City of Aurora Offers Up To $1,000 For 2023 Neighborhood Events

Neighborhood and community groups planning a public event in 2023 may apply for a Neighborhood Festival Funding Grant through the City of Aurora’s Community Services department. 

The application process is currently open. The first review of applications will be on April 24 and thereafter on a rolling basis. No applications will be accepted after Oct. 1, 2023.  

Funding, which is capped at $1,000 per event, is made available to assist neighborhood and community groups staging special events and neighborhood festivals for the public in Aurora which are designed to educate, benefit, communicate, organize and/or connect Aurora residents to build a sense of community. 

Neighborhood Festival funds can be used for necessary support services only, such as rental of staging or sound equipment, portable toilets, tents, tables and chairs, general liability insurance for the event, security or emergency personnel, or other similar “public” amenities. 

Events that have received Aurora Festival Funding in the past include Roots Aurora, the LaSalle Street Car Show, Juneteenth, and Dia De Los Muertos. 

The applications and required supporting documents are located under "Neighborhood Festival Funding Documents". Alternatively, organizations can contact the Aurora Community Services Department at 630-256-3400 or send an email to [email protected] and request an application.

Completed applications and required supporting documents can be submitted via email to [email protected], hand-delivered/mailed to Aurora City Hall, Community Services Department, 44 East Downer Place, 4th floor, Aurora, IL 60505, or faxed to 630-256-3329.

Questions about the Aurora Festival Funding program may be directed to Dee Hakala, during regular business hours, at (630) 256-3400.

Neighborhood Festival Funds also are available to support events that require a Special Event Permit from the City. The City's Special Events Division issues permits to groups who either hold events on City property or produce events that require City services such as having members from the Police or Fire departments present.