2026 Event Grant Guidelines
EVENTS Grant GUIDELINES & APPLICATION
Lovin’ Lake County (LLC) recognizes and appreciates local organizations for the effort and time they put into our communities and events, which expose local non-profits, increase local businesses’ commerce, and attract visitors to our beautiful area.
Because it is in our region’s best interest to keep events strong and lodging occupancy rates high, Lovin’ Lake County offers Lake County businesses and organizations financial assistance through a Lake County Event Marketing Grant.
grant rules and evaluation process
- To qualify for a grant, events must occur within the Lake County, MN, lodging district.
- Grant awards range from $300 – $30,000
- The number of grants awarded varies and depends on the amount awarded to successful applicants.
- LLC requires a 50/50 match on all grants over $1,500
- LLC requires a 25/75 match for all non-profit grant requests over $1,500
- In-kind materials and/or labor expenses are ineligible for the project match.
- The event must begin within 3 months of the grant award.
- Lake County bars and restaurants will have a yearly cap of $10,000.
- At the time of application, the applicant must not have any outstanding or open Lovin’ Lake County grants.
- Grant recipients must submit all receipts and documentation from past events before LLC will consider new applications.
GRANT APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Lovin’ Lake County’s Mission is to:
- Promote and develop tourism and economic development through marketing and events.
- Stimulate Lake County’s economy and enhance the quality of life for all who live her.e
- Protect the area’s unique attributes to benefit all Lake County residents.
EVALUATION: COMPETITIVE PRIORITIES & ECONOMIC IMPACT
- LLC will prioritize events that enhance residents’ quality of life and visitor experiences.
- LLC will award grants to the most competitive applications that demonstrate significant economic impact.
- LLC reserves the right to award full or partial funding.
- LLC will announce awards within 30 days of receiving an application.
- If awarded, grant recipients must incur eligible expenditures once the awardee fully executes the grant contract agreement and reaches its effective date.
- All award decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
APPLICATION:
- Cost Estimates – Applicants must express all expenditures in the grant application.
- Resolution – The authorizing applicant must apply, sign, and complete the grant contract, and then accept the project funds.
- Letters of Support – LLC encourages letters of support to strengthen your application.
- Tax Documents – IRS form 990 or 990-EZ and IRS form W-9.
GRANT RECONCILIATION:
For all projects, include the following in your reconciliation materials:
- Completed Event Summary and Evaluation Form
- Copies of receipts and vendor invoices
- Proof of payment for vendor invoices
- Proof of advertising tactics (if applicable)
- Proof of Lovin’ Lake County is listed as a sponsor on all advertising and marketing materials. Examples include:
- Listing our name or logo on your website/event page and linking to LovinLakeCounty.com
- Adding LLC as a co-host of the event on social media, print ads, T-shirts, banners, radio, & TV ads.
- If you don’t meet these conditions, you must return the funds.
Accountability & reporting
- Events CANNOT begin before the execution of a grant contract.
- Lovin’ Lake County reserves the right to require signage/logo acknowledging financial assistance from Lovin’ Lake County, or we may retract the grant and demand you return all funds.
- LLC encourages recipients to spend on event expenses within the agency service area.
- Grant recipients must submit a final Event Summary and Evaluation report within 30 days post-event, before LLC will consider any further grants.
- Recipients must return any unused grant monies to LLC, as proven by receipts, within 30 days of the event date. Failure to do so will result in legal action to recover the funding, and we will not authorize additional grants.
Additional Provisions:
- LLC will own any capital expenditures valued at more than $1,000
- Estimate to the best of your ability, participant and spectator data numbers (via the post-event survey)
- Lodging data collection (via post-event survey)
- Event grants cannot be used for any political purposes, including fundraising events for a political candidate.
APPLICATION
FINAL STEPS
Once your organization receives the grant, please complete and sign the contract and submit a W-9 for tax purposes. Once you meet these two requirements, we will disperse the funds to your organization.
You must agree to the LLC Grant Guidelines before applying for a grant. You will be directed to the application upon agreement.
Need Assistance?
If you need assistance or have questions about the grant application process, please get in touch with Michelle Peterson: