Village of Libertyville Business Resiliency Grant 2025-26

Grant Overview

$5,000 Matching Grant for Small Business Growth in Libertyville Illinois

The Village of Libertyville Business Resiliency Grant gives qualifying businesses up to $5,000 in matching funds for growth projects, equipment purchases, marketing initiatives, and operational improvements. Applications run through February 1, 2026, but only $25,000 is budgeted total – meaning roughly 5 businesses will get approved. The kicker? It’s a 50/50 match, so the village becomes your business partner on whatever project you’re proposing.

Here’s what caught my attention when digging into this opportunity: Libertyville allocated three times more money ($75,000) to their facade grant program compared to business resiliency grants. That tells you they’re prioritizing aesthetic improvements over operational ones, which actually works in your favor if you understand how to position your application. The Start.Pivot.Grow. Micro Grant operates similarly with quarterly funding cycles, though without geographic restrictions.

Who Actually Qualifies?

Let’s cut through the bureaucratic language. You need a brick-and-mortar business that’s been operating in Libertyville for at least a year, generates sales tax for the village, and serves walk-in customers. Home-based businesses and nonprofits are out. You also need at least two years left on your lease from when you apply.

Q: Can I apply if I just opened my business?
A: No. Minimum one year of operation required.

Q: What if I’m month-to-month on my lease?
A: You need a minimum 2-year lease term remaining.

Q: Do online businesses qualify?
A: Only if you have significant walk-in customer traffic.

The village staff can require you to work with an Illinois Small Business Development Center counselor to develop or refine your business plan. Don’t see this as a hurdle – it’s actually free consulting that can strengthen your application and your business strategy. Similar requirements exist for other local funding like the Illinois SEDI Small Business Grant which also emphasizes business planning.

What Projects Actually Get Approved

The grant covers equipment, technology, professional services, physical improvements that expand offerings, marketing campaigns, business plan development, succession planning, outdoor displays, signage, sustainability improvements, and fire safety upgrades. But here’s the real story: they want to see transformation, not maintenance.

General operations, routine maintenance, and simple replacements won’t cut it. Staff reviews each application to see if your proposed use actually meets program objectives. Think expansion, not upkeep.

Recent approvals include Ultimate Ninjas getting funding for their new Lil’ Ninjas gym construction – a perfect example of expansion that serves families and builds community connections. That project shows exactly what Libertyville wants to support: businesses growing their capacity to serve more customers in new ways.

Q: Can I buy new computer equipment?
A: Yes, if it expands capabilities or improves efficiency.

Q: What about routine repairs?
A: No. Must be growth or expansion related.

Q: Are marketing expenses covered?
A: Yes, especially digital campaigns and plan development.

Q: Can I use funds for employee training?
A: Professional services are eligible if they support program goals.

Q: What about inventory purchases?
A: No, operational costs aren’t covered.

How the Application Process Really Works

First, you can schedule a pre-application meeting with village staff. This isn’t required but it’s smart – they’ll tell you if your project fits before you waste time on paperwork. The Santander X Cultivate program also emphasizes early consultation to improve success rates.

You’ll submit an application form, property owner authorization if needed, cost estimates, project documentation, and business plan if available. Staff reviews and approves or denies relatively quickly since this doesn’t require Village Board approval like the facade grants do.

If approved, you sign a letter of understanding, get any necessary permits, complete your project, then submit reimbursement documentation with receipts, contracts, invoices, completion photos, and a W-9 form.

Timeline and Critical Dates

Applications are accepted ongoing through February 1, 2026, subject to funding availability. With only $25,000 allocated and $5,000 maximum awards, approximately 5 businesses will receive funding. The village may budget additional rounds next fiscal year, but that’s not guaranteed.

You have 12 months from approval to complete your project and request reimbursement. The village will issue a 1099-G tax form since grant funds count as taxable income.

What Makes Applications Win vs. Lose

Winning applications connect their project to measurable business outcomes and community benefits. Instead of “I need new equipment,” successful applicants explain how specific equipment will allow them to serve more customers, expand service offerings, or operate more efficiently.

The village is essentially becoming your business partner on whatever you’re proposing. They want to see solid business logic behind your request. Applications that treat this like free money rather than an investment partnership typically get rejected.

Q: Do I need professional cost estimates?
A: Yes. Quotes, contracts, or equivalent documentation required.

Q: Can I apply for both Libertyville grant programs?
A: No. One award per business per five-year period.

Q: When do I actually get the money?
A: After project completion, documentation submission, and reimbursement approval.

Staff specifically looks for projects that align with village goals of supporting existing business growth and economic development. The community benefit section of your application is crucial – explain how your success translates into local economic benefits like job retention, increased sales tax revenue, or enhanced customer experiences.

The Real Competition You’re Facing

With multiple businesses competing for limited funds, you need to understand what sets winning applications apart. The village wants to invest in businesses that will stick around and contribute to Libertyville’s economic future long-term. That’s why they require the two-year lease minimum.

Applications succeed when they tell a compelling story about transformation and community impact. Similar to the Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant for veterans, local grants often prioritize applicants who can articulate clear business growth strategies.

The optional pre-application meeting becomes essential when you understand the competitive landscape. Village staff can provide invaluable guidance on positioning your project for success and addressing potential concerns before formal submission.

Common Application Mistakes That Kill Your Chances

Most applicants focus on what they want to buy instead of what they want to achieve. The village isn’t interested in subsidizing routine business expenses – they want to see strategic investments that will genuinely transform your operations or competitiveness.

Another mistake: treating the community benefit section as an afterthought. The village staff evaluating applications are investing taxpayer money in businesses they believe will strengthen Libertyville’s economic foundation. Your application needs to demonstrate how your project creates value for the broader community.

Applications often fail when they don’t provide sufficient documentation or cost estimates. The village requires quotes, estimates, or equivalent documentation demonstrating project costs. Vague or incomplete cost information signals poor planning.

Maximizing Your Success Strategy

The most successful approach involves positioning your project as part of a broader business growth strategy rather than an isolated improvement. Include information about how this investment fits into your long-term vision for serving Libertyville customers.

Consider including customer testimonials that support your expansion plans, or data showing how similar improvements have benefited comparable businesses. The review process evaluates both eligibility and potential impact.

If you have an existing business or marketing plan, include it with your application. If not, be prepared to work with an Illinois Small Business Development Center counselor to develop one as a condition of receiving reimbursement.

Think about the community connections your business creates. The village values businesses that contribute to Libertyville’s character and economic vitality. Projects that enhance your ability to serve local customers or attract visitors to the area score well.

Smart Next Steps

Before applying, research what other Libertyville businesses have received funding for. Understanding successful project types helps you position your request appropriately. The village website doesn’t publish detailed award information, but you can ask during a pre-application meeting.

Calculate your total project cost carefully. Since this is a 50% match up to $5,000, your project needs to cost at least $10,000 to maximize the grant benefit. Smaller projects might be better candidates for other funding sources like the NASE Grants program which offers $4,000 monthly awards.

Prepare your documentation package before submitting. Having professional cost estimates, clear project descriptions, and solid business rationale demonstrates seriousness and planning capability.

Look, putting together a competitive application for local grants like this takes real strategic thinking. You need to understand the village’s priorities, position your project appropriately, and provide convincing documentation that your investment will benefit both your business and the community. If you’re serious about this opportunity and want professional guidance on crafting an application that wins, that’s exactly what we help businesses accomplish at Grantaura. CLICK HERE to get the GRANT PROPOSAL WRITING help.

Donor: Village of Libertyville

URL: https://www.libertyville.com/BusinessGrants

Focus: Business resiliency, small business growth, equipment acquisition, technology upgrades, marketing development, operational efficiency, sustainability improvements, local economic development

Region: Libertyville, Lake County, Illinois, United States

Eligibility:
– Brick-and-mortar business operating in Libertyville municipal limits for minimum one year
– Approved occupancy application on file with village
– Generate sales tax revenue collected by Libertyville
– Significant portion of operations from walk-in customer traffic
– Cannot operate as home-based business
– Cannot be not-for-profit entity
– Minimum two-year lease remaining from application date
– May require consultation with Illinois Small Business Development Center

Benefits:
– Financial Award: Up to $5,000 matching grant (50% of total project cost, reimbursement basis)
– Professional Development: Optional consultation with Illinois Small Business Development Center
– Local Recognition: Enhanced standing within Libertyville business community

Deadline: February 1, 2026

Terms:
– Matching Grant Structure: Village provides maximum 50% of project cost up to $5,000 per business
– Reimbursement Process: Funds distributed after project completion and documentation submission
– Award Limitation: One grant per business per five-year period
– Tax Implications: Recipients receive IRS Form 1099-G for taxable income reporting
– Completion Timeline: Projects must be completed within 12 months of approval
– Eligible Project Types: Equipment, technology, professional services, marketing initiatives, sustainability upgrades, physical improvements supporting expansion
– Prohibited Uses: General operations, routine maintenance, simple replacements

Author: Imran Ahmad has watched too many small businesses struggle with local grant applications that seem straightforward but require strategic positioning to win. Through Grantaura, Imran helps business owners understand that local grants like Libertyville’s aren’t just about meeting eligibility requirements – they’re about demonstrating how your success strengthens the entire community. His approach comes from seeing which applications get approved and which get overlooked, particularly with matching grant programs where the government becomes your business partner on growth investments.