the next grant cycle.
Who can apply:
Open to non-profits, businesses, and individuals. Schools, municipalities, and taxing bodies are not eligible to apply. Any applicant that is not a non-profit must provide matching funds for the amount requested. (i.e. if $1000 is requested, the applicant must provide an additional $1000 towards the event).
Open to non-profits, businesses, and individuals. Schools, municipalities, and taxing bodies are not eligible to apply. Any applicant that is not a non-profit must provide matching funds for the amount requested. (i.e. if $1000 is requested, the applicant must provide an additional $1000 towards the event).
Reimbursement process: Awarded applicants will submit receipts to LCTB staff. LCTB staff will provide reimbursement up to the amount awarded. Reimbursements can be expected within 15 business days of submission of receipts.
Proof of matching funds: Any applicant that is not a non-profit must provide matching funds for the amount requested. (i.e. if $1000 is requested, the applicant must provide an additional $1000 towards the event). Matching funds are not required at the time of application; however, proof of matching funds, in the form of receipts, must be provided prior to the event or installation in order for funding to be reimbursed. Failure to provide proof of matching funds may result in forfeiture of the award.
Allowable expenses:
- Advertising (paid advertising, boosted social media posts, print flyers, etc.)
- Event rentals (space rental, porta potties, decor rentals)
- Entertainment (bands, keynote speakers, etc)
- Material costs (decor, signage, technology)
- Installations (benches, murals, statues, signage, bike paths, etc.)
- Other, as deemed acceptable by LCTB staff.
Unallowable expenses: Personnel/staff salaires to manage any portion of the event.
Awarding of grant funds: Grant recipients will receive their funding in the form of reimbursement for receipts. If matching funds are required, proof of matching funds must be provided before the award is reimbursed.For questions about the grant, please contact director@destinationlogancountyil.com
