Neighborhood Festival Funding Program

The Neighborhood Festival Funding program is administered by the City of Aurora through its Community Services Department. This local funding initiative is designed to support community organizations and neighborhood groups that organize public events and festivals within the city. The program reflects the City of Aurora’s commitment to fostering civic engagement, cultural expression, and community cohesion by providing financial assistance for events that bring residents together. By prioritizing inclusive, publicly accessible programming, the funder aims to strengthen neighborhood identity and promote meaningful connections among Aurora residents. The primary purpose of the grant is to assist with the operational and logistical needs of community events that are open to the public and demonstrate a clear benefit to Aurora residents. Eligible events must take place within city limits, be publicly advertised, and serve a broad audience. The program emphasizes events that educate, organize, or connect the community, with past funded examples including cultural celebrations and neighborhood gatherings. However, events whose primary purpose is fundraising are explicitly excluded, as are events held at certain restricted venues such as River Edge Park. Funding is limited to necessary support services associated with hosting events. Allowable expenses include rentals for staging, sound equipment, tents, tables, chairs, portable restrooms, and costs related to general liability insurance, as well as security or emergency personnel. The program explicitly prohibits the use of funds for alcohol or tobacco-related purchases or services. Applicants must provide documentation such as invoices and proof of payment for funded expenses, and all funded activities must comply with local ordinances, safety regulations, and permitting requirements established by the City of Aurora. Each eligible organization may receive up to 1,000 dollars per event, or no more than fifty percent of the total eligible event costs, whichever is less. Applicants are required to submit a proposed event budget as part of their application. Only one event per organization is eligible for funding under this program. Additionally, organizations that already receive fifty percent or more of their funding from City of Aurora sources are not eligible. This ensures equitable distribution of funds across a wide range of community groups. To apply, organizations must submit a completed application along with a signed Hold Harmless Agreement and proof of not-for-profit status in good standing with the State of Illinois. Applications can be submitted via email, mail, fax, or hand delivery to the Community Services Department at Aurora City Hall. Additional required documentation may include financial statements from prior events and copies of relevant permits and service agreements. Applicants must also complete a separate Special Event Permit Application if their event involves the use of public property or services. The application review process is conducted by Community Services Department staff, who assess submissions for eligibility, completeness, and alignment with program criteria. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis beginning May 18, with funding awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. Evaluation criteria include the organization’s ability to demonstrate community benefit, the realism of the event budget, prior compliance with program requirements, and the overall quality and impact of proposed programming. The final deadline to submit applications is July 31, 2026. Applicants are notified of funding decisions via email. Events must be completed before December 31, 2026, and funded organizations are required to acknowledge the City of Aurora’s support in promotional materials. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact Diana Martinez at the Community Services Department via phone or email during regular business hours.

Clearly demonstrate community benefit; provide a realistic and detailed budget; ensure all required documentation is complete to avoid delays; apply early due to first come first served funding